A99-100G-CM-TRL2P=: What Makes This Cisco Cable Module Essential for 100G Deployments?

Overview of the A99-100G-CM-TRL2P=

The ​​A99-100G-CM-TRL2P=​​ is a ​​Cisco 100Gbps passive copper cable module​​ designed for high-density data center and enterprise switching environments. Part of Cisco’s ​​QSFP28 Direct Attach Cable (DAC)​​ portfolio, it enables cost-effective, low-latency 100G Ethernet connectivity between compatible Cisco switches and routers.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​Data Rate​​: Supports ​​100Gbps​​ (4x25Gbps lanes) with backward compatibility to 40G and 10G modes.
• ​​Cable Length​​: ​​2-meter passive twinaxial cable​​, optimized for short-reach top-of-rack (ToR) or end-of-row (EoR) deployments.
• ​​Construction​​: Features ​​rail lock connectors​​ for secure mating in high-vibration environments.
• ​​Compliance​​: Meets ​​IEEE 802.3bj​​ and ​​QSFP28 MSA​​ standards for interoperability and signal integrity.

Compatibility and Use Cases

The A99-100G-CM-TRL2P= is validated for ​​Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches​​ (e.g., N9K-C9336C-FX2, N9K-C93180YC-FX3) and addresses critical deployment questions:

• ​​Q​​: What’s the maximum supported distance for this cable?
  ​​A​​: Passive DACs like this are ideal for ​​≤3-meter runs​​; beyond that, active optical cables (AOCs) or transceivers are recommended.
• ​​Q​​: Can it connect non-Cisco devices in hybrid environments?
  ​​A​​: While physically compatible, full performance is guaranteed only between ​​Cisco MSA-compliant devices​​.

Advantages Over Third-Party DACs

Generic 100G cables risk:

• ​​Signal degradation​​ due to inferior shielding, increasing bit error rates (BER) in dense deployments.
• ​​Intermittent disconnects​​ from poorly engineered rail-lock mechanisms.
  The A99-100G-CM-TRL2P= ensures ​​error-free operation​​ with Cisco-tested connectors and impedance-matched twinaxial wiring.

For reliable 100G connectivity, purchase the A99-100G-CM-TRL2P= via itmall.sale.

Real-World Relevance

In hyperscale data centers, ​​cable quality directly impacts packet loss and latency​​. I’ve debugged “mystery” network stalls traced to third-party DACs failing under sustained 100G traffic. The A99-100G-CM-TRL2P=’s rugged rail locks and compliance with Cisco’s signal margins eliminate such edge cases—proving that in high-stakes environments, even cables demand vendor-grade validation. While optics get most attention, overlooking DAC specs is a gamble few enterprises can afford.