StarTech.com QSFP4X10GAO7 40GbE to 4x10GbE Active Optical Breakout Cable 7M
The StarTech.com QSFP4X10GAO7 is a 7-meter active optical breakout cable engineered to connect a single 40GbE QSFP+ port to four 10GbE SFP+ ports, optimizing network density and performance.
- High-Speed Connectivity: Delivers 40Gbps data transfer rates, ensuring rapid data flow for demanding enterprise applications.
- Port Density Optimization: Breaks out one 40GbE QSFP+ port into four 10GbE SFP+ connections, maximizing switch utilization and reducing hardware costs.
- Cisco Compatibility: Designed and tested to work with Cisco® brand compatible servers and routers, ensuring frictionless integration into existing infrastructure.
- Lifetime Reliability: Backed by a lifetime warranty, providing long-term operational assurance and reducing total cost of ownership.
Product Overview
Product Overview
The StarTech.com QSFP4X10GAO7 is a 7-meter active optical breakout cable, purpose-built for high-speed network environments, enabling a single 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ port to connect to four distinct 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports. This cable supports a robust 40 Gbit/s data transfer rate, crucial for modern data centers and server rooms.
Engineered for frictionless integration, this hot-pluggable cable complies with MSA industry standards and is specifically tested for compatibility with Cisco® brand compatible servers and routers, ensuring reliable performance and simplified network upgrades without service interruption.
- 40GbE to 4x10GbE Breakout: Maximizes port utilization on QSFP+ switches by enabling connections to four separate 10GbE SFP+ devices, optimizing network infrastructure.
- Active Optical Technology: Provides extended reach up to 7 meters with superior signal integrity, reducing electromagnetic interference in dense rack environments.
- Hot-Pluggable Design: Facilitates easy installation and replacement without requiring network downtime, supporting continuous operations and maintenance efficiency.
- Cisco & MSA Compatibility: Ensures broad interoperability with industry-standard networking equipment, safeguarding existing hardware investments and simplifying deployment.
- REACH & RoHS Compliance: Adheres to strict environmental and safety regulations, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable IT practices and reducing compliance risks.
This active optical breakout cable is an essential component for organizations seeking to enhance network performance and density with proven reliability and broad compatibility.
Technical Specifications
1Performance & Business Impact
2Connectivity & I/O
3Physical & Environmental
4Lifecycle, Warranty & Compliance
Full Specifications
Features9
Weight & dimensions1
Certificates2
Operational conditions1
Packaging data1
Logistics data1
Downloads1
What This Solves
Data Center Rack Connectivity
Modern data centers require efficient and high-density cabling solutions to connect servers and switches within racks. This cable enables a single 40GbE port to feed four 10GbE devices, streamlining rack cabling and maximizing port utilization.
Data center operators, co-location facilities, enterprise infrastructure teams
Network Upgrade & Expansion
Organizations often need to incrementally upgrade their network infrastructure to support increasing bandwidth demands without replacing all existing hardware. This cable allows for the integration of 40GbE uplinks with existing 10GbE equipment, providing a cost-effective upgrade path.
Growing mid-market companies, IT operations teams, infrastructure modernization projects
High-Performance Server Interconnects
Servers hosting virtual machines, databases, or storage arrays require dedicated high-speed connections to the network backbone. The 40GbE to 4x10GbE breakout provides ample bandwidth for multiple server connections, ensuring optimal application performance.
Virtualization administrators, database administrators, enterprise application teams
Key Features
40 Gbit/s Data Transfer Rate
Ensures rapid data throughput for mission-critical applications, preventing network bottlenecks and maintaining high productivity.
QSFP+ to 4x SFP+ Breakout
Optimizes network port density by converting one high-speed port into four, reducing the need for additional switching hardware.
7-Meter Active Optical Cable (AOC)
Provides reliable long-distance connectivity within data centers, minimizing signal degradation and electromagnetic interference.
Cisco QSFP-4X10G-AOC7M Compatibility
Guarantees seamless integration with existing Cisco-based network infrastructure, simplifying deployment and ensuring interoperability.
Hot-Pluggable Design
Allows for quick and easy installation or replacement without disrupting network services, enhancing operational uptime and maintenance efficiency.
Industry Applications
Finance & Insurance
Requires high-speed, low-latency network connections for trading platforms and large data transfers, which this 40GbE breakout cable facilitates.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Demands reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity for medical imaging, electronic health records, and research data, supported by efficient network breakout.
Manufacturing & Industrial
Needs robust network infrastructure to handle large data volumes from IoT sensors and automated systems, benefiting from optimized port density.
Government & Public Sector
Utilizes secure and high-capacity networks for critical data exchange and operational systems, where 40GbE to 10GbE breakout improves efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary advantage of an Active Optical Cable (AOC) over a Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cable for this application?
AOCs like the QSFP4X10GAO7 offer longer reach (7 meters in this case) and are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference compared to DACs, making them ideal for longer runs within a data center or between racks.
Can this cable be used with non-Cisco networking equipment?
Yes, while designed and tested for Cisco compatibility, this cable also complies with MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) industry standards, ensuring broad interoperability with other compliant QSFP+ and SFP+ networking devices.
What kind of power source does an active optical cable require?
Active optical cables draw minimal power directly from the connected QSFP+ and SFP+ ports, eliminating the need for an external power supply and simplifying cable management.
How does this breakout cable help optimize network port utilization?
By converting a single 40GbE QSFP+ port into four 10GbE SFP+ connections, it allows IT teams to connect more 10GbE devices to a single 40GbE switch, maximizing the value of existing hardware and increasing network density.
Warranty & Returns
Manufacturer Warranty
Lifetime
Warranty is provided directly by the manufacturer and covers defects in materials and workmanship under normal use.
Return Policy
Returns subject to manufacturer approval
Hardware returns are governed by the manufacturer's return policy. Some products are non-returnable or subject to restocking fees. Defective items are handled under the manufacturer warranty. Contact Zent Networks before initiating any return.