Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M
10GBASE Active Optical SFP+ Cable, 1M, Original Cisco
Product Highlights
Managing high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections in tightly packed racks demands cabling that is lightweight, reliable, and easy to deploy. Bulky copper assemblies create airflow restrictions, add weight, and can introduce electromagnetic interference — all of which become critical pain points at scale.
The Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M is an original Cisco 10GBASE Active Optical SFP+ Cable that solves these challenges with a 1-meter, fiber-based active optical cable assembly. Featuring SFP+ connectors on both ends, this AOC plugs directly into any SFP+ port on supported Cisco switches, routers, and UCS fabric interconnects — no separate transceivers or patch cords required. The optics are fully contained within the cable assembly, eliminating exposed LC connectors that can be scratched, contaminated, or broken, which dramatically increases reliability and lowers ongoing maintenance costs.
Designed for short-distance, high-speed interconnects within racks and across adjacent racks, the SFP-10G-AOC1M delivers 10 Gbps throughput with just 1W of power consumption. It is compliant with the SFF-8431 MSA standard and operates within a commercial temperature range of 0°C to 70°C. Whether you are building top-of-rack switch uplinks, connecting servers to fabric interconnects, or linking storage arrays in a data center environment, this Cisco AOC provides a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to discrete transceiver-plus-fiber-patch-cord solutions.
Features & Benefits
Active Optical Cable Design
Unlike passive copper DAC cables, the SFP-10G-AOC1M uses active optical technology with embedded optics at each end. This delivers superior signal integrity, lower bit error rates, and significantly reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) — critical advantages in dense data center environments where cable runs sit alongside sensitive equipment.
Lightweight & Space-Efficient
The thin, flexible fiber construction of this AOC dramatically reduces cable bulk and weight compared to copper twinax alternatives. In high-density racks, this translates to improved airflow for better cooling, easier cable management, and less mechanical strain on switch ports.
Hot-Swappable SFP+ Form Factor
The SFP-10G-AOC1M uses the industry-standard SFP+ form factor — the smallest 10G interface available. It is fully hot-swappable, meaning you can install or replace it without powering down the host device. This supports a pay-as-you-populate deployment model that protects your investment and simplifies technology migration.
Integrated Optics — Zero Maintenance Connectors
Because the optics are completely contained inside the cable assembly, there are no exposed LC fiber connectors to clean, inspect, or risk damaging. This eliminates a common source of link failures in data center environments and reduces the time and cost associated with fiber connector maintenance.
Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM)
Cisco SFP+ modules support digital optical monitoring, providing real-time diagnostic data on parameters such as optical power levels and temperature. This gives network administrators strong visibility into link health, enabling proactive troubleshooting before issues impact production traffic.
Deployment Scenarios
Top-of-Rack Switch Interconnects
Connect adjacent top-of-rack switches within the same cabinet or between neighboring racks in a data center leaf-spine fabric. The 1-meter length is ideal for short switch-to-switch uplinks where copper DAC weight and EMI are concerns.
Server-to-Switch 10G Uplinks
Link servers equipped with 10G SFP+ network interface cards directly to access-layer switches. The lightweight AOC reduces port strain on both the server NIC and the switch, and the active design ensures clean signal delivery even in electrically noisy server racks.
UCS Fabric Interconnect & Blade Chassis Connectivity
Deploy between Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects and I/O modules in blade server chassis for high-bandwidth, low-latency compute fabric links. The SFP-10G-AOC1M is supported across a wide range of UCS platforms.
Storage Area Network (SAN) Short Links
Use for short-distance connections between storage arrays and SAN switches in environments that require 10G Ethernet or Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) connectivity with minimal cabling overhead.
General
Performance
Physical
Environmental
Compliance
Compatibility Notes
The Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M is supported on a broad range of Cisco platforms with SFP+ ports. Always consult the Cisco 10 Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Modules Compatibility Matrix (document OL-6974) at cisco.com for the latest platform support and minimum IOS/NX-OS version requirements.
Commonly supported platform families include:
- Nexus Series: 3000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 9000
- Catalyst Series: 2960-S/X/XR, 3650, 3850, 4500-X, 6500, 6800, 9200, 9300, 9400, 9500
- UCS: Fabric Interconnects (6200, 6300 series), I/O Modules
- ASR Series: ASR 901, 903, 1000, 9000
- 7600 Series Routers
Note: Not all platforms support every SFP+ module. Platform and software version compatibility should be verified before deployment.
Downloads & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
| Part Number | Product | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| SFP-10G-AOC2M | Cisco 10GBASE AOC SFP+ Cable, 2M | Same specifications but 2-meter length — choose when connecting across adjacent racks with slightly more reach. |
| SFP-10G-AOC3M | Cisco 10GBASE AOC SFP+ Cable, 3M | 3-meter AOC for cross-rack connections where 1m is too short but full patch-panel runs are unnecessary. |
| SFP-10G-AOC5M | Cisco 10GBASE AOC SFP+ Cable, 5M | 5-meter AOC for mid-range in-row connections — same active optical benefits at greater distance. |
| SFP-H10GB-CU1M | Cisco 10GBASE-CU SFP+ Passive Twinax Cable, 1M | Passive copper DAC alternative at 1m — lower cost but heavier, less flexible, and more susceptible to EMI than AOC. |
