QSFP to QSFP Active Optical Cable, 100GBASE-AOC-BCC | Aruba Compatible 2 to 30 Meter

Q: Will this work in place of the Aruba JL856A?
A: Yes. This cable is designed as a plug-and-play replacement for the JL856A based on the QSFP28 form factor, 100 Gbps data rate, and 100GBASE-AOC standard compliance. It operates identically in compatible hardware without configuration changes.

Q: Which Aruba platforms support this AOC?
A: This AOC is compatible with Aruba switching platforms that include QSFP28 ports supporting 100 Gbps operation and 100GBASE-AOC signalling. Verify your specific switch model supports QSFP28 AOC modules and 100G port speeds before deployment.

Q: What is the maximum reach and does it depend on fibre type?
A: The cable contains internal multi-mode fibre optimized for the specified length (2M, 7M, 15M, or 30M). Unlike a transceiver, the reach is fixed by the cable assembly length you select. All variants use 850nm wavelength and support the full 100 Gbps rate across all four lanes.

Q: Can I monitor link parameters or temperature via the management interface?
A: Yes. The QSFP28 module ends include I2C-accessible diagnostic monitoring for parameters such as temperature, voltage, transmit power, and receive power per lane. This allows real-time link health monitoring through your switch management interface or CLI.

Q: Does this AOC require specific FEC settings or is it FEC-agnostic?
A: AOCs are typically FEC-agnostic at the physical layer since the fibre link budget is controlled by the fixed-length assembly. However, if your switch or host enforces FEC for 100G ports, configure RS-FEC (IEEE 802.3bj Clause 91) to match the port policy. Consult your switch documentation for default FEC behaviour.