Ubiquiti UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M 100GBase-AOC Direct Attach Cable
Overview
The Ubiquiti UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M (often searched as UACC AOC QSFP28 5M) is a 5-meter active optical cable engineered for 100 Gbps inter-switch and equipment clustering in data center and enterprise network environments. This cable uses dual QSFP28 connectors to deliver 100GBase-AOC performance, bridging the gap between equipment that cannot tolerate passive copper runs at distance. The 5-meter length is the critical spec here — it lets you span typical mid-range cabinet-to-cabinet distances without the signal degradation risk of passive copper DACs at longer reaches.
Key Features
- 100GBase-AOC Performance: Active optical technology pushes 100 Gbps throughput across 5 meters without passive copper's distance limitations. This matters when your equipment is more than 3 meters apart — passive DACs start losing signal integrity beyond that range.
- Dual QSFP28 Connectors: Both ends terminate in QSFP28, the standard interface on modern line cards and high-speed switch modules. No adapters or converters required if your endpoints are QSFP28-native.
- 5-Meter Span: Long enough to route between adjacent cabinets or across a row without introducing intermediate active equipment. Avoids cost and complexity of additional switches or repeaters for mid-distance inter-rack backbone connectivity.
- Fiber Optic Core: Inherently immune to electromagnetic interference — relevant if your cabinets sit near high-current distribution panels or RF equipment. No crosstalk risk between adjacent cable runs.
- Passive Rack Routing: AOC cables integrate directly into standard fiber management systems. No separate power or cooling consideration at the cable itself — the transceiver logic is integrated into the connectors, so you're just managing the fiber path.
- Interoperability: Compatible with Ubiquiti switching platforms and third-party equipment supporting 100GBase-AOC over QSFP28 ports. Always verify your target platform's exact QSFP28 port specification before ordering — not all QSFP28 ports support active optical mode.
Integration & Compatibility
The UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M works with any switch or line card featuring QSFP28 ports rated for 100GBase-AOC operation. This includes Ubiquiti's enterprise routing and switching platforms, as well as compatible equipment from other vendors in the same ecosystem. If you're upgrading or expanding a network backbone, confirm that both endpoints (switch ports, module ports) are explicitly documented as supporting 100GBase-AOC — some QSFP28 implementations support only passive copper (100GBase-CR), not active optical.
When to Choose a Different Model
If your cabinet-to-cabinet distance is under 3 meters and you want to eliminate the cost and power draw of active transceiver logic, a passive QSFP28 copper DAC may be sufficient. If you need longer than 5 meters, either use this cable for a shorter leg and introduce a repeater or switch at the midpoint, or consider a fiber run with separate SFP28 or QSFP28 modules at each end — that approach offers flexibility for future distance changes.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M is a practical choice for inter-rack backbone links in environments where distance or EMI rules out passive copper. At 5 meters, this cable eliminates the latency and cost overhead of introducing an intermediate switch, which matters in clusters where you're aggregating traffic from multiple equipment groups into a single uplink.
Technical Highlights:
- 100 Gbps full-duplex over 5 meters: Active optical transceiver logic built into the connectors maintains signal integrity across distances where passive copper (100GBase-CR) becomes unreliable. You avoid the 10–15% performance hit and error rate climb that occur when you exceed passive DAC distance ratings.
- Dual QSFP28 connectors: Both ends terminate in the same interface, so you don't need converters or breakout cables. Direct connection between line cards or switch ports saves space and eliminates a failure point.
- Fiber optic isolation: No electrical connection between the two ends of the run — EMI, ground loops, and voltage spikes on one side don't couple to the other. Matters in cabinet rows with high-amperage distribution or UPS switchgear nearby.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify QSFP28 port mode on both endpoints. Some switches support both 100GBase-CR (passive) and 100GBase-AOC (active); others are passive-only or active-only. Plugging an active cable into a passive-only port will not work, and the error messages from your switch may not make the mismatch obvious.
- Active optical cables draw power from the transceiver pins on the QSFP28 connector. Confirm your switch's connector specification supports active mode before deployment — older or cost-optimized line cards may not supply the required voltages.
The UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M is best suited to spine-leaf or collapsed-core topologies where you're aggregating multiple access switches into a single core switch or router, and the core equipment is physically 3–5 meters away. It avoids the cost of a second core switch and the operational burden of managing redundant uplinks for short distances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M with passive-only QSFP28 ports?
A: No. Active optical cables and passive copper DACs are not interchangeable — they use different connector pin assignments and power delivery schemes. Your switch port must explicitly support 100GBase-AOC (active optical) mode. Check your switch's datasheet or port specifications before ordering.
Q: What's the maximum distance I can run this cable?
A: The UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M is rated for 5 meters. Running it longer will degrade signal integrity. If you need greater distance, use a separate fiber run with SFP28 or QSFP28 transceivers at each end.
Q: Does the cable require external power?
A: No. Active optical transceiver logic draws power from the QSFP28 connector pins themselves. As long as your switch port supports active mode and supplies the required connector voltages, the cable is self-powered.
Q: Is the UACC-AOC-QSFP28-5M hot-swappable?
A: Yes. Like all QSFP28 modules and cables, it can be installed or removed while the switch is powered on and operational. Ensure the port is in a quiescent state (no traffic) during the swap to avoid momentary packet loss on that link.
Q: What gear does this cable work with?
A: It is compatible with Ubiquiti switching platforms and third-party equipment with QSFP28 ports rated for 100GBase-AOC operation. Always verify compatibility with your specific hardware before purchase.
Q: How does active optical compare to passive copper for the same distance?
A: Passive copper DACs are cheaper and consume no power, but they have strict distance limits (typically under 3 meters for 100G). Active optical costs more but scales to 5+ meters and is immune to EMI. Choose passive if your cabinets are close; choose active if distance or interference is a factor.
