MikroTik XQ+DA0003 100G QSFP28 DAC Cable 3m Twinax

The MikroTik XQ+DA0003 is the lowest-cost 100G QSFP28 interconnect in MikroTik's current accessory lineup — a 3-metre passive DAC twinax cable with integrated QSFP28/QSFP+ connectors at USD 59.00, versus USD 89.00 for the XQ+85MP01D SR4 optical transceiver pair and USD 349.00 for the XQ+31LC10D LR4 optical transceiver. It is the correct 100G interconnect when the two devices being connected are within 3 metres of each other and copper cabling is acceptable — the standard top-of-rack to end-of-rack aggregation distance in a compact server room or ISP rack cabinet.

**DAC twinax — how it works and why it is cheaper than optical**

A direct attach copper cable (DAC) integrates the QSFP28 transceiver modules directly into the cable assembly — the connectors at each end are not separate pluggable transceivers, they are moulded permanently into the cable jacket. The twinax copper conductor carries the 100G signal electrically rather than optically, eliminating the laser, photodetector, and optical fiber of an SR4 or LR4 transceiver. The result: lower cost (USD 59.00 for the complete 3m assembly versus USD 178.00 for two XQ+85MP01D SR4 transceivers + OM4 MTP/MPO cable), zero laser alignment issues, and instant plug-in operation — no DDM optical power calibration required. The trade-off is reach: passive DAC cables are limited to approximately 3–5 metres maximum by copper signal integrity constraints at 100G. Beyond 3 metres, SR4 optical (XQ+85MP01D) is the correct choice.

**40G / 100G dual-rate — backward compatibility across generations**

The XQ+DA0003 operates at 100G in QSFP28 ports (100GBASE-CR4, 4× 25G electrical lanes) and at 40G in QSFP+ ports (40GBASE-CR4, 4× 10G electrical lanes) — using the same physical QSFP28/QSFP+ form factor connector at both ends. During a phased 40G-to-100G infrastructure migration, the XQ+DA0003 covers both generations without requiring a cable replacement — a QSFP+ port on one end and a QSFP28 port on the other is a valid mixed-rate connection at 40G limited by the lower-speed port.

**MikroTik-validated deployment: CCR2216 to CRS504**

MikroTik's own product description explicitly names the CCR2216 and CRS504 as the reference deployment: "Connect any two MikroTik 100 Gigabit heroes (CCR2216 & CRS504) without a hassle." In a rack where a CCR2216 core router occupies one U and a CRS504-4XQ-OUT or CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM occupies an adjacent U, the XQ+DA0003's 3m cable length is sufficient to reach between the two QSFP28 ports regardless of rack unit separation — MikroTik notes the flexible twinax construction allows devices to be positioned side by side or stacked vertically.

**Cross-sell note for wirelessnetware.ca:** List the XQ+DA0003 as the primary recommended interconnect accessory on the CCR2216, CRS504-4XQ-IN/OUT, CRS510-8XS-2XQ-IN, and CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM product pages with a clear three-way comparison:

- *"Same-rack copper ≤3m — XQ+DA0003 (USD 59.00)"*

- *"Short-reach 100m multimode fiber — XQ+85MP01D (USD 89.00)"*

- *"Long-reach 10km single-mode fiber — XQ+31LC10D (USD 349.00)"*

This three-tier accessory structure covers every 100G interconnect scenario from same-rack copper to campus-scale single-mode fiber at clearly differentiated price points.

**5-year software support note:** Not applicable — passive cable assembly, no firmware or software component.

**Canadian market note:** No certifications listed — passive copper cable assembly, no active electronics, no wireless transmitter. No ISED, FCC, or CE mark required for a passive copper cable. Confirm RoHS compliance with distributor for Canadian commercial sale.

Key specifications:

- **Product code:** XQ+DA0003

- **Type:** Passive direct attach copper (DAC) twinax

- **Connectors:** QSFP28-to-QSFP28 / QSFP+-to-QSFP+

- **Data rate:** 100G (QSFP28) / 40G (QSFP+)

- **Standard:** 100GBASE-CR4 / 40GBASE-CR4

- **Cable length:** 3m

- **Construction:** Flexible twinax copper

- **Optical components:** None (passive copper)

- **DDM / diagnostics:** None

- **MTBF:** ~100,000 hours at 25°C

- **Compatible devices:** CCR2216, CRS504-4XQ-IN/OUT, CRS510-8XS-2XQ-IN, CRS518-16XS-2XQ-RM

- **Certifications:** None listed (passive copper assembly)

- **Suggested price:** USD 59.00