The RCx Multi Source Agreement (MSA) describes a high density, low cost, passive copper connector and cable system, specifically designed for Intra-Rack connectivity of 25Gb, 50Gb, and 100Gb Ethernet.

RCx was designed from the ground up as a simple, low cost passive electrical connection for intra-rack switch to adapter deployments. The streamlined design eliminates the need to include provision for active electrical components such as EEPROMs, optics, retimers, or management ICs. By designing switches and adapters to RCx, not only is the connector and cable system lower cost, but the electrical design of the switches and adapters themselves can be simplified significantly, thus further reducing overall solution cost.

Cost Optimized

Fully passive cable assembly that eliminates the need for optics or EEPROMs

High Density

1 (25G), 2 (50G), or 4 (100G) lane connector mates into the same socket array

Compatible with existing IEEE 25 Gb/s electrical standards

Can be connected to existing QSFP / SFP infrastructure with appropriate cabling

Bifurcatable lanes

flexible lane usage without requiring break-out cables

Simple and flexible deployment

A set of receptacles that can flexibly accept a set of cables for varying bandwidth needs

High-performance intra-rack cables

25G (per lane), up to 3m passive copper cables without requiring forward error correction (FEC)