Lenovo 3M 100G to 4X25G Breakout Active Optical Cable - 7Z57A03551

Lenovo 7Z57A03551 Breakout Cable

Overview

The Lenovo 7Z57A03551 is an active optical cable designed to break out a single 100Gbps connection into four independent 25Gbps links. This is critical for high-density server environments or network aggregation points where you need to connect multiple high-speed interfaces from a single port, minimizing cable clutter and maximizing port utilization. It's engineered for direct server-to-switch or server-to-server connectivity in data center racks.

Compatibility

This cable is designed to connect to Lenovo ThinkSystem Mellanox ConnectX-6 Lx 10/25GbE SFP28 Ethernet Adapters, including the 2-port PCIe Ethernet Adapter (4XC7A62580), the 2-port OCP Ethernet Adapter (4XC7A62582), and the CTO-only ThinkEdge Mellanox CX6 Lx 2-Port Internal Lock OCP Ethernet Adapter (BMHD). It effectively translates the 100Gbps aggregate bandwidth of these adapters into four 25Gbps streams, each terminating in a standard SFP28 connector.

Installation Notes

Active optical cables require careful handling to avoid damage to the fiber and connectors. Ensure the SFP28 connectors are fully seated in their respective ports. While specific torque specifications are not provided for this accessory, proper insertion force is generally sufficient for a secure connection. The cable itself is passive in terms of power draw from the host system, but the optical transceivers within the cable require power from the host ports to operate.