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From: john@starfish.Convergent.COM.UUCP
Newsgroups: mod.telecom
Subject: Submission for mod-telecom
Message-ID: <8702020437.AA03157@starfish.Convergent.COM>
Date: Sun, 1-Feb-87 23:37:10 EST
Article-I.D.: starfish.8702020437.AA03157
Posted: Sun Feb  1 23:37:10 1987
Date-Received: Wed, 4-Feb-87 04:22:29 EST
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The ARPA Internet
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Path: starfish!john
From: john@starfish.UUCP (John McLean)
Newsgroups: mod.telecom
Subject: Re: (none)
Summary: Using RJ-11 connectors for RS-232 lines.
Message-ID: <248@starfish.UUCP>
Date: 2 Feb 87 04:37:10 GMT
References: <8702010550.AA07252@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
Organization: Convergent Technologies, San Jose, CA
Lines: 38

In article <8702010550.AA07252@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>, rdsnyder@MIT-CCC.UUCP writes:
> 
> I am very disturbed about one message I read.  The person proposed to
> use modular telephone connectors for connecting RS-232 serial lines.
> I think this is a BAD IDEA.  Modular plugs were developed to connect
> telephones and only telephones, and that is how they should be used lest
> some bozo should happen to plug an RS-232 cable into a telephone jack
> and fry the serial card with -48V when it wants +/-12V or, worse yet,
> cause damage to our wonderful Public Switched Telephone Network.
> 
> -Ross (rdsnyder%ccc@eddie.mit.edu)

Our MIS department has several RS-232 patch panels using RJ-11
connectors.  We decided to use RJ-11 connectors since we needed
to patch 50 lines and wanted to keep size/cost down.  So far,
there have been no problems.  We are very satisfied with the
performance.  The panel really *is* easy to use.

The patch "cables" used in this panel consist of RJ-ll connectors
crimped on to standard 4-conductor flat lead telephone cable.
Our entire setup has a very neat and compact appearance.

If we'd decided to use conventional DB-25 (or even DB-15 or DB-9)
connectors and cables in the patch panel, we would have ended up
with a much larger and more cumbersome arrangement.

In our "controlled" environment, we have never had a
problem with anyone mixing the panel and anything related to the
telephone network.  But I wouldn't wager money that we wouldn't
have a problem with the average user getting the two
mixed up!  Joe Average User just isn't allowed near the panel!

John McLean
Convergent Technologies

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