Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution: 100GbE to 4x25GbE QSFP28 to 4xSFP28, 10m

Introducing the Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution, a high-performance breakout cable engineered to maximize port density and flexibility in modern data centers. This 10-meter fiber optic cable bridges a single 100 GbE QSFP28 link to four independent 25 GbE SFP28 links, delivering scalable, high-bandwidth connectivity for network devices, switches, and servers. Designed for data centers pursuing simplified cabling, lower latency, and efficient utilization of existing infrastructure, this hybrid solution combines the speed of 100 GbE with the versatility of four 25 GbE channels in a single, compact assembly.

• Breakout efficiency and scalable design: The core capability is forwarding one 100 GbE QSFP28 connection into four discrete 25 GbE SFP28 links. This enables you to densify your rack and optimize topologies for leaf-spine or campus-style layouts. By consolidating four 25 GbE lanes behind a single 100 GbE port, you gain flexible connectivity for servers, storage nodes, and distribution switches without sacrificing performance or port density.
• Active fiber hybrid architecture for signal integrity: The solution employs an active fiber hybrid approach to preserve signal quality over its 10-meter length. This design helps maintain robust performance, reducing error rates and ensuring reliable transmission across the breakout, even in environments with complex routing and patching. The result is lower retransmissions, steadier throughput, and improved overall link stability for demanding workloads.
• Plug-and-play compatibility with broad device ecosystems: Engineered to work with standard QSFP28 ports on top-of-rack and spine switches, as well as SFP28 interfaces on servers and storage devices, this cable minimizes integration friction. IT teams can deploy the hybrid breakouts with common equipment and avoid extensive reconfiguration, enabling faster upgrades and smoother migrations in growing data centers.
• Rugged construction and performance attributes: The 10 m (32.81 ft) fiber pathway is built for data-center environments, featuring reliable optical connectors and a durable jacket designed to resist everyday handling, routing, and installation wear. The architecture is optimized for low insertion loss, excellent return loss, and stable performance under high-density cable deployments, with careful attention to bend radius and cable management.
• Cost-effective, streamlined cabling strategy: By consolidating four 25 GbE links into a single 100 GbE backbone, this solution reduces the sheer number of active cables and interconnects required in dense racks. Fewer cables translate into less patch-panel complexity, easier maintenance, improved airflow, and potential energy savings—especially in deployments that demand scalable, modular growth over time.

Technical Details of Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution

• Product type: Active fiber hybrid breakout cable
• Length: 10 meters (32.81 feet)
• First end: 1 x QSFP28 network connector
• Second end: 4 x SFP28 network connectors
• Data rate: 100 Gbit/s total, with four 25 Gbit/s lanes
• Fiber type: Optical fiber for high-bandwidth, low-latency transmission
• Cable/wiring configuration: QSFP28 to four SFP28 breakout configuration
• Intended use: Breakout from a single 100 GbE port to four 25 GbE ports on compatible network devices

How to install Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution

• Power down the equipment and disconnect any existing cabling from the QSFP28 port and the four SFP28 ports you plan to connect.
• Connect the QSFP28 end securely into the 100 GbE port on your switch, router, or server that will act as the primary uplink.
• Attach each of the four SFP28 ends to the corresponding 25 GbE ports on the downstream devices or NICs, ensuring proper alignment and finger-safe handling of connectors.
• Route the cable with attention to bend radius and cable management best practices; avoid sharp bends and protect connectors from contamination to maintain optical performance.
• Power on the equipment and verify link status, session stability, and throughput. Monitor performance metrics such as utilization, error counters, and latency to confirm a successful breakout configuration.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the primary purpose of the Accortec Active Fiber Hybrid Solution? — It converts one 100 GbE QSFP28 link into four separate 25 GbE SFP28 links, enabling high-density connectivity and flexible network architectures in data centers.
• Which devices are compatible with this breakout cable? — It is designed to work with standard QSFP28 ports on switches and servers, and SFP28 ports on downstream devices, making it suitable for many common vendors and platforms.
• What length is the cable and why is length important? — The connector assembly is 10 meters (32.81 feet) long, providing a practical balance between reach and signal integrity for typical rack-to-rack or cross-rab scenarios while supporting multi-hop layouts.
• How does an active fiber hybrid differ from a passive breakout? — The active hybrid design incorporates components that help sustain signal quality over distance, reducing latency and error rates compared to purely passive fiber setups, especially in longer runs or complex cabling environments.
• Can this solution reduce cabling complexity in a data center? — Yes. By consolidating four 25 GbE links into a single 100 GbE pathway, it reduces the number of separate cables and interconnects, easing patching, cooling, and cable management in dense deployments.