DMS8821X-ECxx OSFP to OSFP Active Optical Cable (8×53.12GBaud)
- Technology
- Fibre optic cables, connectors and assemblies
- Partner
- Ligent
The DMS8821X-ECxx OSFP Active Optical Cable is a high-performance twin-port interconnect designed for next-generation 800G networks. It comes with OSFP connectors on both ends, enabling a direct 1:1 link without separate transceivers. One end integrates an active signal conditioning module, which regenerates and cleans the 8×53.125 GBaud PAM4 signals, allowing reliable communication over distances up to 3 metres. This active cable solution is well-suited for modern data centres, cloud computing clusters, and high-performance computing (HPC) installations where ultra-fast, short-reach links are needed between switches, servers, or storage devices.
The assembly supports both 800G Ethernet and InfiniBand NDR standards, ensuring seamless integration into diverse networking environments. With hot-pluggable OSFP modules and standard 3.3 V power draw, the DMS8821X-ECxx series offers a convenient, drop-in replacement for separate transceiver-fibre setups in intra-rack and inter-rack connectivity, combining simplicity with enterprise-grade performance.
Range features
A high level overview of what this range offers
- 800 Gb/s aggregate throughput (8×106.25 Gb/s PAM4 lanes) – Delivers extremely high data bandwidth suitable for data-intensive applications and next-gen network backbones.
- InfiniBand NDR & 800G Ethernet compatibility – Ensures the cable can be used in both cutting-edge HPC systems and standard 800 GbE data centre infrastructures without interoperability issues.
- Active signal regeneration up to 3 m reach – The built-in retimer on one end maintains signal integrity over distances up to 3 metres, enabling reliable short-range links (e.g. within racks or between adjacent racks) that passive cables cannot support as effectively.
- 28 AWG and 30 AWG twinax cable options – Available with different wire gauges (28 AWG for shorter lengths, 30 AWG for longer) to balance minimal attenuation with cable flexibility, reducing bulk while preserving performance at the rated distance.
- Power consumption: 12 W (active end) / 1 W (passive end) – Draws moderate power within standard OSFP module budgets: the passive end has negligible power draw, and the active end’s consumption is designed to be manageable in high-density deployments.
- Standard OSFP form-factor with 3.3 V supply – Uses the industry-standard OSFP modular form factor and power rail, making it hot-pluggable and easy to install or swap without shutting down equipment.
- Operating case temperature 0 °C to 70 °C – Rated for typical indoor server-room conditions, ensuring stable operation in normal data centre environments (commercial temperature range).
- MSA and regulatory compliance – Fully compliant with the OSFP Multi-Source Agreement, IEEE 802.3ck 800G specifications, and CMIS 4.0 management interface. The cable assembly is also RoHS compliant, meeting environmental and safety standards.
What’s in this range?
All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer
Part Number | Description | Breakout | Max Reach | Terminal A Data Rate | Terminal A Package | Terminal B Data Rate | Terminal B Package | Cable AWG | Temp. Range | Spec Sheet |
DMS8821X-EC30 | OSFP to OSFP Active Optical Cable | 1:1 | 3 m | 800 Gb/s | OSFP | 800 Gb/s | OSFP | 30 AWG | 0–70 °C (Commercial) | – |
DMS8821X-EC15 | OSFP to OSFP Active Optical Cable | 1:1 | 1.5 m | 800 Gb/s | OSFP | 800 Gb/s | OSFP | 28 AWG | 0–70 °C (Commercial) | – |
FAQs
for DMS8821X-ECxx OSFP to OSFP Active Optical Cable (8×53.12GBaud)
It refers to the signal rate and modulation per lane. The DMS8821X-ECxx uses eight high-speed lanes, each running at 53.125 GBaud with PAM4 modulation (four-level pulse amplitude modulation). This is equivalent to roughly 106.25 Gb/s per lane, which together provide an aggregate data throughput of about 800 Gb/s.
An active optical cable like the DMS8821X-ECxx has electronics (a signal retimer/equaliser) built into one of the OSFP connector modules. This active circuitry cleans and boosts the signal, allowing for longer reach and thinner cable gauge than a purely passive copper cable. In contrast, a passive direct-attach cable relies only on the physical cable properties for signal transmission and is typically limited to shorter distances or thicker, lower-loss cables.
Yes. This cable is fully compatible with InfiniBand NDR, which is the 800 Gb/s InfiniBand standard. It can interconnect InfiniBand NDR host channel adapters and switches using OSFP ports. It also supports 800G Ethernet operation as defined by IEEE 802.3ck, so it works in standard Ethernet switching environments as well.
The assembly uses OSFP (Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable) connectors on both ends. OSFP is a hot-pluggable transceiver form factor. This means you can insert or remove the DMS8821X-ECxx cable from OSFP cages under power without shutting down the system. The connectors have an integrated latch mechanism for secure connection and easy removal.
This product series is available in at least 1.5 metre and 3 metre versions (and potentially other lengths as indicated by the “xx” in the part number). Both lengths support the full 800 Gb/s data rate. The main difference is the internal wire gauge: the 1.5 m cable uses a slightly thicker 28 AWG twinax for optimal signal integrity, while the 3 m cable uses 30 AWG. Thanks to the active signal conditioning in the cable, both variants deliver reliable performance within their reach, so you can choose the length based on your physical layout needs without worrying about throughput reduction.
The active end of the cable (one of the OSFP modules) consumes up to about 12 W, while the opposite (passive) end is very low-power (around 1 W or less). Power is supplied through the standard 3.3 V pins of the OSFP port in the host equipment. In practice, this means the active cable draws power from the switch or server it’s plugged into, just like a typical transceiver module. There is no need for any external power source—power management and delivery are handled by the OSFP interfaces in your equipment.
Yes. The DMS8821X-ECxx conforms to the OSFP MSA and uses the CMIS (Common Management Interface Specification) protocol (version 4.0) for management. This means a host system can communicate with the cable’s active module to monitor parameters such as temperature, voltage, and error counts, and to control settings if needed. In essence, the active cable behaves similar to an optical transceiver from a software perspective, allowing network administrators to get diagnostic information via the standard interface.
Use the DMS8821X-ECxx active cable for short-distance, high-bandwidth links (up to a few metres) within a rack or between adjacent racks. In these scenarios, it provides a cost-effective and simple solution by eliminating the need for separate optical modules and fibre patch cords. It offers low latency and power comparable to short-reach optical solutions but with a straightforward plug-in cable approach. However, for longer distances beyond the cable’s reach (e.g. tens of metres across a data hall), optical transceivers with fibre would be required. In summary, for inside-rack and near-rack 800G connections, this active cable is an efficient choice, whereas for room-scale interconnects, you would opt for optical links.
This active cable is designed for standard data centre environmental conditions. It operates in a 0 °C to 70 °C case temperature range, which covers typical controlled indoor settings. The design is RoHS compliant (free of hazardous substances) to meet environmental regulations. In terms of reliability, the cable and its connectors follow industry standards: they are rated for a high number of insertions, and the electronics are expected to meet the error rate requirements of 800G links (with forward error correction ensuring a very low bit error rate in normal operation). Overall, it adheres to the relevant IEEE and OSFP specifications to ensure safe, long-term deployment in enterprise environments.
