Ubiquiti UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M 10 Gbps SFP+ Direct Attach Cable
Overview
The UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M is a 10 Gbps SFP+ direct attach copper cable engineered for high-speed, low-latency interconnection in rack and data center environments. The 3-meter length eliminates the need for active optics or longer fiber runs in standard deployments—meaning lower cost per link and simpler inventory management than optical solutions. Direct attach copper (DAC) operates at full 10 Gbps line rate with negligible latency, making it the preferred choice for switch-to-switch stacking, server-to-storage uplinks, and appliance interconnection where the run is under 10 meters.
Key Features
- 10 Gbps full-duplex throughput: No bandwidth throttling—delivers the rated 10 Gbps whether you're stacking switches or connecting a high-IOPS storage array to a compute node. This matters because any latency or throughput loss in the interconnect can cascade through your cluster.
- 3-meter passive copper cable: No external power required, no active electronics to fail. Copper is cheaper than SFP+ transceivers and avoids the licensing/interoperability friction that sometimes comes with optics. If your run is 3 meters or less, this is the most straightforward path.
- 10GBase-DAC standard compliance: Works with any device that supports SFP+ DAC—Ubiquiti UniFi switches, EdgeMax routers with SFP+ ports, and most vendor-neutral switches and servers in the enterprise market. You're not locked into Ubiquiti optics or proprietary transceiver modules.
- Low insertion loss and minimal EMI: The cable is shielded and impedance-matched for 10 Gbps signaling. This translates to reliable link establishment and zero retrain events once installed—important in production environments where link flapping means monitoring gaps and customer-facing latency spikes.
- Compact, field-installable: The SFP+ connector is small and robust. Installation is straightforward—insert into both SFP+ ports and you're live. No SFP+ cage tuning or firmware updates needed.
- Cost-effective for short runs: A 3-meter DAC cable costs a fraction of an SFP+ transceiver pair plus a fiber run. If your switches are within 3 meters (typical in a single rack or adjacent cabinets), this is the economical choice without sacrificing throughput or latency.
Integration & Compatibility
Deploy the UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M in any deployment using Ubiquiti switches or compatible SFP+ infrastructure. Common use cases include stacking multiple Ubiquiti UniFi switches for redundancy and aggregate throughput, upinking a storage appliance to a compute cluster, or connecting edge network equipment where latency is a constraint. The cable supports all standard SFP+ port management and diagnostics via standard SNMP or CLI tools on your switch—no proprietary software required.
When to Choose a Different Solution
If your run exceeds 10 meters or you need isolation across separate buildings, choose a fiber-based SFP+ solution (typically 10GBase-SR for multimode or 10GBase-LR for single-mode, paired with compatible transceiver modules). If you need passive copper but at longer distances, some vendors offer 10 Gbps DAC cables in 5-meter lengths, though attenuation increases and link reliability may degrade beyond 10 meters. For runs under 3 meters in a compact rack, the UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M is the right call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M with any SFP+ port?
A: Yes, provided the device supports 10GBase-DAC (direct attach copper). This includes most Ubiquiti switches, commercial enterprise switches, and storage appliances with SFP+ cages. Check your hardware documentation to confirm SFP+ presence and DAC support.
Q: What is the maximum length for reliable 10 Gbps DAC transmission?
A: Passive copper DAC is rated up to approximately 10 meters without active components. The UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M at 3 meters operates well within safe margins for signal integrity. Beyond 10 meters, signal degradation increases and link reliability may suffer.
Q: Does the cable support full-duplex 10 Gbps in both directions simultaneously?
A: Yes. The SFP+ DAC interface is full-duplex, meaning 10 Gbps transmit and 10 Gbps receive happen at the same time on the same link. No bandwidth sharing between directions.
Q: Do I need a separate power supply for the UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M?
A: No. Direct attach copper cables are passive—they draw no power. You only need two SFP+ ports with appropriate backplane support at each end.
Q: Will the cable work if my switches use different vendors (e.g., one Ubiquiti, one Arista)?
A: Yes, assuming both switches support 10GBase-DAC. The SFP+ DAC standard is vendor-neutral. Copper cables have no firmware or transceiver intelligence to negotiate, so interoperability is high.
Q: What is the shelf life and operating temperature range?
A: Copper cables are passive and have indefinite shelf life. Confirm with Ubiquiti documentation for detailed operating temperature specifications, but most DAC cables operate safely from 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F) in normal data center and rack environments.
Ted PerryPerspective based on aggregated IP Security Depot and affiliated engineering team experience.
The UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M is a straightforward, no-nonsense interconnect cable for switch stacking and server-to-storage uplinks where passive copper makes sense. At 3 meters with full 10 Gbps throughput and zero power draw, it's a cost-effective workhorse for data center and rack consolidation. The real value is avoiding the transceiver and fiber complexity when your run is short.
Technical Highlights:
- 10 Gbps full-duplex line rate: No throttling, no oversubscription. The cable delivers the full bidirectional 10 Gbps the SFP+ standard promises—critical if you're bonding multiple links or feeding a single high-throughput appliance.
- Passive copper construction: Zero active electronics means zero latency overhead and zero failure modes tied to optics. The cable either passes signal (it does) or is physically damaged (unlikely if handled correctly). No transceiver alignment, no firmware updates, no license keys.
- 3-meter length sweet spot: Long enough to span typical single-rack or adjacent-cabinet distances. Short enough to stay well under the 10-meter passive DAC limit, meaning excellent margin for signal integrity. No active repeaters or boosters needed.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify that both endpoints support SFP+ DAC before ordering. Not all switches expose SFP+ cages—some are fiber-only or have limited high-speed uplink counts. Check your switch datasheet for SFP+ port presence and 10GBase-DAC compatibility.
- Route the cable away from AC power lines and high-EMI sources if possible. Although the cable is shielded, extreme electromagnetic interference (large PDUs, UPS charging circuits) can occasionally cause signal integrity issues in highly congested rack environments.
- Link negotiation is automatic—once inserted, the cable will establish a 10 Gbps link in seconds. If link establishment fails, inspect the connector for dust or debris and reseat both ends. Loose or misaligned SFP+ cages can cause intermittent link flapping.
The UACC-DAC-SFP10-3M is best suited to dense rack environments where multiple Ubiquiti switches need stacking, or where a storage appliance sits within a few meters of your compute cluster. It's not a universal solution—fiber DAC or active optics are necessary for longer runs—but in its intended use case (short, high-speed, passive interconnect), it delivers simplicity and reliability without the overhead of transceiver management.
