Cisco QSFP-100G-CU1M
100GBASE-CR4 Passive Copper Cable, 1m, Original Cisco
Product Highlights
As data center fabrics scale to 100 Gigabit Ethernet and beyond, every link between switches and servers must deliver maximum throughput with minimum latency — without inflating your cabling budget. The Cisco QSFP-100G-CU1M is a 100GBASE-CR4 passive copper direct-attach cable (DAC) that provides a cost-effective, low-power path for 100G connectivity over a 1-meter reach.
This original Cisco cable features integrated QSFP28 connectors on both ends, eliminating the need for separate transceiver modules. Its passive twinax copper design draws minimal power and introduces virtually no latency, making it ideal for top-of-rack (ToR) switch-to-server links, spine-leaf interconnects, and high-performance computing clusters where every microsecond counts.
Supported across a broad range of Cisco platforms — including Nexus 9000, Nexus 3000, and Catalyst 9500 series switches — the QSFP-100G-CU1M is a proven building block for modern data center architectures. As a genuine Cisco product, it is automatically recognized by NX-OS and IOS-XE without additional configuration, ensuring a plug-and-play deployment experience.
Features & Benefits
Passive Copper Direct Attach
The QSFP-100G-CU1M uses passive twinax copper with no active electronic components or lasers. This means near-zero additional power consumption (approximately 1.5 W per end) and ultra-low latency — critical advantages for latency-sensitive workloads such as high-frequency trading, real-time analytics, and HPC clusters.
Integrated QSFP28-to-QSFP28 Design
With QSFP28 connectors permanently attached at each end, this cable eliminates the cost and complexity of purchasing and installing separate 100G transceiver modules. Simply plug the cable into any compatible QSFP28 port for an instant 100 Gbps link — no optics inventory to manage.
100GBASE-CR4 Performance
Compliant with the IEEE 802.3bj 100GBASE-CR4 standard, the cable delivers 100 Gbps aggregate bandwidth across four independent 25 Gbps lanes. This standards-based approach guarantees interoperability and forward compatibility within Cisco's 100G ecosystem.
Broad Cisco Platform Support
This genuine Cisco cable is supported on a wide range of Cisco switching and routing platforms. Always consult the Cisco Transceiver Module Group (TMG) Compatibility Matrix at tmgmatrix.cisco.com to confirm support for your specific chassis, line card, and software release.
Cost-Effective 100G Connectivity
Passive DAC cables are significantly less expensive than optical transceiver-plus-fiber solutions for short-reach links. By choosing the QSFP-100G-CU1M for intra-rack connections, you can reduce per-link costs while maintaining full 100G line-rate performance.
Deployment Scenarios
Top-of-Rack to Server Connectivity
Connect servers directly to ToR switches at 100 Gbps within the same rack. The 1-meter passive copper cable delivers the lowest possible latency and eliminates the need for separate optics, keeping per-port costs down in high-density server environments.
Spine-Leaf Fabric Interconnects
In compact spine-leaf architectures where spine and leaf switches reside in the same or adjacent racks, the QSFP-100G-CU1M provides a reliable, low-latency 100G link. Passive copper is ideal when switch-to-switch distances are within 1 meter.
High-Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters
HPC and AI/ML training clusters demand ultra-low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects between compute nodes and network switches. Passive DAC cables minimize signal processing delay, making them a preferred choice for latency-critical parallel workloads.
Lab, Staging, and Test Environments
For network labs and pre-production staging racks where equipment is co-located, the QSFP-100G-CU1M offers an affordable way to validate 100G configurations without investing in optical transceivers and fiber patch cables.
General
Performance
Physical
Power
Environmental
Compliance
Compatibility Notes
Platform Support: Cisco QSFP-100G modules are supported on Cisco switches and routers. Compatible platforms include (but are not limited to) the Nexus 9000 series (e.g., N9K-C9336C-FX2, N9K-C93180YC-FX, N9K-C93240YC-FX2, N9K-C9364C), Nexus 3000 series (e.g., Nexus 3232C, 31108PC-V, 31108TC-V), and Catalyst 9500 series (e.g., C9500-24Y4C, C9500-48Y4C).
Important: Always verify your specific platform, line card, and minimum NX-OS or IOS-XE software version against the official Cisco Transceiver Module Group (TMG) Compatibility Matrix before ordering.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| QSFP-100G-CU2M | Cisco 100GBASE-CR4 Passive Copper Cable, 2m | Same passive DAC technology but with 2-meter reach — choose when devices span adjacent racks. |
| QSFP-100G-CU3M | Cisco 100GBASE-CR4 Passive Copper Cable, 3m | 3-meter passive copper option for slightly longer inter-rack runs while still avoiding optics. |
| QSFP-100G-AOC1M | Cisco 100G QSFP28 Active Optical Cable, 1m | Active optical cable at 1m — thinner and lighter for better airflow, but higher power draw (~3.5 W) and cost. |
| QSFP-4SFP25G-CU1M | Cisco QSFP-to-4×SFP25G Breakout DAC, 1m | Breaks out one 100G QSFP28 port into four 25G SFP28 connections — ideal for server NIC fan-out. |
