Deploying 400G links in high-density AI and cloud data centers means choosing interconnects that balance reach, power, and reliability. A 400G QSFP112 AOC cable delivers the bandwidth you need without the bulk, heat, or distance limits of copper alternatives.
FiberMall manufactures 400G QSFP112 active optical cables for hyperscale, enterprise, and HPC networks. Each cable is built to QSFP112 MSA, IEEE 802.3db, and CMIS 5.2 standards and tested for compatibility with leading switch platforms.
The Challenge: Scaling 400G Without Compromise
Network engineers face a familiar trade-off when cabling 400G switch ports. Passive copper cables are inexpensive but heavy, short, and sensitive to EMI. Active copper cables extend reach slightly yet add power and still block airflow. Optical transceivers plus fiber offer reach but increase component count and installation complexity.
A 400G QSFP112 AOC solves this by integrating transceivers and multimode fiber into a single, pluggable assembly. You get longer reach than copper, lower power than separate optics, and a cleaner rack layout than discrete modules and patch cables.
The result is a simpler, more scalable 400G fabric that supports modern AI and cloud workloads without the hidden costs of copper-heavy deployments.
FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC: A Single-Cable 400G Solution
A 400G QSFP112 AOC is a factory-terminated active optical cable with a QSFP112 module embedded on each end. It plugs directly into QSFP112 switch ports and carries four 106.25 Gbps PAM4 lanes over multimode fiber, eliminating the need for separate transceivers and patch cords.
Key Benefits:
Longer reach — Up to 60 m on OM3 and 100 m on OM4, depending on fiber grade and FEC configuration.
Lower power — Under 8 W per end, reducing heat load in dense 400G racks.
Lighter, more flexible — Easier cable management and better airflow than copper bundles.
EMI immune — Optical signaling performs reliably in electrically noisy data center environments.
Plug-and-play — Hot-pluggable QSFP112 form factor with built-in digital diagnostic monitoring.
These characteristics make 400G QSFP112 AOC cables the preferred choice for inter-rack and end-of-row connections in 400G Ethernet and InfiniBand networks.
400G QSFP112 AOC Specifications
Here are the detailed technical specifications for the FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC:
Form Factor: QSFP112 to QSFP112
Data Rate: 400 Gbps aggregate (425 Gbps max)
Electrical Interface: 4 × 106.25 Gbps PAM4 (400GAUI-4)
Optical Lanes: 4 Tx + 4 Rx
Wavelength: 850 nm
Transmitter: VCSEL array
Receiver: PIN photodetector array
Fiber Type: OM3 / OM4 / OM5 multimode fiber
Reach: Up to 60 m (OM3) / 100 m (OM4) with FEC
Power Consumption: < 8 W per end
Supply Voltage: 3.3 V
Operating Temperature: 0°C to +70°C
Management Interface: CMIS 5.2 with DDM/DOM
Compliance: QSFP112 MSA Rev 2.1.1, IEEE 802.3db, IEEE 802.3ck, RoHS
Cable Jacket: OFNP or LSZH options
Standard Lengths: 1 m, 3 m, 5 m, 7 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, 30 m (custom available)
All FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC cables undergo insertion, electrical, and optical testing before shipment. Serial-number traceability and test reports are available on request.
400G QSFP112 AOC vs. DAC vs. ACC
Choosing the right 400G QSFP112 cable depends on reach, power budget, and rack density. Here is how the common options compare:
Passive DAC: These cables are best suited for server-to-ToR connections within the same rack. They have a typical reach of 1 to 2 meters or less and consume near-zero power per end. However, they are heavy and rigid, offer low EMI immunity, and have a high impact on rack airflow.
Active DAC / ACC: These are ideal for short inter-rack links. They extend the typical reach up to 5 to 7 meters and consume moderate power (1 to 3 W per end). They are moderately flexible and have a moderate impact on airflow, but still offer low EMI immunity.
400G QSFP112 AOC: The preferred choice for inter-rack, end-of-row, and spine-leaf connections. They offer a typical reach of up to 60 meters on OM3 and 100 meters on OM4. While consuming slightly more power (under 8 W per end), they are light, flexible, highly immune to EMI, and have a low impact on airflow.
When to choose a 400G QSFP112 AOC:
Inter-rack links longer than 3–5 m.
High-density racks where copper bulk blocks airflow.
Environments with significant electrical interference.
Deployments requiring clean cable routing and easy maintenance.
AI/ML clusters needing predictable 400G performance across multiple racks.
Switch Compatibility You Can Trust
Compatibility is the top concern for data center buyers. FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC cables are coded and tested for broad platform support, including:
Cisco Nexus 9000 and Catalyst series
Arista 7000 series switches
Juniper QFX and PTX platforms
NVIDIA/Mellanox Spectrum switches
H3C S12500 and S6800 series
Broadcom-based white-box switches
Generic MSA-compliant QSFP112 hosts
Each cable supports CMIS 5.2 digital diagnostic monitoring, so your network operations team can read temperature, voltage, Tx/Rx power, and other real-time parameters through standard switch CLI and SNMP tools.
Need a specific part-number cross-reference? Share your switch model and current vendor SKU, and our engineering team will confirm compatibility before you order.
Applications for 400G QSFP112 AOC Cables
FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC cables are deployed in environments where high bandwidth, low latency, and reliable signal integrity matter.
Common Applications:
AI/ML training clusters — High-density GPU-to-switch and switch-to-switch 400G connectivity.
Hyperscale cloud data centers — Spine-leaf and top-of-rack uplinks.
High-performance computing (HPC) — Low-latency 400G interconnects for compute fabrics.
Enterprise core/distribution layers — 400G aggregation and core switching.
Service provider edge — 400G packet-optical handoffs over short-reach multimode fiber.
Standard cable lengths from 1 m to 30 m cover most intra-data-center requirements. Custom lengths and private-label configurations are available for OEM and volume customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum reach of a 400G QSFP112 AOC?
Most FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC cables support up to 60 m on OM3 multimode fiber and 100 m on OM4. Reach depends on fiber grade, connector quality, and whether the host enables FEC.
Does 400G QSFP112 AOC require FEC?
Yes. FEC (Forward Error Correction) is typically required on the host switch to achieve the rated reach and bit-error-rate performance for 400G PAM4 signaling.
Is QSFP112 backward-compatible with QSFP56 and QSFP28?
QSFP112 shares the same physical form factor as QSFP56 and QSFP28. A QSFP112 port can often accept lower-speed modules if the host supports the corresponding data rate, but always confirm compatibility with your switch vendor.
What is the power consumption of a 400G QSFP112 AOC?
FiberMall 400G QSFP112 AOC cables consume less than 8 W per end, which is significantly lower than the combined power of two separate 400G transceivers plus active equipment.
What is the difference between 400G QSFP112 AOC and QSFP-DD AOC?
For 400G applications, QSFP-DD utilizes eight electrical lanes at 50 Gbps (PAM4), whereas QSFP112 achieves the same 400G aggregate using only four lanes at 106.25 Gbps (PAM4). The two form factors are not mechanically or electrically interchangeable. Choose the type that matches your switch port.
Which switches support 400G QSFP112 AOC?
Leading platforms from Cisco, Arista, Juniper, NVIDIA/Mellanox, H3C, and Broadcom-based white-box switches support 400G QSFP112 AOC cables. We verify compatibility for your specific model before shipping.
What cable lengths are available?
Standard lengths include 1 m, 3 m, 5 m, 7 m, 10 m, 15 m, 20 m, and 30 m. Custom lengths are available for volume orders.
Do you offer custom part-number compatibility?
Yes. FiberMall can program cables to match specific vendor part numbers and EEPROM formats. Provide your target SKU or switch platform, and we will configure accordingly.
