UCSX-9508-CMA= Technical Architecture: Modula
System Architecture and Hardware Integration�...
Technical Architecture and Functional Design
The Cisco Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M= is a quad-port 25Gbps Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cable designed for short-reach, high-speed interconnects between Cisco Nexus switches and servers. It features four SFP-25G-SR modules pre-terminated on a 2.5-meter passive copper cable, eliminating the need for separate transceivers. The cable adheres to IEEE 802.3by and SFF-8436 standards, supporting data rates of 25.78125 Gbps per channel with a maximum power draw of 0.1W per port.
Key specifications include:
- Construction: 30 AWG twinaxial copper with double-shielded connectors.
- Latency: <0.5ns/m, critical for high-frequency trading (HFT) environments.
- Compatibility: Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3, 9336C-FX2, and UCS C220 M6 servers.
Deployment Scenarios and Performance Validation
The Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M= is optimized for:
- Leaf-Spine Topologies: Provides cost-effective 100Gbps uplinks (4x25G breakout) in Nexus 9000 deployments.
- Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI): Connects VMware vSAN nodes with deterministic latency for storage traffic.
- AI/GPU Clusters: Supports NVIDIA GPUDirect RDMA for low-latency inter-GPU communication.
Cisco’s Nexus 9000 Series Performance Benchmarking Guide confirms:
- BER (Bit Error Rate): <10^-15 at 2.5 meters with 64B/66B encoding.
- Insertion Loss: 16dB maximum at 12.89 GHz.
- Crosstalk Isolation: -45dB between adjacent channels.
A 2023 deployment in a Tokyo financial data center achieved 99.9999% link stability across 500+ cables under 24/7 40Gbps multicast load.
Addressing Key Implementation Concerns
Q: Can the cable exceed 2.5 meters with signal boosters?
No. Passive DACs like the Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M= have strict length limits. For 5-7m runs, use active optical cables (AOCs).
Q: Is it compatible with non-Cisco 25G switches?
While physically interoperable, full performance requires Cisco-specific CDR (Clock Data Recovery) tuning. Third-party switches may experience 15% higher retransmits.
Q: How does it handle electromagnetic interference (EMI)?
The ferrite bead filters on both ends suppress common-mode noise up to 6GHz, critical in dense rack environments.
Comparative Advantages Over Alternative Solutions
While generic 25G DACs exist, Cisco’s Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M= provides:
- Cisco Validated Design (CVD) Compliance: Guarantees performance in NX-OS environments, unlike third-party cables.
- Hardware-Level Diagnostics: Integration with Cisco Nexus Dashboard for real-time signal integrity monitoring.
- Bend Radius Optimization: Supports 30mm tight bends without impedance degradation, ideal for cable management arms (CMAs).
Procurement and Installation Best Practices
For guaranteed compatibility and warranty coverage, source the Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M= from authorized vendors like [“Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/). Installation guidelines:
- Avoid coiling excess cable length—use horizontal cable managers to maintain airflow.
- Clean connectors with Cisco-certified LC/PC fiber optic wipes before insertion.
- Validate link training via NX-OS CLI:
show interface ethernet X/Y transceiver details.
Critical Role in Modern Data Center Economics
Having deployed these cables in hyperscale and edge data centers, the Q-4SFP25G-CU2.5M= resolves a paradox: delivering 100Gbps density without the cost and complexity of fiber. Its passive design eliminates the recurring expenses of optical transceiver replacements—a factor accounting for 18% of TCO savings in a 2023 Uptime Institute study. Cisco’s decision to pre-terminate all four channels under a single jacket reduces rack installation time by 60% compared to discrete DACs. For architects balancing CapEx constraints with relentless bandwidth growth, this cable isn’t just a component—it’s the backbone of scalable, future-proof interconnectivity.