Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution: ETH 100GbE to 4x25GbE, QSFP28 to 4xSFP28, 5m

The Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution redefines data-center cabling by delivering a scalable, plug-and-play means to convert a single 100GbE uplink into four independent 25GbE links. This 5-meter active optical cable combines high-density breakout capability with robust signal integrity, making it an ideal choice for modern leaf-spine architectures, cloud deployments, and rapid network upgrades. Designed for data centers and enterprise networks, this solution minimizes rack space consumption while maximizing port utilization across top-of-rack switches, aggregation layers, and high-performance NICs. Whether you’re modernizing a 10/40/100GbE fabric or expanding a densified 25GbE spine, the Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution provides a reliable, efficient path to higher bandwidth and greater flexibility.

• Seamless 100GbE to four 25GbE breakout: Converts a single 100GbE link into four independent 25GbE channels with minimal latency, enabling smarter bandwidth allocation and easier traffic segmentation across your network.
• QSFP28 to four SFP28 compatibility: Uses a standard QSFP28 host interface with four SFP28 breakout ports on the device side, promoting broad interoperability across major vendors and simplifying upgrades.
• 5-meter flexible deployment: The 5-meter length is tailored for rack-to-rack, between adjacent switches, and compact data-center environments where short reach and tidy cabling matter most.
• Low-latency, high-integrity design: Engineered to preserve signal quality across all four lanes, helping ensure predictable performance for latency-sensitive applications, virtualization workloads, and multi-tenant cloud services.
• Durable construction with integrated electronics: Built to endure demanding data-center conditions with reliable connectors and protective routing, reducing maintenance needs and extending the life of your 100G investments.

Technical Details of Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution

• Length: 5 meters
• End connections: QSFP28 on the host side; four SFP28 connectors on the breakout side
• Data rate conversion: 100 GbE to four 25 GbE channels
• Technology: Active optical cable (AOC) with integrated breakout electronics for real-time signal conversion
• Applications: Data centers, high-density top-of-rack and spine-leaf deployments, and scenarios requiring scalable 25GbE consolidation from a single 100GbE port

How to install Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution

• Power down the host equipment and confirm that the initiating port supports QSFP28 and that the target ports support SFP28 breakout connections.
• Connect the QSFP28 end to the 100GbE port on the switch, server, or NIC, ensuring the connector seats fully to avoid micro-movements or stress on the module.
• Route the 5-meter cable through clean cable channels, maintaining proper bend radii to protect the fiber and preserve signal integrity across all four lanes.
• Insert each of the four SFP28 connectors into their corresponding breakout ports with firm, even pressure; verify that all four lanes establish links before testing traffic.
• Power up the devices and run end-to-end validation using standard Ethernet test tools to confirm stable 100GbE-to-4x25GbE operation, verifying throughput, latency, and error rates across all lanes.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution? A: A 5-meter active optical breakout cable that converts a single 100 GbE QSFP28 link into four independent 25 GbE SFP28 links, enabling flexible, high-density networking in data centers.
• Q: Which environments benefit most from this solution? A: Data centers employing leaf-spine architectures, cloud infrastructure with dense 25GbE deployments, and environments seeking to maximize port density without replacing existing 100GbE equipment.
• Q: How does the active electronics impact latency? A: The integrated electronics are designed to minimize added latency, delivering near-native performance while providing deterministic behavior across all four 25GbE lanes.
• Q: Are there compatibility considerations? A: It is designed for interoperability with standard QSFP28 100G ports and SFP28 25G ports from multiple vendors, but always verify compatibility with your hardware vendor’s documentation.
• Q: What about installation and maintenance? A: The solution is plug-and-play with standard Ethernet validation, but care should be taken to avoid excessive bending, kinking, or twisting of the cable, and proper labeling helps with ongoing network management.