Optic.ca NGQ100G-CU3M-OC — 100G QSFP28 passive copper DAC cable, 3 m
The Optic.ca NGQ100G-CU3M-OC is a 100GBASE-QSFP28 passive Twinax Direct Attach Cable (DAC) with a 3-metre copper assembly, designed for short-reach, high-density 100 Gigabit connections within data centre racks and top-of-rack switch installations. It is 100% NETGEAR certified — pre-validated for seamless plug-and-play compatibility with NETGEAR M4350 and M4500 series switches. As a passive copper DAC, it draws no power from the host switch and generates virtually no heat, making it ideal for high-port-density environments where power budgets are tight. Manufactured by Technologie Optic.ca Inc., a NETGEAR-partnered global leader in optical connectivity, the cable ships pre-tested and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
100% NETGEAR-Certified Compatibility
This cable is not merely claimed compatible — it is officially certified by NETGEAR and specifically pre-validated for NETGEAR M4350 and M4500 series switches. That means the switch recognises it natively on insertion, without any manual override or CLI workaround. In environments where a switch rejects uncertified optics and disables the port, this distinction eliminates a common and costly integration headache. Every unit is tested in-house by Optic.ca before shipment, so the compatibility assurance holds on arrival rather than being discovered as a problem after installation.
Zero-Power Passive Copper Design
As a passive DAC, the NGQ100G-CU3M-OC draws no power from the switch's SFP/QSFP budget — unlike active optical cables or transceivers with laser drivers, which each consume 1–3.5 W per port. In a high-density chassis fully populated with 32 or more 100G ports, the cumulative power and thermal difference between passive DAC and active optical is significant: lower electricity cost, less heat dissipation demand, and a reduced risk of thermal throttling. This makes passive DAC the default choice for any intra-rack or adjacent-rack run within the 3-metre reach.
Lifetime Warranty and Mission-Critical Reliability
Optic.ca is a NETGEAR-partnered supplier that manufactures to Tier 1 MTBF standards — the same reliability benchmark applied to OEM optics. The limited lifetime warranty means the cable is not a consumable; it is treated as infrastructure. For IT teams managing SLAs or uptime commitments, that warranty removes the risk of a recurring line-item replacement cost and simplifies asset accounting. Pre-shipment testing further ensures that a failed or borderline unit does not reach the installation.
