QSFP28 to 4 X SFP28 0.5 Meter Length

‌A QSFP28 to 4x SFP28 (0.5 Meter Length) cable is a high-speed breakout cable used in data centers and networking environments to split a QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 28) connection into four SFP28 (Small Form-factor Pluggable 28) connections. Here's a breakdown of the components and their functions:

Components:

QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 28):

40G/100G Port: QSFP28 is a transceiver that supports 100Gbps Ethernet by providing four lanes of 25Gbps each. It is used in high-performance networking equipment like switches, routers, and network interface cards (NICs).

High-Density Connector: QSFP28 is commonly found in data centers where space efficiency and high-speed interconnects are crucial.

SFP28 (Small Form-factor Pluggable 28):

25G Port: Each SFP28 connection supports 25Gbps Ethernet, making it a common choice for linking individual devices or switches in data center environments.

Single Lane Transceiver: Unlike QSFP28, SFP28 operates on a single lane, transmitting and receiving at 25Gbps over a single channel.

Breakout Cable:

0.5 Meter Length: This is a short-length passive copper cable (DAC) that allows for high-speed, low-latency connections over short distances, typically within racks or adjacent racks in a data center. A 0.5-meter cable is particularly useful for minimizing clutter and signal attenuation in close-range connections.

Breakout Design: The cable "breaks out" the QSFP28's four lanes into four individual SFP28 lanes, allowing one QSFP28 port to connect to four 25Gbps ports.

Applications:

Data Center Networking: This type of cable is often used in top-of-rack (ToR) switches where a single QSFP28 port is connected to four SFP28 ports on different switches or servers.

100G to 25G Splitting: The primary purpose is to split a 100Gbps QSFP28 port into four separate 25Gbps connections, maximizing the utilization of high-speed ports for flexible network architectures.

Aggregation: It’s useful for connecting 100Gbps uplinks on core switches to multiple 25Gbps devices, such as servers or edge switches, allowing for flexible bandwidth distribution in a cost-effective manner.

Key Benefits:

High Performance: Supports up to 100Gbps bandwidth, with low latency, suitable for modern high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud infrastructure.

Cost-Effective: Provides an affordable and efficient way to use fewer QSFP28 ports while still connecting multiple devices at 25Gbps each.

Space-Saving: Using a single cable to connect multiple devices reduces the number of cables and ports needed, leading to better cable management and more efficient use of rack space.

This cable is typically used in environments where high-speed, short-distance connections are needed, and space and efficiency are prioritized.