QSFP-100G-AOC7M= Cisco 7m 100GB Active Optical Cable.

Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC7M= 7m 100Gb QSFP28 Active Optical Cable Overview

The Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC7M= is a factory-terminated, hot-swappable QSFP28 active optical cable engineered to deliver dependable 100-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity across a 7-meter distance. Designed for high-density switching fabrics and modern spine-leaf architectures, this integrated cable-plus-transceiver assembly simplifies 100G deployments by eliminating field polishing, fusion splicing, or transceiver selection guesswork. With optimized signal conditioning and integrated electronics, this 7-meter AOC enables predictable performance in Top-of-Rack (ToR), End-of-Row (EoR), and aggregation layers, as well as in storage networks requiring low latency and consistent throughput. The compact QSFP28 form factor supports four parallel 25G electrical lanes, providing an aggregate 100G link that is easy to install, manage, and scale.

This category page focuses on the role of Cisco QSFP28 active optical cables—specifically the QSFP-100G-AOC7M=—within data center, enterprise campus core, and service provider environments. It explores use cases, design patterns, best practices, compatibility considerations, and lifecycle management, helping network teams choose the right 100G interconnects for present and future growth.

Key Applications of Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC7M=

• Spine–Leaf Interconnects: Short-to-medium runs between leaf switches and spine layers, with orderly cable management and reduced installation complexity.
• ToR/Uplink Connections: High-bandwidth uplinks from Top-of-Rack switches to aggregation or core layers where deterministic latency is important.
• Server or Fabric Interconnects: Direct networking between high-performance servers with 100G NICs and adjacent switches in HPC or AI/ML clusters.
• Storage Networks: Low-latency links between NVMe-over-Fabrics arrays, storage switches, and compute nodes in hyperconverged environments.
• Edge/Data Center Interlinks: Compact 100G jumpers inside modular chassis, pods, or micro-data centers needing neat, dense cabling.

Performance Snapshot

The QSFP-100G-AOC7M= delivers 100G aggregate bandwidth over parallel fiber with integrated electronics that condition the signal for clean eye diagrams and robust BER performance. The cable length is optimized for low-latency, low-power, and high-reliability operation in environments where fiber management and physical flexibility are essential. Installation is tool-free: insert each QSFP28 end into the host port, verify link LEDs, and document the link for your wiring database or DCIM.

Technical Foundations of QSFP28 Active Optical Cables

QSFP28 is the de-facto form factor for 100-Gigabit Ethernet short-reach applications. It hosts four electrical lanes at 25 Gbps each, creating a 4×25G aggregate. In an AOC assembly, the optical conversion circuitry is built directly into each QSFP28 end and factory-matched to the specific fiber bundle, resulting in controlled insertion loss, return loss, and skew characteristics. This integrated approach simplifies interoperability and removes variables caused by mixing optics brands, fiber types, or connector qualities.

In contrast to passive copper DACs, AOCs use optical fiber and active components to extend reach while keeping the cable thin and flexible. Compared to discrete SR transceivers with patch cords, AOCs reduce component count and eliminate field cleaning and inspection steps, which is attractive for teams standardizing on repeatable deployment patterns.

Interface Compliance and Signaling

The Cisco QSFP-100G-AOC7M= is designed for hosts that implement QSFP28 cages and 100GBASE short-reach electrical interfaces. Typical host ASICs expose CAUI-4 or equivalent electrical lanes, and the AOC electronics manage the electrical-to-optical conversion while presenting a standard MSA-compatible interface to the switch or adapter. This maintains familiarity for network engineers accustomed to plugging QSFP28 modules, while giving operations teams the benefits of a single integrated part.

Latency and Jitter Considerations

At 7 meters, latency is dominated by device processing and propagation through the short fiber run. AOCs are favored in performance-sensitive environments because the path length is minimal and the optics are tuned for short-reach operation with tight jitter budgets. This makes the QSFP-100G-AOC7M= a strong choice for leaf-spine fabrics where microbursts are common and predictable transport is critical.

Power and Thermal Characteristics

Active optical cables are generally lower power than many long-reach pluggable optics while offering more reach than passive DACs. Their thin-diameter jacket and absence of heavy copper conductors also help improve airflow in dense racks. When designing for thermal headroom, consider the host platform’s port power budget and ensure adequate front-to-back or back-to-front airflow consistent with the switch’s design. The 7-meter length keeps power and heat within the envelope expected of short-reach optical links.

Designing Fabrics with Cisco 100G QSFP28 AOCs

Modern networks often embrace a spine-leaf topology for predictable oversubscription and resilience. The QSFP-100G-AOC7M= shines in these architectures by providing straightforward, repeatable interconnects between adjacent rows or within the same row as your fabric scales horizontally. Architects can adopt a “pod” design, assigning color-coded AOCs per function—spine links, east-west interlinks, or storage fabrics—to standardize on installation patterns and documentation.

Cable Plant Planning

When planning AOC links, confirm distance requirements and routing paths. A 7-meter reach comfortably handles ToR to aggregation within a row, and leaf to spine across neighboring racks. Plot cable trays, PDUs, and airflow paths to minimize bends and avoid EMI sources. While fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference, good hygiene in cable routing prevents physical stress and accidental dislodgement. Identify switch elevation within the rack to maintain smooth, arced runs that avoid sharp bends or pinch points.

Port Density and Breakout Considerations

QSFP28 ports support a variety of modes, including 100G and 4×25G breakout when using appropriate break-out assemblies. The QSFP-100G-AOC7M= is a straight 100G-to-100G AOC; it is best suited for dedicated 100G uplinks or spine-leaf trunks rather than break-out applications. If your design requires fan-out from one QSFP28 port to multiple 25G endpoints, plan those runs with compatible break-out cables or transceiver-plus-fanout fiber assemblies. For fabrics standardizing on uniform 100G links, staying with straight AOCs simplifies spares and troubleshooting.

Oversubscription and Buffering

Even with deterministic 100G links, contention can occur during bursty east-west traffic. Pair your AOC-based uplinks with switch models that offer sufficient buffering and QoS policy controls. Implement class-based queuing and ECN to manage incast patterns from distributed storage flows. The cable itself won’t introduce notable buffering; instead, it preserves the fidelity of your QoS strategy by maintaining stable, low-jitter transport across short distances.