DAC (Direct Attach Copper) and AOC (Active Optical Cable) are two popular connectivity solutions for data center top-of-rack switching.
DAC Cables: Copper cable with transceivers permanently attached at both ends. Cost-effective for short distances (up to 7m). Passive design requires no power. Avai.
AOC Cables: Optical cable with embedded transceivers. Supports longer distances (up to 100m). Lighter and more flexible than copper for cable management. Slightly .
When to use DAC: Within the same rack (1-5m connections), cost-sensitive deployments, high-density environments.
When to use AOC: Between racks (5-100m), reducing cable weight in overhead trays, future bandwidth upgrades.
MarStars provides both DAC and AOC cables in all common form factors, tested for full compatibility with major switch brands.