Modern data centres are under constant pressure to deliver more bandwidth, lower latency, and greater reliability — all while controlling costs and energy usage. From cloud providers to enterprise facilities, the demand for faster interconnects continues to grow as workloads become more data-intensive and latency-sensitive. DAC cables (Direct Attach Cables) have become a critical part of this infrastructure, offering a simple, reliable, and cost-effective way to connect servers, switches, and storage systems in high-density environments.

Short-Range Server-to-Switch Links

One of the most common use cases for DAC cables in data centres is server-to-top-of-rack (ToR) switch connectivity. These connections typically span less than 5–7 metres, making them ideal for DAC cables. By eliminating the need for separate optical transceivers, DACs deliver 10G SFP+ DAC, 25G SFP28 DAC, and even 800G OSFP DAC connections at a fraction of the cost of fibre optics, while also reducing installation complexity. This is especially valuable in hyperscale facilities where thousands of such connections are required.

Switch-to-Switch Connectivity in Leaf-Spine Architectures

As data centre networks move towards leaf-spine designs, DAC cables are increasingly used for high-speed switch-to-switch interconnects. Their plug-and-play deployment allows operators to expand capacity quickly, while the factory-terminated design ensures consistency and reliability across multiple racks. With bandwidth demands rising sharply in cloud computing and edge environments, DAC cables offer the performance needed to maintain low-latency data flows at scale.

Driving Down Cost and Power Consumption

For large-scale deployments, both cost and energy efficiency are major concerns. Optical links require transceivers on each end, which add to both the capital expenditure and ongoing power draw. By integrating the transceiver into the cable assembly, DAC cables cut both costs and power usage significantly. This makes them an attractive option for operators looking to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and align with sustainability goals in IT.

Simplified Deployment and Maintenance

In a data centre environment where speed of deployment matters, DAC cables offer a clear advantage. Because they are supplied in fixed lengths and pre-tested for performance, installation is straightforward and error-free. Maintenance is also simplified, as there are fewer individual components to manage compared to fibre-based connections. This allows network teams to spend less time troubleshooting and more time focusing on scaling capacity.

Reliability in Demanding Applications

Performance and uptime are critical in data centres where even a few seconds of downtime can have major consequences. DAC cables, with their direct copper connections, offer stable, low-latency performance that is ideal for applications such as cloud services, storage networking, and high-frequency trading. With fewer potential points of failure compared to fibre and transceivers, they deliver consistent reliability where it matters most.

Why Data Centres Choose Carritech DAC Cables

Carritech supplies DAC cables ranging from 10G SFP+ to 800G OSFP options, tested for compatibility with leading equipment vendors such as Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Huawei, and more. By holding stock locally in the UK and Europe, we provide fast delivery, expert guidance, and regional support, ensuring our customers have access to high-performance DAC solutions when they need them.

Key benefits for data centres include:

• Scalable performance – available in multiple speeds and form factors to support current and future needs.
• Lower costs – no separate transceivers required, reducing both capital and operational spend.
• Energy efficiency – lower power consumption than optical alternatives.
• Vendor compatibility – interoperability with a wide range of switches and servers.
• Local support – warranty and after-sales service delivered from the UK and EU.