What is a Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cable?

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As networks scale up to support faster data transmission, more professionals and procurement specialists in the fiber optic communication industry are turning to Direct Attach Copper cables for short-range, high-bandwidth applications. In this article, we’ll dive deep into what DAC cables are, why choose DAC cable and the applications of DAC Cables.

What DAC cables are？

Direct Attach Copper Cable (DAC) is a pre-terminated twinaxial copper cable with transceiver-style connectors permanently attached at both ends. This type of cable is primarily used for short-distance, high-speed interconnects within a data center rack or between adjacent racks.

DAC cables can be categorized into two main types:

Passive DAC cables: Do not contain electrical components and rely on the physical properties of copper. Ideal for very short distances .

Active DAC cables: Include small electronic components in the connectors to boost signal quality, enabling them to support slightly longer distances .

DACs are commonly used for applications like 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G, and even emerging 400G network connections.

Why Choose DAC Cables?

In an era where network performance and cost-efficiency are critical, DAC cables provide a powerful combination of advantages:

Cost-Effective for Short Distances

Compared to active optical cables (AOCs) or transceivers with fiber patch cords, DACs are more affordable for short-distance connections. Since the cable is all-in-one and doesn't require separate modules or fiber, hardware costs are greatly reduced.

Low Power Consumption

Passive DACs consume almost no power, while active DACs consume only a fraction of the power consumed by optical transceivers. This feature makes DACs more attractive in an era where energy efficiency is increasingly important.

High Data Rates & Low Latency

DAC cables can support data rates up to 400Gbps with minimal latency, making them ideal for top-of-rack (ToR) switching, high-performance computing (HPC), and cloud data center environments.

Simplified Deployment

Since DACs are plug-and-play and factory-terminated, there’s no need for manual cleaning or complex testing. This reduces installation time and minimizes the chances of connection failure due to dust or human error.

Applications of DAC Cables

With the increasing demand for bandwidth and the growth of AI and machine learning workloads, DAC cables are playing a crucial role in:

Top-of-Rack (ToR) and End-of-Row (EoR) data center architectures
High-speed interconnects in enterprise networks
HPC (High-Performance Computing) clusters
Cloud computing and storage area networks (SANs)

As 400G and 800G technologies become mainstream, newer DAC variants like QSFP-DD and OSFP DACs are entering the market to meet performance expectations without breaking the budget.

Conclusion: Upgrade Your Network with Confidence

Direct-attach copper cables are a practical and powerful choice for modern data centers. With its plug-and-play convenience, low latency, and cost advantages, DAC will remain highly competitive in 2025 and beyond.

Explore our full range of DAC cables today and discover how our solutions can help streamline your network infrastructure. Visit our online store now!