BlueOptics active optical cable (AOC) for 40G high-speed transmissions over distances of up to 100 meters as a QSFP to QSFP 7-meter fiber optic cable connection for connecting hardware within racks or across adjacent racks. BlueOptics active optical cables are suitable for 40GBASE-SR4 Ethernet applications and feature a flame-retardant LSZH fiber jacket (halogen-free, with low smoke emission in case of fire). Compared to Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cable solutions, the hot-pluggable active optical cables are more flexible and lighter. The QSFP to QSFP 7-meter connectors have a built-in E/O and O/E converter that converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. This signal is converted back into an electrical signal and output at the other end of the active optical cable. The connection can be made to supporting hardware with QSFP to QSFP ports.