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With the rapid growth of AI, HPC, and hyperscale data centers, 800G Direct Attach Copper Cables (DAC) have emerged as a cost-effective, low-power solution for short-reach data transmission. Compared to optical modules (e.g., AOC), DAC eliminates photoelectric conversion, reducing power consumption to near-zero and cutting costs by over 50% for rack-scale interconnects (≤2m)
●Market Drivers: AI training and big data demand ultra-low latency<1μs and="" high="" bandwidth="" 800gbps="">
●Technological Advances: From 100G/400G to 800G, DAC leverages multi-channel parallel transmission and signal integrity optimization, while supporting PCIe 5.0/6.0 for future scalability.
●Competitive Landscape: C-LIGHT challenge foreign dominance with self-developed 800G DAC solutions
Technical Insights of CLOP8-OP8CU-2
The C-LIGHT CLOP8-OP8CU-2 is an OSFP-based 800G DAC designed for AI clusters and dense data centers, featuring:
●High-Speed Performance
800G Full-Duplex: 16-pair copper enables 8×112Gbps PAM4 modulation, compatible with NVIDIA GPUs and switches.
2m Reach: Active Copper Cable (ACC) ensures signal stability with BER<1e-15.<>
●Industrial Reliability
Wide Temperature: Operates in commercial (0°C~70°C) and industrial (-40°C~85°C) environments.
Thermal Efficiency: OSFP Fin-top design with integrated heatsinks reduces thermal rise, achieving MTBF >200,000 hours.
●Compatibility & Flexibility
Backward Compatibility: Supports 400G/200G rates for legacy networks.
Plug-and-Play: Zero-configuration deployment simplifies operations
Applications
●AI Data Centers
Connects NVIDIA DGX/HGX systems for large-scale GPU clusters, reducing optical module costs.
●High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Enables lossless data transfer between servers and storage nodes with latency<0.5μs.<>
●Cloud Networking
Spine-Leaf architecture backbone for high-density, energy-efficient networks
Advantages vs. Optical Modules
| Metric | AOC | CLOP8-OP8CU-2 DAC |
| Cost | High (optic chips) | Low (passive) |
| Power | 440mW/port | <10mw> |
| Distance | Up to 100m (MMF) | ≤5m (optimized) |
| Deployment | Fiber management | Plug-and-play |
Market Trends & Future
●Green Data Centers: DAC’s low power supports PUE< 1.2
●Localization: DAC manufacturers expect 25% CAGR (2024-2027)
●Standardization: OSFP MSA and IEEE 802.3ck enhance ecosystem compatibility
800G DAC 2M FAQ
Q1: What is an 800G DAC 2M cable?
A: An 800G DAC (Direct Attach Copper) 2M cable is a high-speed passive or active copper interconnect designed for short-reach 800Gbps Ethernet and InfiniBand connections. It directly links switches, servers, storage systems, and AI GPUs without requiring optical transceivers, delivering ultra-low latency, low power consumption, and cost-effective deployment.
Key features include:
800Gbps data rate
2m copper transmission
OSFP or QSFP-DD form factor
Ultra-low latency
Plug-and-play installation
It is ideal for AI clusters, hyperscale data centers, high-performance computing (HPC), and cloud networking environments.
Q2: How does an 800G DAC cable work?
A: An 800G DAC cable transmits high-speed electrical signals directly through precision copper conductors between two network devices. Since no optical-electrical conversion is required, DAC cables minimize latency, reduce power consumption, and simplify deployment.
This direct copper connection makes DAC cables an efficient solution for short-distance links between servers, switches, storage systems, and GPU clusters.
Q3: What are the key features of the C-LIGHT 800G DAC 2M?
A: The C-LIGHT 800G DAC 2M is engineered for high-density AI and cloud computing networks, providing reliable short-distance connectivity with excellent signal integrity.
Key features include:
800Gbps full-duplex transmission
2m transmission distance
OSFP and QSFP-DD options
IEEE 802.3ck compliant
Commercial and industrial temperature versions
Excellent compatibility with mainstream switches and servers
These features deliver stable performance and flexible deployment for next-generation AI infrastructure.
Q4: What are the advantages of an 800G DAC cable?
A: Compared with optical transceivers or Active Optical Cables (AOCs), an 800G DAC cable offers several advantages for short-distance interconnections.
Key advantages include:
Lower deployment cost
Ultra-low latency
Very low power consumption
High reliability
Simple plug-and-play installation
These advantages make DAC cables the preferred choice for rack-level and adjacent-rack connectivity in AI and cloud data centers.
Q5: Where are 800G DAC cables commonly used?
A: 800G DAC cables are widely deployed in bandwidth-intensive computing environments requiring reliable, low-latency communication.
Typical applications include:
AI GPU clusters
Hyperscale data centers
High-performance computing (HPC)
Top-of-Rack (ToR) networking
Server-to-switch connections
Cloud computing infrastructure
These applications benefit from high bandwidth, energy efficiency, and simplified cable management.
Q6: Why choose an 800G DAC instead of an AOC?
A: An 800G DAC cable is optimized for short-reach applications where minimizing cost, latency, and power consumption is the highest priority.
Its advantages include:
Lower total deployment cost
Near-zero power consumption (passive DAC)
Lower transmission latency
Easier cable management
Excellent long-term reliability
For connections beyond several meters, AOC solutions generally provide greater transmission reach, while DAC remains the most economical solution for in-rack deployments.
Q7: How do you choose the right 800G DAC cable?
A: Selecting the appropriate 800G DAC cable depends on your network architecture and equipment requirements.
Cable Length
Required transmission distance
2m deployment scenario
Interface Type
OSFP
QSFP-DD
Cable Type
Passive DAC
Active DAC
Network Compatibility
Switch and server compatibility
Operating temperature
Ethernet or InfiniBand application
Choosing the correct cable ensures reliable operation, simplified deployment, and optimal network performance.
Q8: Why choose the C-LIGHT 800G DAC 2M?
A: The C-LIGHT 800G DAC 2M combines ultra-high bandwidth, exceptional signal integrity, and low power consumption in a compact copper interconnect solution.
It provides:
800Gbps high-speed transmission
2m short-reach connectivity
Ultra-low latency
Plug-and-play deployment
Excellent compatibility with mainstream networking platforms
Reliable performance for AI and cloud infrastructure
It is an ideal solution for AI data centers, GPU clusters, cloud computing, hyperscale networking, HPC systems, and next-generation 800G Ethernet deployments.
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