Cisco QDD-400-AOC30M 400G QSFP-DD Active Optical Cable, 30M

Carry 400G traffic farther without changing the design of the link. Cisco’s QSFP-DD active optical cable provides a 30 m optical interconnect for environments that need high bandwidth between racks or adjacent rows while keeping latency and cable bulk under control. It is a strong fit for modern data center fabrics where short-reach optics must still support disciplined physical layout. Compared with passive copper at this reach, an active optical cable gives teams more flexibility in placement and routing while preserving the signal quality expected in 400G deployments. The QSFP-DD form factor aligns with dense switch and server platforms, making it easier to standardize high-speed connectivity across a fleet. For infrastructure teams, the value is not just reach — it is predictable performance, cleaner airflow than heavy copper bundles, and fewer compromises during rack design. Choose this cable when the link matters enough to justify optical transport, but the deployment still calls for a direct, simple interconnect. It is the kind of component that supports premium 400G builds by reducing physical complexity without sacrificing speed.