How to choose between network card electrical port and optical port_Three accounts of distance, power consumption and cabling

How to choose between electrical port and optical port of optical fiber network card: three accounts of distance, power consumption and cabling status

Published: 2025-08-23 EB-LINK Views: 1602 Electrical network card, optical network card, DAC, wiring

It is also called a 10 Gigabit network card, but the usage of different interfaces is completely different: the electrical port uses RJ45 network cable, and the optical port uses fiber optic or DAC copper cable. Before selecting a model, first make clear calculations about distance, power consumption and existing wiring in the computer room.

Physical boundaries of the two types of interfaces

Electrical port such asPCI-EX4 10 Gigabit single electrical port network card (Aquantia AQtion AQC107 chip), using ordinary CAT6A copper cable, it is generally stable within 30 meters. The switch side requires a 10G electrical port module, and the port power consumption and heat generation are relatively high.
GuangruruPCI-EX8 10 Gigabit single electrical port network card (Intel 82599 chip)For its peer SFP+ series, the multi-mode 850nm wavelength can reach 300 meters on OM3, and single-mode starts at 10 kilometers. The module power consumption is usually single digit watts.

Determine the medium according to distance and wiring status

There is a simple division in engineering: DAC passive copper cables can be used directly within 3 meters of the same cabinet or adjacent cabinets, and the cost is lower than the combination of optical modules and jumpers; AOC active optical cables can be evaluated between cabinets of 3 meters to tens of meters, eliminating the need to configure modules; for links across computer rooms and buildings, single-mode jumpers should be added to optical modules and reserved for attenuation margins. If the computer room is already fully wired with copper cables and the points are all within 30 meters, the electrical port network card can be constructed without touching the optical fiber. On the contrary, it is recommended to directly use optical ports for new computer rooms, which will have better port density and power consumption.

Common combinations of two scenarios

The existing copper cable equipment room will be replenished with 10G points: the electrical interface network card and the switch side 10G electrical interface module will be used the fastest. Create a new access layer: Optical port network card with multi-mode module and LC-LC OM3 jumper, or use 10G DAC directly in the same cabinet. Long-distance backhaul scenarios such as security video surveillance use the optical interface route. Please refer toSecurity video surveillance fiber optic transmission solutionconsists of links. EB-LINK's electrical port and optical port network card can be matched with the module and jumper list according to the existing network switch port. If you are not sure, you can call 0755-83179002 to check.