Short-reach 1G, 10G and 25G rack connectivity
MikroTik XS+DA0003 in Dubai, UAE
A three-metre passive direct attach cable for compatible SFP, SFP+ and SFP28 equipment, intended for efficient links inside racks and between nearby cabinets.
Share both endpoint models, required speed, quantity and cable route so compatibility can be reviewed.
For nearby rack equipment
Speed depends on endpoints
No separate optics required
Confirm both connected devices
Direct answer for buyers
The MikroTik XS+DA0003 is a three-metre direct attach copper cable with integrated SFP-family ends. It is mainly used to create short links between compatible network, server or storage ports at 1G, 10G or 25G. It is worth considering when both devices are close together and a passive cable is preferable to purchasing two optical modules and a fibre patch cord. Before proceeding, confirm the exact port type and supported interface speed at both ends, passive DAC support, cable routing, bend space and whether a one-metre or three-metre cable is the better physical fit. Cross-vendor connections require particular care because connector shape does not by itself establish compatibility.
What it does
The XS+DA0003 provides a direct electrical connection between two compatible SFP, SFP+ or SFP28 interfaces. Because the transceiver-style ends are built into the cable, the link does not require separate removable optical modules. For a short rack-level connection, this can simplify the bill of materials, reduce the number of parts that must be matched and avoid the handling requirements associated with optical connectors.
Its supported data rates are 1G, 10G and 25G. The actual operational speed is determined by the two endpoint devices, their ports, interface configuration and supported negotiation behaviour. The cable does not upgrade a port: a 10G-only interface remains limited to 10G, while a 25G SFP28 link requires 25G capability on both sides.
Who it suits
This cable may fit network teams, system integrators, service providers, data-centre operators and business IT departments connecting equipment within a cabinet or across adjacent racks. Typical endpoints can include MikroTik routers and switches, compatible server network adapters, storage systems and other devices that accept passive DAC assemblies at the required speed.
It is not the right choice when the route exceeds three metres, when electrical isolation is required, when the endpoint rejects third-party or passive DAC coding, or when the cable must pass through a pathway that cannot accommodate the connector bodies. Fibre or active optical cable options may be more suitable in those circumstances.
Business challenges this cable can help address
Too many link components
A conventional fibre link commonly requires two compatible transceivers plus a correctly specified fibre patch cord. A DAC combines the two ends and cable into one assembly for suitable short-reach applications.
Short-distance rack links
Using long-reach optics for equipment separated by only a few metres can add unnecessary cost and component management. The three-metre XS+DA0003 is intended for close equipment placement.
Mixed upgrade stages
Support for 1G, 10G and 25G can be useful in environments moving through different interface generations, provided the chosen speed is supported and configured at both endpoints.
Rack power and heat planning
Passive direct attach links do not use the same powered optical conversion process as separate optical modules, making them attractive where low-power, short-distance connectivity is appropriate.
Product-fit matrix
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| 25G rack link | Both endpoints provide compatible SFP28 interfaces | 25G DAC support, port configuration and device compatibility |
| 10G equipment connection | Both endpoints support SFP+ passive DAC operation | Interface speed settings and vendor coding restrictions |
| Three-metre route | The measured path fits without tension or tight bends | Rack path, bend allowance and connector clearance |
| Cross-vendor link | Both manufacturers accept the cable type and coding | Compatibility documentation or controlled testing |
| Longer building link | Usually not suitable | Consider fibre transceivers or active optical cable instead |
Verified product information
| Brand | MikroTik |
|---|---|
| Product code | XS+DA0003 |
| Product type | Passive direct attach cable |
| Connector family | SFP / SFP+ / SFP28 direct attach ends |
| Supported data rates | 1G / 10G / 25G, subject to endpoint support |
| Cable length | 3 metres |
| Standards guidance | Direct-attach compliant and stated by the manufacturer to conform to SFP+ MSA specifications |
| MTBF guidance | Approximately 100,000 hours at 25°C, according to manufacturer specifications |
| Licensing | No software license is normally associated with the cable itself |
| Power requirement | Passive cable; endpoint interface requirements still apply |
| Included components | One integrated three-metre direct attach cable; packaging contents should be confirmed with the quotation |
| Warranty guidance | Confirm applicable UAE warranty terms with FourTeck before purchase |
| Availability | Contact FourTeck for current UAE availability, quantity and lead-time guidance |
Compatibility and dependency notice
The fact that a device has an SFP, SFP+ or SFP28 cage does not automatically prove that it supports this cable. Some platforms restrict passive DAC use, accept only particular cable coding, require manual interface-speed settings or support a limited set of combinations. Confirm the exact router, switch, server adapter or storage-controller model on each side of the proposed link. For cross-vendor deployments, review both manufacturers’ compatibility information and plan a controlled link test where the documentation is incomplete.
At 25G, both endpoints must support the required SFP28 mode. At 10G, both must support compatible SFP+ operation. A fallback to 1G may require explicit configuration and is not guaranteed for every port. FourTeck can review the intended topology, but final interoperability can remain dependent on firmware, interface configuration and vendor policy.
A practical purchase and deployment journey
Identify endpoints
Record the full model number of both devices and the exact ports that will be linked.
Choose the speed
Confirm whether the link will operate at 1G, 10G or 25G and whether both sides support that mode.
Measure the route
Allow for vertical and horizontal rack management, connector clearance and an appropriate bend radius.
Confirm quantity
Include production links, planned redundancy and reasonable spares in the procurement discussion.
Install and test
Seat both ends fully, configure interfaces where needed, then verify speed, stability and error counters.
Three-metre reach for orderly rack design
Cable length is a design decision, not simply a purchasing preference. The XS+DA0003 is intended for a physical path of up to three metres between connected ports. A direct line measurement can be misleading because an installed cable commonly travels through horizontal managers, down a rack side, across a cabinet boundary and back toward the destination port. Buyers should measure the intended routed path and leave enough slack to avoid mechanical strain without creating a large coil that obstructs airflow.
The integrated connector bodies are larger than the cable itself. Check clearance around dense SFP cages, cabinet doors, brush panels and cable-entry points. Avoid tight bends immediately behind the connector and do not pull the assembly by the release latch. For adjacent cabinets, confirm that the cable pathway permits the connector to pass through and remains protected from sharp edges. Where three metres is excessive, the one-metre XS+DA0001 may produce a cleaner installation. Where three metres is insufficient, fibre or an active optical alternative should be evaluated rather than extending or joining a passive DAC.
Using one cable across different interface generations
Support for 1G, 10G and 25G gives the XS+DA0003 a useful position in mixed-generation infrastructure. A business may operate 10G switch uplinks today while planning 25G server or router connections for a later phase. The cable can support these data-rate families, but it should not be interpreted as automatic multi-rate negotiation in every combination. Some devices require the interface speed to be set manually, and some hardware ports support only a subset of the stated rates.
For 25G use, confirm that both cages are SFP28-capable and that the connected equipment supports passive copper assemblies at 25G. For 10G use, verify SFP+ DAC acceptance. For 1G, check whether both devices explicitly support 1G operation through the relevant cage and cable type. The safest procurement approach is to specify the intended speed and both endpoint models on the request for quotation. This turns a generic cable order into a defined link requirement and reduces the risk of discovering a platform restriction during installation.
Operational simplicity compared with short fibre links
A passive DAC can reduce the number of components required for a short high-speed connection. Instead of selecting two transceivers, confirming their wavelength and fibre type, matching connector polish and purchasing a patch lead, the buyer procures one integrated assembly. This can simplify inventory records, installation preparation and replacement planning for standard rack links.
The simplicity has boundaries. Fibre remains valuable for longer reach, electrical isolation, structured cabling paths and situations where smaller fibre connectors are easier to route than a fixed DAC assembly. Optical links can also be preferable when equipment is separated by different power domains or when a vendor’s passive-cable compatibility is uncertain. The right decision therefore depends on more than headline speed. Consider distance, pathway, platform support, serviceability, redundancy strategy and future rack changes. FourTeck can help compare the XS+DA0003 with one-metre DAC, active optical cable and transceiver-plus-fibre approaches for a defined bill of materials.
Ideal business environments and use cases
Data-room aggregation
Short uplinks between compatible MikroTik switches, routers and aggregation devices where the cable route remains within three metres.
Server connectivity
Connections from compatible network adapters to top-of-rack switches at 10G or 25G, subject to NIC and switch acceptance of the passive cable.
Storage networking
Short links for supported storage arrays, backup appliances or clustered systems where the required data rate and platform interoperability are confirmed.
Lab and staging racks
A reusable link option for controlled testing, appliance staging and topology validation across equipment with compatible SFP-family ports.
Service-provider cabinets
Compact interconnects for routing and switching platforms in managed racks where power, port density and cable organisation matter.
Redundant uplink pairs
Dual physical connections can be planned where the devices and network design support redundancy, bonding, MLAG or another resilient architecture.
Integration and operational considerations
Plan the cable as part of the complete link rather than as an isolated accessory. Document the source and destination ports, expected speed, VLAN or routed role, redundancy relationship and maintenance ownership. During installation, inspect the cable and connector housings, avoid twisting the assembly, seat each end completely and label both ends with a consistent identifier. The labels should not obstruct the release mechanism or airflow around densely populated ports.
After connection, verify that the interface comes up at the intended rate. Review link flaps, error counters, dropped packets and device logs during an initial observation period. A link that appears up is not necessarily operating at the planned speed or without errors. Where a manual speed is configured, record that setting in the network documentation. For redundant pairs, test failure and recovery behaviour according to the switch, router, server or storage design rather than assuming that two physical links automatically provide resilience.
Firmware and software versions can influence interface behaviour. When troubleshooting, compare both endpoint versions with vendor recommendations, confirm interface configuration and test the cable in a known-supported port where possible. Replacing the cable should be one part of a structured diagnosis, not the only step.
Questions to resolve before ordering
Provide the manufacturer and full model number for both connected devices, including the network adapter where a server is involved.
Identify whether each port is SFP, SFP+, SFP28 or a multi-rate cage and confirm passive DAC support.
State whether the planned operational rate is 1G, 10G or 25G and whether manual configuration is acceptable.
Measure the routed cable path, not only the straight-line distance between devices.
Compatibility must be checked on both sides when connecting equipment from different manufacturers.
Include rack installation, configuration, testing or documentation needs in the quotation request where relevant.
Procurement checklist
☐ Exact model: MikroTik XS+DA0003
☐ Required quantity and spare quantity
☐ Source device and port model
☐ Destination device and port model
☐ Intended 1G, 10G or 25G speed
☐ Passive DAC support at both endpoints
☐ Cross-vendor compatibility confirmation
☐ Measured routed distance and bend allowance
☐ Rack and cable-management pathway
☐ Redundancy or paired-link requirement
☐ Installation and testing scope
☐ UAE delivery destination
☐ Required project timeline
☐ Warranty terms to be confirmed in quotation
How FourTeck can assist
FourTeck can help translate a cable request into a defined connectivity requirement. Share the device models, interface types, target speed, cable route, quantity and deployment location. The team can coordinate product identification, review the stated compatibility requirements, prepare a quotation and include installation or configuration scope when requested. Where the XS+DA0003 is not physically or technically suitable, the discussion can cover a one-metre DAC, active optical cable, optical transceivers and fibre patching, or another appropriate link approach.
Procurement teams can also request a bill-of-material review for larger rack deployments. This helps align cable quantity with switch ports, server adapters, redundancy design and spare strategy. Compatibility remains dependent on the connected equipment and vendor support, so providing accurate endpoint information is essential.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for the MikroTik XS+DA0003. Availability may depend on quantity, vendor lead time and the timing of the requirement. Delivery and project coordination can be discussed after the exact model, number of cables and destination are confirmed. Where installation is part of a broader network project, include rack location, endpoint details, planned speed and testing expectations in the request.
FourTeck can coordinate requirements for businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman through one combined procurement and project discussion. This is useful when a standard rack design is being deployed across several offices or facilities. Product availability, delivery timing and onsite scope should be confirmed for each project rather than assumed from a previous order.
GCC availability
Organisations planning rack connectivity across the GCC can contact FourTeck for requirement review, product selection and quotation coordination. For the MikroTik XS+DA0003, the most useful information is the destination country, exact endpoint equipment, intended interface speed, required quantity, cable route and expected deployment schedule. Projects in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Oman may have different fulfilment, documentation and service considerations. Product availability, vendor lead time, delivery scheduling, onsite support and warranty handling can vary by country and requirement. FourTeck can help assess whether the three-metre passive cable is suitable or whether a different length, optical transceiver pair or active optical assembly should be considered. Buyers should not assume that a cable validated in one device pair will behave identically in another platform. Share the full link design so the quotation and project scope can be prepared around the intended environment.
Africa availability
FourTeck can support organisations evaluating MikroTik connectivity components for projects in Africa by reviewing the requested model, quantity, endpoint compatibility, deployment location and support expectations. In East African markets such as Kenya and Uganda, as well as projects in other regions, fulfilment can depend on destination, vendor lead time, shipping arrangements, power and regulatory considerations for the wider equipment, and the availability of local installation resources. The XS+DA0003 itself is a passive cable, but the complete network design may include switches, routers, adapters, optics and configuration services that require coordinated planning. Buyers should provide the destination country, exact device models, required link speed, quantity, preferred schedule and any testing or documentation needs. FourTeck can then advise on an appropriate bill of materials and quotation path without assuming local inventory, immediate shipment or country-wide onsite coverage.
Review FourTeck Africa project assistance | FourTeck Kenya | FourTeck Uganda
Related products and services to consider
XS+DA0001 one-metre DAC
A shorter model for devices positioned close together in the same rack. Confirm that one metre provides enough routed length.
SFP+ optical alternatives
Transceivers and fibre patching may be more suitable for longer runs, electrical isolation or uncertain passive-cable compatibility.
SFP28 switching and routing
Twenty-five-gigabit use requires compatible SFP28 ports on both connected platforms and a suitable network design.
Rack installation support
Include cable routing, labelling, interface setup and link validation in the project scope where internal resources are limited.
Network configuration assistance
Speed settings, VLANs, bonding or routing may need separate configuration beyond the physical cable installation.
Broader product sourcing
Browse FourTeck technology products or discuss a complete bill of materials.
Why businesses contact FourTeck
A direct attach cable appears straightforward, yet incorrect assumptions about port generation, speed, coding or route length can delay a deployment. Businesses contact FourTeck for requirement clarification, model confirmation, bill-of-material guidance, compatibility review, quotation coordination and installation planning. The process is particularly useful when multiple device types are involved or when a project is being repeated across several racks or locations.
FourTeck can also help separate the physical-link requirement from the network-configuration requirement. Purchasing the cable does not configure VLANs, routing, bonding, high availability or server interfaces. These tasks can be included as a defined service scope where needed. Learn more about network and security services, read about FourTeck, or submit your requirement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MikroTik XS+DA0003?
It is a three-metre passive direct attach cable with integrated SFP-family ends, designed for compatible 1G, 10G and 25G short-reach connections.
Does it support 25 Gigabit Ethernet?
Yes, the manufacturer specifies 25G support. Both connected endpoints must provide compatible SFP28 interfaces and support passive DAC operation at 25G.
Can it be used in a 10G SFP+ port?
It supports 10G, but the exact device and port must accept passive SFP+ direct attach cables. Confirm compatibility for both endpoints.
Will it work between MikroTik and another brand?
It may, but cross-vendor interoperability should not be assumed. Check both vendors’ compatibility information and test the planned device pair where necessary.
Does the cable require a license?
No software license is normally required for the cable itself. The connected devices may have their own feature, software or support requirements.
Is three metres the usable route length?
The cable is three metres long, but the rack route must account for cable managers, bends, vertical travel and connector clearance. Measure the actual pathway.
Is it better than fibre?
It can be simpler for short compatible links. Fibre may be preferable for longer distance, electrical isolation, structured cabling or devices that do not accept passive DACs.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Provide the exact model, quantity, both endpoint models, intended speed, delivery destination, required timeline and any installation or testing scope.
Is the XS+DA0003 currently available in Dubai?
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability. Stock and lead time can vary by quantity and vendor supply conditions.
Can FourTeck assist with installation and testing?
Installation, cable routing, interface configuration and validation can be discussed as a separate project scope and included in the quotation where required.
Confirm the cable, endpoints and required speed
Send FourTeck the MikroTik XS+DA0003 quantity, connected device models, planned link speed and delivery location for compatibility-focused quotation assistance.
