StarTech.com MSA Uncoded Compatible 5m 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ Direct Attach Breakout Cable Twinax - 40 GbE QSFP+ Copper DAC 40 Gbps Low Power Passive Transceiver Module DAC

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £34.92 ex-VAT, this is the kind of 5m 40G QSFP+ copper DAC breakout lead that’s genuinely good value *if* your network gear supports it without fuss. StarTech generally makes decent passive DACs, and at this length the “should just work” experience is usually better than with cheaper, no-name optics—especially in data halls or server racks where latency and reliability matter more than maximum reach. If you’re wiring between QSFP+ ports on the same rack/cage (or very close by), this is the sensible, cost-controlled alternative to buying active optics.

That said, I wouldn’t buy it blindly. The biggest risk isn’t quality—it’s compatibility. “MSA uncoded compatible” and “module DAC” language can be fine, or it can mean your switch might be picky about how it detects/authorises the link. If you’re the person who gets called when a port won’t come up, double-check your switch’s supported DAC/Direct Attach list (or at least confirm it’s known-good with your exact model/firmware). Also, 5m is great for short runs; if you’re even slightly pushing the environment or cable path constraints, copper DACs can be less forgiving than fibre. Overall: buy it if you’ve validated compatibility and you’re staying within that short-run use case; skip it if you need guaranteed plug-and-play on unknown or older hardware.