Overview of DAC (Direct Attach Cable) Cables

Overview of DAC (Direct Attach Cable) Cables
DAC (Direct Attach Cable) cables, also known as Direct Attach Cables (DAC), are modular components with fixed connectors at both ends. They are typically used for short-distance, high-speed connections. DAC cables use copper wire to transmit electrical signals. They lack optical-to-electrical conversion and, therefore, do not contain any optical-to-electrical conversion components. They are generally suitable for short-distance connections and stacking applications. DAC cables are widely used to connect devices in data centers, high-performance computers, and large-capacity storage.
What is the difference between DAC cables and AOC (Active Optical Cable) cables?
Both DAC cables and AOC (Active Optical Cable) cables are high-speed cables used for stacking or interconnecting devices. DAC passive cables are generally used for short-distance stacking between devices, and are therefore considered a type of stacking cable. For long-distance connections between devices, AOC active optical cables are generally used, offering longer transmission distances and more stable performance.
There are significant differences between DAC cables and AOC cables. First, DAC high-speed cables are direct-connect copper cables (e.g., passive DAC cables) with relatively short transmission distances. AOC active optical cables, on the other hand, contain active components such as optoelectronic conversion modules, enabling them to support longer transmission distances, reaching 100 Mbps or even longer. Secondly, in terms of power consumption, DAC high-speed cables, due to their lack of active components, are very low, while AOC active optical cables, due to the presence of active modules, have a certain amount of power consumption. Furthermore, from a cost perspective, DAC high-speed cables are generally relatively low-cost, while AOC active optical cables are more expensive due to factors such as technical complexity.