Technical selection

EDR QSFP28 copper cables technical selection questions

Technical evaluation questions with variant-specific scope and sources.

Editorial Team•Oct 10, 2026
EDR QSFP28 copper cables technical selection questions

EDR QSFP28 copper cables technical selection questions

These questions are prepared from the cited technical documentation and clearly scoped owner inputs. They are not a measured frequency ranking. Keep the applicability line with each answer; do not transfer board, cooling, crypto, protocol, cable length or firmware facts between variants.

What protocol is established for these exact suffixes?

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The exact MCP1600-E001E30 and MCP1600-E003E26 rows establish 100G InfiniBand EDR. Their current Ethernet column says NA; this package does not transfer Ethernet claims from other MCP1600 variants.

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How do the two offered versions differ?

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E001E30 is 1 m with 30 AWG copper. E003E26 is 3 m with 26 AWG copper. Both use QSFP28 and four 25G-NRZ lanes.

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Does an EEPROM make this active copper?

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No. The signal path is passive; the end includes identification memory for the host. NVIDIA specifies 0.1 W maximum for the cable end.

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May an unsuffixed or -C cable be substituted?

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Not automatically. Preserve the exact E-series length and gauge suffix, then compare the receiving port, protocol and release table for the proposed replacement.

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Where does forward error correction take place?

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The FAQ places FEC in the switch and network adapter. Match the supported endpoint configuration; a cable does not independently fix a FEC mismatch.

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Why can a cable have two minimum bend radii?

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The connector exit generally needs a larger bend radius than the cable body. Follow the exact assembly drawing and leave adequate space behind the rack door.

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