HPE 100GB QSFP28 to QSFP28 7M AOC - 845410-B21

HPE 845410-B21 100GB QSFP28 Active Optical Cable

Overview

The HPE 845410-B21 is a 100GB QSFP28 to QSFP28 active optical cable (AOC) in a 7-meter length, designed for short-reach, high-bandwidth interconnects inside data center racks and adjacent rows. At 100Gb/s, it suits spine-to-leaf links, server-to-top-of-rack switch connections, and high-density storage fabric runs where passive copper DACs fall short beyond 5 meters. The active optical construction keeps the cable lightweight and bend-tolerant compared to copper at this reach — relevant in dense cabinets where cable management is already tight. The QSFP28 form factor plugs directly into 100GbE and 100G InfiniBand ports without an adapter or transceiver sled.

Compatibility

The 845410-B21 is engineered for HPE networking and server platforms supporting the QSFP28 interface, including HPE FlexFabric and Synergy interconnect modules, HPE ProLiant server HBAs and NICs with QSFP28 ports, and HPE StoreFabric switches in the 100G fabric tier. It also connects to third-party 100G network switches and adapters with industry-standard QSFP28 ports — Cisco Nexus, Arista 7050, Juniper QFX, and Mellanox/NVIDIA Spectrum platforms all use the same QSFP28 MSA footprint. Verify that the target switch or HBA supports AOC operation in its compatibility matrix before ordering, as some platforms restrict port types via firmware.

Installation Notes

AOCs are not hot-swap-agnostic in all configurations — confirm port power sequencing requirements on the target platform before live insertion under load. The 7-meter fixed length is non-field-adjustable; measure your actual rack-to-rack or ToR-to-server run before ordering to avoid excess slack or a cable that falls short. Route away from sharp bend radii: active optical cables tolerate tighter bends than passive copper but still require a minimum bend radius to protect the internal fiber. No tools are required for insertion; the QSFP28 latch mechanism is pull-tab actuated.