Xref: utzoo comp.protocols.tcp-ip:3528 comp.sys.dec:663
Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!mit-eddie!uw-beaver!tikal!nwnexus!edm
From: edm@nwnexus.WA.COM (Ed Morin)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip,comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: Plenum-Rated Ethernet Transceivers
Keywords: plenum transceiver ethernet
Message-ID: <410190444@nwnexus.WA.COM>
Date: 16 May 88 05:03:26 GMT
References: <859@wright.EDU>
Reply-To: edm@nwnexus.WA.COM (Ed Morin)
Organization: Northwest Nexus Inc., Seattle, WA
Lines: 20

I was recently faced with the same problem while installing a network in
a building that uses the air space above the ceiling for the cold air
return of the air-conditioning system.  Since we were ordering Cabletron
transceivers, I knew that everything would be ok.  However, once we re-
ceived the transceivers they had little stickers on them saying (I don't
have one with me at the moment) that they could *not* be used in
"pleums"!  So, I contacted Cabletron.  Normally I get terrific service
and attention from them, but this fiasco went on for *weeks* trying to
reconcile this apparent inconsistency.  Nobody seemed to know anything
about the meaning of their NEC 725 (?) specification vs. this crazy
sticker with an apparent misspelling.

It turns out that the transceivers can be put into "air handling *spaces*"
(like ceilings), but *not* in actual ducting (i.e. main air supplies, etc.).
I guess Cabletron is drawing a distinction between an "air handling" spaces
and "plenums"...

Ed Morin
Northwest Nexus Inc.
edm@wa.com