Sixty percent of the 100G network cost is concentrated in the "cable" layer. Choosing the right boundaries between DAC/AOC/optical modules can save considerable budget without sacrificing reliability.

three distance zones

  • 0–5m (In-cabinet ToR and server/distribution frame): 100G DAC high-speed cable is preferred, the unit price is about 1/3 of the SR4 module + jumper combination, and the power consumption is almost zero;
  • 5–30m (across cabinets, in the same computer room): Copper cables above 3m become thicker and difficult to route. Use 100G AOC active optical cables, with integrated optical engines at both ends, and low plug-and-play failure rate;
  • 30m–10km (inter-building/park): SR4 covers 70–100m (OM3/OM4), PSM4/CWDM4 to 500m–2km, LR4 to 10km, and beyond 10km, use ER/ZR or relay.

Single port cost and power consumption comparison

Estimated based on typical engineering prices: DAC is the lowest but cannot exceed distance; AOC is in the middle and requires no end-face cleaning and maintenance; SR4+OM3 jumper combination is flexible but requires a module at each end, with a power consumption of about 3.5W/end; LR4 is used for long distance, with a power consumption of 3.5–4.5W/end. The choice of AOC/SR during large-scale deployment should be determined by operation and maintenance habits (preparing modules vs. preparing complete cables).

Design points

  • MPO-MPO trunk + MPO-LC branches can meet 40G SR4 parallel optics and avoid on-site splicing;
  • The higher the proportion of LC dual-core jumpers, the more 30% margin needs to be reserved for ODF terminal density;
  • Mixed rate (100G to 25G/40G to 10G) branch cables are more reliable than split modules;
  • Leave a 3dB budget margin for all links and record the initial receive and receive light values as a baseline.

Summary

The correct sequence for 100G cabling is to first draw the distance zone, then determine the media, and finally check the budget. EB-LINK provides three-band full coverage equipment and selection tables. Welcome to request project calculation support.