Vertiv CBL0181 USB-A to Micro-USB-B Data Transfer Cable
Overview
The Vertiv CBL0181 is a 12-inch (1 ft) USB 2.0 Type-A to Micro-USB Type-B data transfer cable designed specifically for use with Avocent KVM switches, interface modules, and servers in data center and server room environments. If you are managing a rack that includes Avocent DAC or AV-series KVM infrastructure, the CBL0181 is the correct replacement or supplemental cable to keep console connectivity intact without improvising with generic consumer cables that may not seat reliably in rack-mounted equipment.
At just 12 inches, this cable is engineered for tight in-rack routing between adjacent 1U and 2U devices — long enough to make the connection, short enough to avoid the cable management headaches that come with excess slack behind patch panels and KVM drawers. The short run also reduces signal degradation risk, which matters on USB 2.0 connections where cumulative cable length affects data integrity in high-density switching environments.
Key Features
- USB 2.0 Type-A Male to Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B Male: Both ends are the correct connector types for Avocent interface modules and KVM switches in the supported compatibility list — no adapters required, which eliminates an extra failure point in a console path you cannot afford to lose during a maintenance window.
- 12-Inch (1 ft) Cable Length: Sized for in-rack use between adjacent units. If your KVM and target server or interface module are more than a single rack unit apart, plan your routing before ordering — this cable is not intended for inter-rack runs or extended patch distances.
- Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B Connector: The Micro-B connector is the correct form factor for Avocent interface module management ports. This is not a Micro-B charging cable repurposed for data — it is a data transfer cable rated for the management traffic these devices generate.
- Verified KVM Switch and Server Compatibility: Supported devices include Avocent AV3108, AV3216, and the full DAC family (1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, 8032DAC). If your Avocent deployment uses any of these models, the CBL0181 is the manufacturer-designated cable for the connection.
- Interface Module Support: Beyond KVM switches and servers, the CBL0181 is also listed as compatible with Avocent interface modules — the interposer devices that sit between the KVM switch and target servers. In large Avocent deployments with many interface modules, keeping spare CBL0181 cables on the shelf is standard practice.
Integration and Compatibility
The CBL0181 is verified compatible with the following Avocent products under the Vertiv brand: AV3108, AV3216, 1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, and 8032DAC. These are digital access switch and KVM-over-IP platforms commonly deployed in colocation, enterprise data centers, and managed hosting environments. If you are running a different Avocent or Vertiv KVM platform not on this list, confirm the required cable type in your unit's installation guide before ordering — the management port connector type can differ across product generations.
For integrators building out or expanding Vertiv data center infrastructure, this cable fits into the broader KVM switch accessories category alongside interface modules, server cables, and rack management components. When planning a KVM deployment, also evaluate your rack cable management approach — at 12 inches, the CBL0181 works best when devices are pre-positioned in adjacent rack units before the cable is routed. Teams sourcing full Avocent KVM builds should cross-reference their KVM cabling guide to ensure every interface module connection is covered with the correct cable type and length.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which Avocent KVM switches is the CBL0181 compatible with?
A: The CBL0181 is verified compatible with the Avocent AV3108, AV3216, 1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, and 8032DAC. It is also listed for use with Avocent interface modules and servers in these environments.
Q: Is 12 inches long enough for standard rack installations?
A: The CBL0181's 1-foot length is designed for connections between adjacent rack-mounted units. It is not intended for inter-rack runs or connections spanning multiple rack units — verify device placement before ordering if your layout requires more reach.
Q: What connector types does the CBL0181 use?
A: The first end is a USB 2.0 Type-A Male connector; the second end is a Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B Male connector. This is a data transfer cable, not a charging cable.
Q: Can the CBL0181 be used with non-Avocent KVM equipment?
A: The evidence only confirms compatibility with Avocent KVM switches, interface modules, and servers listed above. Use with other manufacturers' equipment is not verified by the available product documentation.
Q: Is there a California Prop 65 warning associated with this cable?
A: Yes. The plastic used in this cable product can expose you to lead and lead components, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. See P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information.
The CBL0181 is one of those cables that only matters when it's missing. At 12 inches, it's purpose-built for in-rack Avocent KVM connections — specifically the Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B management port on interface modules like the ones used with the 2032DAC and 4032DAC. I keep a handful of these on the shelf in any data center build that involves Avocent DAC infrastructure, because the moment a cable fails during a console session, you want a known-compatible replacement in hand, not a generic Micro-B you pulled from a phone charger bag.
Technical Highlights:
- USB 2.0 Specification: Both the Type-A and Micro-B ends are rated for USB 2.0, which is the correct protocol for KVM management traffic on the supported Avocent switches — no over-engineering, no mismatch risk.
- 12-Inch Cable Length: Keeps in-rack cable runs clean and eliminates excess slack that creates management headaches in high-density 1U/2U environments. This length assumes adjacent-unit placement — plan your rack layout before cable ordering.
- Verified Avocent Compatibility: Explicitly listed for AV3108, AV3216, 1016DAC through 8032DAC, and Avocent interface modules — not a generic assumption, an evidence-backed match.
Deployment Considerations:
- Confirm your KVM or interface module uses a Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B management port before ordering — later Avocent and Vertiv generations may use different connector types not served by the CBL0181.
- At 1 foot, this cable will not reach across rack units with gap spacing or angled cable management arms — pre-stage your rack layout with adjacent-unit mounting for the KVM and target device before finalizing your cable order.
The CBL0181 is the right stock item for data center teams running Avocent DAC-series KVM infrastructure who want manufacturer-designated replacements ready before a console connection fails during a live maintenance window.
