In data center cabling, AOC active optical cable and DAC high speed cable are both used for data center short distance server interconnection and server switch interconnection. Many engineers ask: What is AOC cable? What is DAC cable? What is the difference between AOC and DAC? When should I use AOC vs DAC? This article gives a full comparison of performance, distance, cost, weight, and application scenarios to help you choose the right cable.

What Are the 8 Key Differences Between AOC and DAC?

AOC active optical cable VS DAC high speed cable

1. Different power consumption. The maximum power consumption of AOC active cable is lower than that of DAC high-speed cable.

2. Different transmission distance. The transmission distance of AOC active cable is longer than DAC high-speed cable. The transmission distance of AOC active optical cable (OM3) is generally up to 100m, while that of DAC high-speed cable is generally about 7m.

3. Different transmission media. AOC active optical cable adopts optical fiber material (insulation), which belongs to optical fiber communication and is not interfered by electromagnetic wave. The DAC high-speed cable is made of copper wire, which belongs to electrical communication and will be subject to electromagnetic interference.

4. Different transmission signals. The transmission signal of AOC active optical cable is optical signal, while that of DAC high-speed cable is low-voltage pulse signal.

5. Different prices. On the one hand, the price of optical fiber material is higher than that of copper cable. On the other hand, the modules at both ends of active optical cable contain lasers, while DAC high-speed cable does not. Therefore, the price of AOC active optical cable is much higher than that of DAC high-speed cable.

6. Different volume and weight. In the same length, the weight of AOC active optical cable is about one fourth of that of DAC high-speed cable, and its volume is about half of that of DAC high-speed cable, which is convenient for wiring and transportation.

7. Different transmission performance. The bit error rate of AOC active cable is lower than that of DAC high-speed cable.

8. Different devices. DAC high-speed cable has no optical device, while AOC active cable contains laser.

To summarize simply:
DAC: copper, low cost, very short distance (<5–7m), light, no laser
AOC: optical fiber, longer distance (<100m), lighter, anti-interference, with laser

What AOC Cables Does ETU-LINK Provide?

Types of AOC active optical cable:

What DAC Cables Does ETU-LINK Provide?

Types of DAC direct attach cable:

How to Choose Between AOC and DAC?

When selecting cables, we need to consider transmission distance and wiring cost. Generally speaking, DAC high-speed cable can be used for interconnection distance within 5m, and AOC active optical cable can be used for interconnection distance within 5m-100m.

FAQ: Common Questions About AOC vs DAC
1) What is the full name of AOC and DAC?
AOC = Active Optical Cable; DAC = Direct Attach Copper Cable.

2) Can AOC and DAC be used interchangeably?
No. AOC uses optical signals; DAC uses electrical signals. They are not compatible.

3) Why is DAC limited to short distance?
Copper has high attenuation at high speed. Signal quality drops rapidly beyond 5–7m.

4) Is AOC or DAC more reliable?
AOC has lower bit error rate and anti-interference. DAC is more reliable for very short links.

5) Does DAC require power?
Passive DAC needs no power. AOC needs low power for laser drivers.

Last updated: May 21, 2026