High-Performance Data Center Connectivity with Single-Mode Transceivers and Breakout DAC/ACC Cables

Introduction

In modern data center architectures, performance, density, and scalability are critical for supporting bandwidth-hungry applications like AI model training, cloud services, and enterprise computing. This has driven the adoption of high-speed 800G connectivity using a combination of single-mode optical transceivers and breakout DAC/ACC cables. This hybrid solution offers both low-latency short-reach connections and long-range high-reliability links, ideal for leaf-spine topologies.

Use Case Overview

1. Server-to-Leaf Connectivity (≤5 meters)

To optimize cabling and minimize latency in high-density environments such as AI clusters or GPU pods, 800G OSFP breakout DAC or ACC cables are used for direct attach connections from servers to adjacent leaf switches.

  • Product Type: 800G OSFP Breakout DAC/ACC Cables

  • Reach: Up to 5 meters

  • Topology: One-to-multiple breakout (e.g., 1x800G OSFP to 2x400G QSFP112)

  • Benefits:

    • Zero power consumption (DAC)

    • Low latency and low cost

    • Simplified cable management

2. Leaf-to-Spine Connectivity (50 meters to 2 kilometers)

For inter-rack and inter-building links between leaf and spine switches, single-mode optical transceivers provide reliable, high-bandwidth links across longer distances.

a. 800G OSFP 2xFR4

  • Use Case: Leaf-to-Spine across data halls or buildings

  • Reach: Up to 2 km over single-mode fiber

  • Connector: Duplex LC

  • Application: High-performance computing, AI clusters, large-scale DCI

  • Benefits:

    • CWDM technology (4 wavelengths per channel)

    • Fewer fibers than DR8 or PSM8

    • Lower insertion loss and higher reliability

b. 800G OSFP 2xDR4

  • Use Case: Leaf-to-Spine or intra-building links

  • Reach: Up to 500 meters

  • Connector: MPO-12

  • Application: High port density deployments in confined spaces

  • Benefits:

    • 8-fiber parallel optics

    • High port utilization

    • Optimized for short-distance spine uplinks

Advantages of This Hybrid Architecture

  • Scalability: Supports thousands of servers and GPUs with minimal infrastructure changes.

  • Flexibility: Mix-and-match cable and transceiver types based on rack distance and density.

  • Reduced Costs: DACs reduce short-range costs while single-mode optics optimize long-haul performance.

  • Compatibility: Fully aligned with leading switch platforms such as NVIDIA SN5600 and Cisco 800G-ready infrastructure.

Conclusion

By combining breakout DAC/ACC cables for short-reach applications and 800G single-mode transceivers like 2xFR4 and 2xDR4 for longer distances, data centers can deploy a cost-effective, high-bandwidth, and future-ready network fabric. This architecture is particularly effective in hyperscale and AI-optimized environments where performance and reliability are paramount.