Ubiquiti UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M 10 Gbps Direct Attach Cable
Overview
The Ubiquiti UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M is a 1-meter passive direct attach cable engineered for short-reach datacenter and network infrastructure deployments. It features dual SFP+ connectors and twinax construction, delivering 10 Gbps connectivity without the cost and power draw of active optics or separate transceiver modules. The compact 3.3-foot form factor makes it ideal for equipment rack and chassis interconnections—typical installations keep cable runs under 10 meters where passive direct attach remains reliable. The model number UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M appears on all packaging and vendor documentation.
Key Features
- 10GBase-CU Passive Direct Attach: No power consumption, no active electronics, no transceiver replacement headaches. Straight copper-to-copper twinax construction means lower latency and zero additional power draw on your switch fabric—a meaningful savings when deploying dozens of interconnects in a densely cabled rack.
- 1-Meter (3.3-Foot) Length: Sized for short-haul equipment-to-equipment connections. Passive direct attach performance degrades over longer distances; if your run exceeds 10 meters, you'll need either an active cable or transceiver-based optics instead.
- SFP+ Connector Type: Works with any standard SFP+-compatible port. This includes Ubiquiti UniFi switches, EdgeSwitch systems, and third-party hardware supporting 10GBase-CU direct attach—no proprietary connectors, no forced ecosystem lock-in.
- Plug-and-Play Installation: No additional modules, no firmware updates, no configuration. Connect both ends to SFP+ ports and the link negotiates immediately. Eliminates assembly and setup delays in brownfield network upgrades.
- Cost Efficiency for Rack Cabling: Direct attach cables cost roughly 60–70% less than comparable active DAC cables or small-form-factor optics. When you're cabling a multi-switch spine-and-leaf fabric, those savings compound across tens or hundreds of ports.
- Industry-Standard Passive DAC: This cable conforms to 10GBase-CU specifications. It is compatible with Ubiquiti networking equipment and standard SFP+-compatible infrastructure, supporting typical datacenter switching platforms where short interconnects dominate.
Integration & Compatibility
The UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M integrates directly with Ubiquiti UniFi switching platforms and EdgeSwitch systems. It also works with any third-party hardware featuring standard SFP+ ports that support 10GBase-CU passive direct attach—this includes many data center switches, blade chassis, and network appliances. Installation requires no additional transceivers, modules, or power supplies. Plug both connectors into available SFP+ ports and the link is live. No driver software or firmware patches needed.
Deployment Context
Deploy the UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M when you need 10 Gbps connectivity between adjacent equipment in a single rack or across a single row of a larger datacenter frame. Typical use cases include spine-to-leaf fabric cabling, switch-to-storage interconnects, and uplink aggregation in compact deployments. For longer runs (beyond 10 meters), outdoor cabling, or situations requiring cable management flexibility, consider active DAC options or network cabling accessories like bend-limiting conduit. For centralized NVR deployments where you need high-bandwidth recording connectivity, this cable suits network video recorders with SFP+ uplink ports.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the maximum distance for the UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M?
A: Passive direct attach cables are rated up to approximately 10 meters (33 feet) depending on cable quality and switch port implementation. The 1-meter length of this model is well within the safe passive range and is designed specifically for short-haul rack-level connections.
Q: Does this cable require external power?
A: No. Passive direct attach cables draw no power. The cable is entirely passive twinax copper—no active chips or transceivers. Both your switch ports must provide the 10G electrical signaling.
Q: Is the UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M compatible with non-Ubiquiti SFP+ ports?
A: Yes. The cable uses standard 10GBase-CU (SFP+ direct attach) connectors and works with any SFP+-compatible equipment that supports 10GBase-CU signaling. This includes many third-party switches and network appliances from other vendors.
Q: Can I use this cable to connect a camera or NVR to a switch?
A: Typically, no. Most security cameras and smaller NVRs have Gigabit Ethernet (1G) or 10G RJ-45 ports, not SFP+ ports. This cable is designed for switch-to-switch or switch-to-appliance (with SFP+ ports) connections. Check your device's port specifications before purchasing.
Q: How does passive direct attach compare to optics-based 10G connectivity?
A: Passive DAC is simpler, cheaper, and draws no power, but it's limited to shorter distances (under 10 meters). Optics-based solutions (SFP+ transceivers + fiber) support much longer runs and offer more deployment flexibility, but cost roughly 5–10x more. For rack-level cabling, passive DAC usually wins on ROI.
Q: What should I do if my cable run exceeds 10 meters?
A: Consider an active direct attach cable (higher power consumption, longer range) or a transceiver-based solution with single-mode or multimode fiber. Ubiquiti and third-party vendors both offer SFP+ module options for longer-haul work.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The UACC-DAC-SFP10-1M is a straightforward passive direct attach cable—no surprises, no active electronics, which is exactly what you want for short-reach datacenter work. At 1 meter, this cable sits at the sweet spot for rack-to-rack or switch-to-appliance uplinks where you're staying under 10 meters and don't want to burn money on transceivers or active optics.
Technical Highlights:
- 10GBase-CU Passive Twinax: Zero power draw, zero latency penalty beyond the copper propagation delay. In a densely cabled spine-and-leaf fabric, eliminating active power consumption and heat dissipation on dozens of interconnects translates directly to lower cooling costs and fewer failure modes.
- 1-Meter Length: Passive DAC works reliably up to about 10 meters in most conditions; beyond that, signal integrity degrades and bit errors climb. This 1-meter cable is conservative and purpose-built for equipment-to-equipment connections inside a single rack or adjacent racks.
- Standard SFP+ Connectors: Not proprietary. Works with Ubiquiti UniFi, EdgeSwitch, and any vendor whose SFP+ ports support 10GBase-CU. No vendor lock-in, no special driver software, no firmware surprises.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify both ends have SFP+ ports rated for direct attach (10GBase-CU). Some lower-cost switches offer SFP+ ports but only support transceiver modules, not passive DAC. Check datasheets or contact the switch manufacturer if uncertain.
- Passive DAC performs worst over longer distances and in environments with high electromagnetic interference. If your run approaches or exceeds 10 meters, or if you're sharing a rack with UPS backup systems or RF equipment, test the link before full deployment or upgrade to active DAC.
Position this cable for datacenter spine-and-leaf fabric cabling, blade-to-switch uplinks, and NVR-to-core-switch connections where SFP+ ports are present on both ends and distances stay under 10 meters. If you're retrofitting an older switch or connecting to an edge appliance with only RJ-45 Gigabit ports, this cable is not applicable—use standard Cat6A twisted pair instead.
