These cable types (AOC – Active Optical Cable, DAC – Direct Attach Copper, Fibre Patch Cables) offer high bandwidth but differ significantly in cost, distance capability, power consumption, EMI performance, and flexibility. We hope that by the end of this article, you'll understand each cable type. There are various connection solutions available for switching networks, such as optical modules + optical fibers, Active Optical Cables (AOC), and Direct Attach Cables (DAC). DAC can be further categorized into active ACC, AEC, and passive DAC. Its primary function is to establish a connection and facilitate the transmission of signals, enabling smooth data transfer between devices. It. This guide walks you through every key difference between DAC, AEC, and AOC cables: what they are, how they work, when to use them, and how to make the best choice for 100G, 400G, and even 800G networks. This guide provides a comparison of AOC vs. Both offer advantages depending on the use case, but how do they differ, and which one should you choose? DACs are copper-based cables with fixed connectors on both ends, typically.