Ubiquiti UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M 25 Gbps SFP28 Direct Attach Cable
Overview
The Ubiquiti UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M is a 25 Gbps SFP28 direct attach cable engineered for high-speed aggregation within Ubiquiti switching infrastructure and multi-vendor SFP28-enabled environments. At 30 meters in length, this cable bridges the distance gap between rack-to-rack, switch-to-switch, and switch-to-server connections without requiring separate transceiver modules or optical breakout adapters — a cost and complexity reduction that matters at scale in data centers and enterprise spine-and-leaf topologies.
The direct attach architecture of the UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M eliminates the signal conversion overhead and component inventory burden of active optical cables or module pairs. You integrate the cable end-to-end between two SFP28 ports and move forward. This simplicity is particularly valuable in refresh cycles or migrations where you need predictable, plug-and-play connectivity without firmware compatibility questions or transceiver licensing.
Key Features
- 25 Gbps throughput: Supports full line-rate 25 Gigabit Ethernet, meaning you can saturate the link without oversubscription or performance cliffs. Useful for inter-switch trunking where 10 Gbps ports would bottleneck multi-camera, multi-NVR, or storage-intensive traffic across segments.
- 30-meter reach: Copper-based direct attach cables typically max out at 5–10 meters. The 30-meter length accommodates vertical runs in multi-story facilities or horizontal runs across large floor plates without requiring optical fiber or active electronics at the midpoint.
- SFP28 form factor: Compatible with any standard SFP28 port on Ubiquiti UniFi switches and third-party SFP28-enabled hardware. No proprietary connectors, no vendor lock-in.
- Low latency: Direct attach copper avoids the serialization delays of optical modules or long DAC chains. Negligible for storage or surveillance, but matters if you're deploying real-time analytics or time-synchronized industrial systems alongside your network core.
- No power or configuration required: Passive cable — plug both ends into SFP28 ports, auto-negotiation handles the rest. No firmware updates, no transceiver management dashboards, no failure points from module power supplies.
- Compact, rack-friendly: Weighs 0.5 lbs and ships as a single passive assembly. Simplifies cable management in dense rack topologies where every pound and cable diameter compounds handling complexity.
Integration & Compatibility
The UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M (often searched as UACC AOC SFP28 30M) integrates with any network switching platform that exposes standard SFP28 connectivity — including Ubiquiti UniFi switch lines, Arista, Mellanox, and other data center hardware. If your network core or aggregation layer runs SFP28 ports, this cable is compatible. Verify your switch documentation confirms SFP28 DAC support; a small number of first-generation SFP28 ports specify modules only, though this is rare in modern equipment.
Pair this cable with Ubiquiti network infrastructure deployments where IP surveillance, edge compute, and traditional IT workloads share the same switching backbone. The 25 Gbps capacity ensures that simultaneous high-bitrate camera streams, NVR replication traffic, and east-west data center traffic don't contend for bandwidth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M compatible with my SFP28 switch?
A: Yes, if your switch has standard SFP28 ports and supports direct attach copper (DAC) cables. Check your switch datasheet for "SFP28 DAC support" — most modern switches do. The cable is vendor-neutral and does not require firmware updates or special driver support.
Q: Can I use the UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M outdoors or in harsh environments?
A: No. This is an indoor data center or cabinet cable. Copper direct attach cables are not rated for temperature extremes, moisture, UV, or outdoor installation. For outdoor or in-conduit runs, specify optical fiber with appropriate outdoor-rated transceiver modules.
Q: What is the maximum distance for the UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M?
A: 30 meters. Direct attach copper cables beyond 30 meters experience signal degradation and are not IEEE-compliant. For longer distances, switch to active optical cables (AOC) or optical modules with single-mode fiber.
Q: Will the UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M work in a mixed-speed network?
A: Yes. SFP28 ports support auto-negotiation and backward compatibility with 10 Gbps (SFP+) equipment via adapter modules. The cable itself is 25 Gbps capable; if you plug it into a 10 Gbps-only port, it will run at 10 Gbps.
Q: Is there a shorter or longer version available?
A: Confirm with Ubiquiti or your distributor. Standard DAC lengths are 1m, 3m, 5m, and 10m. The 30-meter option is longer than most passive direct attach offerings; if you need shorter reach, standard 5m or 10m DAC cables are more cost-effective.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The UACC-AOC-SFP28-30M is a straightforward, low-risk aggregation cable for UniFi-based and mixed SFP28 environments. The 30-meter length is the differentiator here — most passive DACs max out at 10 meters, so if you're building a multi-floor backbone or running inter-rack trunking across a large floor plate, this cable eliminates the complexity and cost of optical transceivers or active electronics. No firmware, no module inventory, no compatibility surprises.
Technical Highlights:
- Full 25 Gbps line rate: You can aggregate multiple 10 Gbps ports or saturate 25 Gbps links without worrying about upstream bottlenecks — useful in multi-camera NVR setups where several 10 Gbps camera streams or replication traffic converge at a core switch.
- 30-meter passive copper: No power supply, no transceiver firmware, no licensing. Reduces your bill-of-materials and support complexity versus active optical or module-based solutions that require ongoing driver and firmware management.
- Auto-negotiation and backward compatibility: If a port runs at 10 Gbps or 1 Gbps, the cable adapts. Useful in brownfield deployments where you're mixing legacy 10 Gbps and new 25 Gbps hardware.
Deployment Considerations:
- Copper DAC signal limits: At 30 meters, you're pushing passive copper to its IEEE compliance edge. Test the link after installation and avoid running the cable in bundles with high-current power cables — electromagnetic interference can cause intermittent bit errors. If you see packet loss or CRC errors, shorten the run or switch to optical.
- Indoor only: Do not run this cable outdoors, through conduit in high-temperature areas, or in direct sunlight. UV and thermal cycling degrade the insulation. If you need outdoor aggregation, pair optical modules with single-mode fiber instead.
Best suited for data center, enterprise switching, and UniFi-based IP surveillance environments where SFP28 ports are already deployed and you need to avoid the cost and inventory burden of optical transceivers over moderate distances. Not a fit for outdoor backbone runs or industrial environments outside 0–50°C.
