NVIDIA Mellanox MC3309130-003 Passive Copper Cable, 10GbE Ethernet, SFP+ to SFP+, 3m: This enterprise networking cable is a 3-meter passive direct attach copper (DAC) cable for 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections, part number MC3309130-003. Both ends terminate in SFP+ connectors. As a passive cable, it requires no external power and adds minimal latency. This is a new unit.
Engineering Context
The MC3309130-003 provides a cost-effective, low-latency 10GbE link for short-distance connections within a rack or between adjacent racks. Passive copper DAC cables are the preferred interconnect for top-of-rack switching where distances are under 5 meters, delivering sub-microsecond latency compared to optical alternatives. At 3 meters, this cable operates well within the passive SFP+ copper specification (maximum 7 meters for 10GBASE-CR). No transceivers are needed — the SFP+ connectors are integrated into the cable assembly. The 30 AWG copper twinax construction keeps weight under 300g.
Deployment & Use Cases
Server-to-switch 10GbE connections within a single rack for VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, or KVM hypervisor clusters. Switch-to-switch interconnects for stacking or uplinks in spine-leaf architectures. iSCSI and NFS storage network connections at 10GbE. Cost-effective alternative to SFP+ transceivers with fiber patch cables for short distances in HPC and enterprise data centers.
Technical Specifications
OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
Part Number: MC3309130-003
Type: Passive DAC Cable
Data Rate: 10GbE (10GBASE-CR)
Connectors: SFP+ to SFP+
Length: 3 meters
Wire Gauge: 30 AWG twinax copper
Power Consumption: 0W (Passive)
Protocol: Ethernet
Weight: ~300g
Condition: New
Compatibility & Hard Constraints
Ethernet Only: This is a 10GbE Ethernet cable. It does not support InfiniBand. For InfiniBand SFP+ DAC cables, different Mellanox part numbers are required (e.g., MC3309124 series). SFP+ Ports Only: Both ends are SFP+. Not compatible with QSFP, QSFP28, QSFP56, or QSFP-DD ports. Passive Copper: Maximum practical reach is approximately 7 meters for 10GBASE-CR passive DAC. This 3m cable is well within the supported range. No Transceivers Needed: The SFP+ connectors are built into the cable. Predecessor: MC3309130-001 (1m), MC3309130-002 (2m). Longer option: MC3309130-005 (5m).
Why Choose T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS tests every cable for signal integrity and connector condition before shipment. We stock a wide range of DAC cables in various lengths and speeds with global shipping, 1–3 business day handling, and expert technical support.