just as Dan says larger gauge cables are definitely recommended for longer runs. The exact mapping of xx AWG to NN meters may be ill defined. not just set by COTS switch but also when the Roach2 and SFP+ Mezzanine card are included in the mix.
From the FCI and Molex data sheets :
FCI product family 10110818020xxLF : XX is length from 0.5 to 4.0meters : all 30 AWG 10110818030xxLF : XX is length from 0.5 to 5.0meters : all 28 AWG 10110818040xxLF : XX is length from 0.5 to 7.0meters : all 26 AWG 10110818050xxLF : XX is length from 0.5 to 10.0meters : all 24 AWG use HFLF if need halogen free Molex product family 747520xxx : xxx is length from 0.3 to 5.0 meters : all 32 AWG 747521xxx : xxx is length from 0.3 to 10.0 meters : all 30 AWG 747522xxx : xxx is length from 0.3 to 15.0 meters : all 28 AWG 747523xxx : xxx is length from 0.5 to 10.0 meters : all 26 AWG 747524xxx : xxx is length from 0.5 to 15.0 meters : all 24 AWG most longer lengths above 6.0 meters require system preemphasis and/or equalization. last time I looked I had more trouble finding a 1m cable with 28AWG relative to the 30AWG version. PAPER hopes to start lab testing of bunches of 3m 30 AWG FCI cables next week. On Thu, 25 Jul 2013, Dan Werthimer wrote:
Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 13:07:29 -0700 From: Dan Werthimer <[email protected]> To: "Gary, Dale E." <[email protected]> Cc: casper list <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [casper] SFP+ Cables hi dale, we've had good luck with copper SFP+ cables. we've tested 1, 2 and 3 meter copper cables, from mellanox, amphenol and the FCI cables that matt discusses below. for 1 meter, any gauge will work, but for long copper cables, i'm told that thicker gauge wires are more reliable. SFP+ cables are available with 32,30,28,26 gauge wires. we've been using 30 and 28 gauge. i'd stay away from 32 gauge for long cables. each switch manufacturer has a list of cables that they have tested on their switch and they promise those will work. so far all the cables we've purchased work fine on the various switches we have, including the dell 8024F. we've also had good luck with optical transceivers for SFP+. you can get these transceivers for long runs, up to 40km fiber links. the 10 and 40 km transceivers than the short run transceivers. you can also purchase dwdm and cwdm tranceivers with different color lasers so you can put up to about 100 10Gbit links on a fiber. best wishes, dan On Thu, Jul 25, 2013 at 10:27 AM, Matt Dexter <[email protected]> wrote: Hi Dale, I have very little experience with SFP+ cables but have no plans to use active fiber optic links for my 1 to 3meter cable runs. I've started to learn about such things as these passive copper 3meter cables FCI China, 10110818-2030LF http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/10110818-2030LF/609-3977-ND/233349 5 price at 50 units is $23.06160 312 in stock on 2013jul25 Digikey also has a) FCI 78 0.5m long versions at $20.22 @ qty 50 (july 15) b) FCI 30 5m long 28 awg at $27.5626 @ qty 50 (july 15) other searches I've used http://components.arrow.com/part/search/sfp+/%5E4/79/944?in_stock=on http://www.mouser.com/Wire-Cable/Cable-Assemblies/ filter based on SFP+, 1..3 meters 11 matches if select stocked FCI 10110818-2030LF 3m < $27 qty 50 (2013jul15 12 in stock) Molex 74752-2301 3m < $36 qty 50 (2013jul15 13 in stock) TE connectivity/AMP 3m 30 AWG $44 qty 50 (2013jul15 16 in stock) TE connectivity/AMP 3m 24 AWG < $43 qty 50 (2013jul15 4 in stock) I can't recall the details but weren't there some reports of issues with some particular brand of "short", maybe less than 1m, cables ? HTH, Matt On Thu, 25 Jul 2013, Gary, Dale E. wrote: Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 17:10:52 +0000 From: "Gary, Dale E." <[email protected]> To: casper list <[email protected]> Subject: [casper] SFP+ Cables Hi All, I need to order the cables for connecting our ROACH2 SFP+ mezzanine cards to a 10GBE swtich. We need only 1 m cables. I find some rather cheap "passive copper" cables(e.g.http://www.cablesondemand.com/pcategory/91/category/SFP%2B+CBL/URvars/ Catal og/Library/InfoManage/SFP+_CABLES_%28DIRECT_ATTACH%29.htm?gclid=CMSTkrqNy7g CFYdxQgodhnkAuw), but will these work, or do I need optical cables with tranceivers on each end? Seems overkill for 1 m! The 10 GBe switch is not yet defined, but I am looking for surplus Dell 8024F switches recommended by Dan W. Thanks, Dale
