Product Overview
Black Box QSFP-H40G-AOC5M-BB 40GbE QSFP+ Active Optical Cable 5m - Unused
Black Box’s QSFP-H40G-AOC5M-BB is a 5-meter active optical cable built around the QSFP+ form factor, carrying four 10 Gbps lanes for a 40 GbE point-to-point link.
AOCs like this one package the optical engines directly into each connector, creating a lightweight, flexible assembly that routes cleanly through dense server rows. This unit’s quiet time in OEM storage preserved it well, waiting for the next build that needs reliable short-reach 40 GbE connectivity.
Product Condition
Unused, New Old Stock. Clean with intact connector housings and preserved cable jacket. No indications of operational wear.
Product Overview
Black Box is known for standardized interconnect hardware across networking and data-center environments. This model is coded for compatibility with Cisco platforms that accept third-party QSFP+ optics, supporting typical 40GBASE signaling. By integrating optics and electronics, the AOC maintains predictable link performance in short-reach designs while reducing the bulk and airflow obstruction of copper twinax.
Key Features
- QSFP+ interface carrying 4×10 Gbps aggregated 40 GbE
- 5-meter factory-terminated active optical cable
- Designed as Cisco QSFP-H40G-AOCxM compatible (platform validation advised)
- Lightweight optical construction for easier dressing in cable-dense racks
- Improved flexibility relative to 40 Gb twinax DACs
- Point-to-point 40 GbE link; not intended as a 4×10 Gb breakout
- Integrated electronics and optics for consistent short-range performance
- EMI immunity typical of fiber-based assemblies
Applications
- Spine–leaf 40 GbE switch uplinks
- Server-to-switch 40G NIC connections
- HPC node clustering requiring lightweight cabling
- Short-reach intra-rack or row deployments
- Storage arrays operating on 40 GbE back-end links
- Networking labs evaluating QSFP+ interconnect behavior
- Temporary or expansion builds needing fixed, known cable lengths
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this cable a modular transceiver plus patch cord?
No. It is a fully integrated AOC with fixed QSFP+ modules on both ends.
Will it work on all Cisco platforms?
It is coded for Cisco QSFP-H40G-AOCxM compatibility, but some systems enforce vendor-locking. Always confirm support on the specific switch or NIC.
Can it break out to four SFP+ ports?
No. This is a point-to-point 40 GbE assembly and not a 4×10 Gb breakout cable.
Why choose an AOC instead of a twinax DAC?
An AOC offers lower weight, better flexibility, and no susceptibility to EMI, which can simplify routing in high-density data-center racks.
Can the cable be repaired if damaged?
No. Because the optics and electronics are integrated, replacement is the standard remedy for damage.
Purpose-built for the era of dense 40 GbE fabrics, this cable brings a stable, lightweight link into any rack design. It waited in storage without a task—its next stretch of uptime begins with your network.
