Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC10M
100GBASE QSFP Active Optical Cable, 10m, Original Cisco
Product Highlights
As data center traffic scales relentlessly, every interconnect between spine and leaf switches, servers, and storage arrays must deliver wire-rate 100G performance without compromise. The Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC10M is an original Cisco 100GBASE QSFP Active Optical Cable that provides exactly that — a 10-meter, low-latency, high-bandwidth link between any two devices equipped with QSFP28 ports.
Unlike passive copper DAC cables that are limited to shorter distances and heavier gauge wiring, this AOC uses multimode fiber between its integrated QSFP28 transceiver assemblies, delivering 100 Gbps across four independent 25 Gb/s lanes while consuming only 3.5 watts. The result is a thinner, lighter, more flexible cable that improves airflow and simplifies cable management in high-density racks.
The QSFP-100G-AOC10M is hot-swappable and requires zero configuration — simply plug it into a compatible Cisco QSFP28 port and the link comes up. It is certified and tested by Cisco for use with Nexus 9000, Nexus 3000, Nexus 7700, Catalyst 9500, and Catalyst 9600 series platforms, among others. Whether you are building a new leaf-spine fabric or extending an existing 100G backbone, this AOC delivers the performance, reliability, and ease of deployment that enterprise and cloud-scale environments demand.
Features & Benefits
100G Active Optical Performance
The QSFP-100G-AOC10M delivers 100 Gbps aggregate throughput over four independent 25 Gb/s channels using multimode fiber. Active optical technology enables longer reach than passive copper while maintaining low latency, making it the optimal choice for 10-meter data center interconnects where DAC cables fall short.
Low Power & Lightweight Design
At just 3.5 W power consumption per cable, this AOC minimizes thermal load in high-density switch environments. The thin, flexible fiber construction is significantly lighter than copper DAC alternatives, improving airflow within racks and simplifying cable management in congested top-of-rack deployments.
Hot-Swappable Plug-and-Play Operation
Designed for zero-downtime maintenance, the QSFP-100G-AOC10M is fully hot-swappable. Insert or remove the cable from any compatible QSFP28 port without powering down the host device. No driver installation or manual configuration is required — the link auto-negotiates immediately upon insertion.
Cisco Certified Compatibility
This is an original Cisco product, certified and tested on Cisco QSFP-100G ports for superior performance, quality, and reliability. Its high-speed electrical interface is compliant with IEEE 802.3bm, ensuring interoperability with other IEEE-compliant 100GBASE interfaces where applicable.
Deployment Scenarios
Data Center Leaf-Spine Fabric
Connect leaf and spine switches within a 100G fabric using the QSFP-100G-AOC10M for low-latency, high-bandwidth links. The 10-meter reach covers typical intra-row and adjacent-row distances in modern data center pod architectures, while the lightweight fiber reduces cable tray congestion.
Server-to-Switch 100G Uplinks
Provide 100 Gbps connectivity from servers equipped with QSFP28 NICs directly to top-of-rack switches. The AOC's low power draw and slim profile make it ideal for dense compute environments where dozens of 100G links converge on a single switch.
Storage Area Network Interconnects
Link high-performance storage arrays to network switches at 100G speeds. The active optical cable's low latency and consistent signal integrity over 10 meters ensure reliable, high-throughput data transfers for latency-sensitive storage workloads.
High-Performance Computing Clusters
Interconnect compute nodes in HPC environments where bandwidth and latency are critical. The QSFP-100G-AOC10M supports the throughput demands of parallel computing workloads while keeping cabling lightweight and manageable across large cluster deployments.
General
Performance
Optical
Power
Physical
Environmental
Compliance
Compatibility Notes
The Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC10M is supported on Cisco switches and routers with QSFP28 100G ports. Supported platforms include but are not limited to:
- Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series (e.g., C9500-24Y4C)
- Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series (e.g., C9600-LC-24C line card)
- Cisco Nexus 9300 Series (e.g., N9K-C9336C-FX2, N9K-C93180YC-EX, N9K-C93180YC-FX, N9K-C93240YC-FX2)
- Cisco Nexus 9200 Series (e.g., N9K-C92160YC-X, N9K-C92300YC, N9K-C9236C, N9K-C92304QC)
- Cisco Nexus 3000 Series (e.g., Nexus 3232C, Nexus 31108PC-V, Nexus 31108TC-V)
- Cisco Nexus 7700 Series (M3-Series 100Gb line cards)
For the complete and current compatibility matrix, refer to the Cisco 100 Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Modules Compatibility Matrix on cisco.com.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| QSFP-100G-AOC7M | Cisco 100GBASE QSFP AOC, 7m | Shorter 7-meter reach for tighter intra-rack connections at a lower price point |
| QSFP-100G-AOC15M | Cisco 100GBASE QSFP AOC, 15m | Extended 15-meter reach for cross-row connections when 10m is not sufficient |
| QSFP-100G-AOC5M | Cisco 100GBASE QSFP AOC, 5m | Shorter 5-meter reach for adjacent-device connections within the same rack |
| QSFP-100G-CU3M | Cisco 100GBASE-CR4 Passive Copper Cable, 3m | Passive copper DAC — lower cost and zero power, but limited to 3m and heavier/stiffer cabling |
