Vertiv CBL0183 USB-A to Micro-USB Data Transfer Cable for Avocent KVM and SFIQ
Overview
The Vertiv CBL0183 is a 30-inch (2.5 ft) USB 2.0 Type-A to Micro-USB-B data transfer cable designed specifically for use with Avocent SFIQ interface modules, KVM switches, and compatible server management hardware. If you are deploying or servicing an Avocent AV3108, AV3216, or any of the DAC-series KVM switches (1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, 8032DAC), the CBL0183 is the correct replacement or supplemental cable to keep on hand. At 30 inches, it provides enough reach to connect a rack-mounted server or interface module to a nearby KVM without creating cable management headaches, while remaining short enough to avoid excess slack in dense rack environments.
Key Features
- USB 2.0 Type-A Male Connector (Host End): Plugs directly into the USB-A port on a KVM switch or server without requiring an adapter. USB 2.0 bandwidth is more than sufficient for KVM HID data (keyboard, mouse signaling), so you are not over-engineering the connection.
- Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B Male Connector (Device End): Mates with the Micro-USB port found on Avocent SFIQ interface modules — the small form-factor connector that is standard on this module family. Using the correct connector type prevents wear on the module's port from forced or mismatched connections.
- 30-Inch (2.5 ft) Cable Length: Sized for within-rack or top-of-rack connections. In a standard 42U rack, a 30-inch cable reaches comfortably from a 1U KVM shelf to a server two to four units away. If the KVM and interface module are in different racks or require over-rack routing, a longer cable or extender will be needed — this length is purpose-built for close-proximity installation.
- Verified Device Compatibility: Confirmed supported devices include KVM switches, servers, and interface modules in the Avocent line — specifically the AV3108, AV3216, 1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, and 8032DAC models. Using the manufacturer-confirmed cable eliminates guesswork when provisioning replacement cables for an existing Avocent deployment.
- Data Transfer Cable Designation: This is a data cable, not a charging-only or power-only cable. It carries USB data signals required for KVM console switching and interface module communication — a distinction that matters when sourcing replacements, since many Micro-USB cables on the market are charge-only and will not pass data.
- Vertiv AVOCENT Brand Lineage: Sold under the Vertiv AVOCENT brand, meaning it is factory-new and sourced to match the hardware it supports. Pairing manufacturer-matched cables with Avocent KVM hardware reduces the risk of intermittent connectivity issues that can occur with generic substitutes in high-reliability data center environments.
Integration and Compatibility
The CBL0183 integrates directly with the Vertiv Avocent KVM and infrastructure product line, specifically the SFIQ interface module ecosystem. The SFIQ (Small Form-factor Interface Qualifier) modules connect servers to Avocent KVM switches, and the Micro-USB connection on these modules is what the CBL0183 services. Confirmed compatible KVM platforms include the AV3108 (8-port), AV3216 (16-port), and the full DAC series (1016DAC through 8032DAC), covering most mid-to-large enterprise KVM deployments in the Avocent portfolio.
If you are building out or refreshing a data center KVM infrastructure, stocking spare CBL0183 cables alongside your SFIQ modules is straightforward preventive maintenance — these cables are a common point of wear in high-touch server rooms. For new deployments, consult your KVM accessories checklist to confirm cable quantities match your SFIQ module count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What KVM switches is the CBL0183 compatible with?
A: The CBL0183 is confirmed compatible with the following Avocent models: AV3108, AV3216, 1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, and 8032DAC. It is also supported for use with Avocent SFIQ interface modules and compatible servers.
Q: Is the CBL0183 a data cable or a charging cable?
A: It is a data transfer cable. The CBL0183 carries USB 2.0 data signals, which is required for KVM console switching and interface module communication. Many generic Micro-USB cables are charge-only and will not function correctly in this application — confirm any replacement is a full data cable.
Q: How long is the CBL0183?
A: The CBL0183 is 2.50 feet (30 inches) long. This length is designed for within-rack or close-proximity rack connections between a KVM switch and a nearby server or SFIQ interface module.
Q: What connectors does the CBL0183 use?
A: One end is USB 2.0 Type-A Male (connects to the KVM switch or server USB-A port). The other end is Micro-USB 2.0 Type-B Male (connects to the SFIQ interface module's Micro-USB port).
Q: Can I use a generic Micro-USB cable instead of the CBL0183?
A: Physically, a standard Micro-USB data cable may fit, but Vertiv specifies the CBL0183 for use with Avocent SFIQ modules and KVM switches. Using manufacturer-matched cabling reduces the risk of intermittent data errors in production KVM environments. Generic charge-only Micro-USB cables will not work at all since they do not carry data.
Q: Is the CBL0183 subject to California Prop 65 warnings?
A: Yes. Per Vertiv's product documentation, the plastic used in CBL0183 cable products can expose users to lead and lead compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. See P65Warnings.ca.gov for more information.
The CBL0183 is one of those items that gets overlooked until someone in the NOC pulls an SFIQ module to swap a server and realizes the replacement module shipped without a cable. At 30 inches and USB 2.0 Type-A to Micro-USB-B, it is the exact connector pairing the Avocent SFIQ module family requires — not a close fit, not a workaround. Stock it the same way you stock IEC power cords: at least one spare per active KVM deployment.
Technical Highlights:
- 30-Inch Reach: Sized for same-rack or adjacent-unit connections — long enough to reach a server two to four units from the KVM shelf in a standard rack, short enough to avoid slack buildup in high-density cable management.
- USB 2.0 Data-Capable: Carries the full USB 2.0 data signal required for SFIQ module communication. This is not a charge-only cable — the data lines are wired, which matters when sourcing replacements from any channel.
- Confirmed Avocent Compatibility: Verified against AV3108, AV3216, 1016DAC, 2016DAC, 2032DAC, 4032DAC, and 8032DAC — the core of most enterprise Avocent KVM deployments currently in service.
Deployment Considerations:
- If your SFIQ modules and KVM switches are separated by more than one rack or require overhead routing, 30 inches will fall short — plan for a longer USB cable or a USB extender in those layouts before the installation visit.
- Avoid substituting charge-only Micro-USB cables as a temporary fix; they physically seat in the Micro-USB-B port but carry no data, which produces a dead console session that looks like a firmware or KVM configuration issue rather than a cable problem.
The CBL0183 is the right stocking item for any IT team maintaining a multi-server Avocent KVM environment — particularly data centers running AV3216 or DAC-series switches where SFIQ module swaps are part of the normal server refresh cycle.
