I need a 10 meter active SFP+ DAC to connect my workstation peer to peer to a server with Mellanox Connectx-2 cards. I might get a TP Link SFP+ enabled switch in the future.
Since the cables run for 81 USD new, which ones should be the most compatible? Generic? Cisco? Intel?
I own a TP-Link T1700G-28TQ. When I received it, I tried all the DAC cables I have, about 24 different ones from fs.com, both generic and cisco coded ones, as well as all sorts of authentic vendor dac cables from dell, hp, cisco, etc.
I also use Mellanox ConnectX2 cards as well as some Chelsio dualport cards.
They all work fine, but they are
passive dacs, I do not have any active DAC cables (and you will need active if you want to use a DAC for a distance that long!)
However, if your card and switch have SFP+ slots, why not just get transceivers and plug in an LC to LC multimode fiber?
That should be a lot cheaper than those long active DAC cables.
Regular fiber LC to LC cables are sold in all types and colors, even bend-resistant and armored versions are available if you need them in your house. (I just use the cheapest kind and run them in a small pvc pipe I have for my cables)
DAC's are generally cheapest with FS.com but LC to LC I find cheapest on ebay.
Here is a quick ebay shopping list to save you over 50% in costs:
253409698651 -> 1x LC to LC 10m cable 10,79 USD
202136661138 -> 2x 10G SFP+ Finisar transceiver 27,98 USD
TOTAL COST: 38,77 USD (incl. shipping)
Word of advice, do not buy the TP-Link T1700G-28TQ like I did if it's just to get some extra SFP+ slots.
Not that I have complaints about the TP-Link, but I wish that Mikrotik had released their CRS317-1G-16S+RM, then I would have bought that instead.
At only about 150 euro more, I would have had 12 more ports.