Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!cfa!ward
From: ward@cfa.harvard.EDU (Steve Ward)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: Thinwire ethernet: Question about drop cables
Message-ID: <928@cfa.cfa.harvard.EDU>
Date: 23 Mar 88 17:27:34 GMT
References: <4491@june.cs.washington.edu> <13328@uflorida.cis.ufl.EDU> <575@mtxinu.UUCP>
Organization: Harvard-Smithsonian Ctr. for Astrophysics
Lines: 33
Summary: My docs read <= 27 inches



I have some DEC printed matter which says that it is permissible to use
a thinwire ethernet tee connector stub cable of <== 27 inches.

I am installing some thinwire connections to VS2000's and some PC Clones
to talk to a VAX server.  The statement is made in documents that came
with the DEC hardware/software packages for the PC support, the names
being something like "VMS Services for MSDOS" (server software which
runs on VAX) and "PC Network Integration Package."

I have installed a couple of dozen thinwire connections in an office
environment using approx 12 inch tee connector stub cables, and this
works fine.

The reason I used the stub cables at all was to allow encasing the
coaxial tee connector in a small plexiglass package that prevents
accidental or deliberate disconnection in a casual way.  The present
scheme requires a screwdriver to get at the tee connector and there is
a printed warning label stating it must not be opened, who to call in
case of trouble, etc.  This seems to be sufficient to prevent
tampering or accidents at our site.

The enclosure is simply two rectangular plexiglas plates screwed
together with metal, threaded standoffs.  The standoffs are (3 of 'em)
located so as to secure the tee connector in the middle.  A printed
label is on the plexiglas plates.  This is our simple solution to the
hazards of thinwire and I suspect would be insufficient if
public/student access to the thinwire cable was the case.  Unfortunately
it is easy to open up the thinwire ethernet cable with coaxial tee
connectors at every connection.

s