Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!ucsd!pacbell.com!ames!dftsrv!mimsy!nrl-cmf!schuette
From: schuette@orion.nrl.navy.mil (Larry Schuette)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi
Subject: Ethernet connections on PI
Keywords: Personal Iris, ethernet connectors
Message-ID: <346@ra.nrl-cmf.UUCP>
Date: 12 Jun 91 15:51:19 GMT
Sender: usenet@nrl-cmf.UUCP
Organization: Naval Research Lab, Physical Acoustics, Washington, DC
Lines: 28


Discussions about PI ethernet cards and cables generated the following:

>I have to disagree here; we have at least 4 PI's in my area with enp
>boards in them, --->>> with standard thick ethernet drop cables in them, and
>no problems closing up the case.  <<<--- 
>
>	Dave Olson

I have to respond to this 'cause, Dave, I strongly disagree.  IMHO the
ethernet connector on the PI is the PI's single biggest flaw.  

Yes, it is possible to connect the cable, and put the case back on the PI.
It's even possible to get the connector to stay connected, until somebody
bumps the machine with his feet (PI's end up under desks and "out of the
way").  Of course, when the machine is bumped, the cable comes undone
and the NFS disk farms begin to complain.  And, my biggest complaint,
I crawl under the desk (to the back of it with all the dust balls) to 
reconnect the cable.

Our solution has been to: a.  leave the plastic case off.  b.  Buy
thickwire to thinwire converters.

A question for SGI,  why doesn't the PI (and the ASD machines) have a
dual sex ethernet connector (thick or thin)?  After all, our PC's, 
Mac's, and Vaxstation 2000's and NeXT's have them...  Then I could
use thinwire and somebody would have to "twist and pull" to disconnect
ethernet, and the plastic case would fit nicely.