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Conference 7.286::fddi

Title:	FDDI - The Next Generation

Moderator:	NETCAD::STEFANI

Created:	Thu Apr 27 1989
Last Modified:	Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2259
Total number of notes:	8590

158.0. "FDDI connectors - help!" by VAXRIO::ROLF () Mon Oct 22 1990 15:36

    I have been asked to help configuring our first FDDI network. It
    is a small network, consisting of two Concentrators in a ring and
    some 9 bridges hanging off of them.
    
    Having never seen the equipment before and only only having access
    to the books, I got confused as to what fibers/connectors to use
    and I would like to kindly ask someone to confirm (or correct) my
    suspicions:
    
    1. To interconnect the two concentrators (they sit right next to
       eachother) I can use BN24B-03. That is port A to port B and vice-
       versa.
    
    2. To connect a concentrator to a DECbridge500 which sits right
       next to the concentrator I can use a BN24B-XX cable.
    
    3. If the bridge is more distant from the concentrator I will
       have to use a BN24D-XX cable at both boxes, connext those BN24D's
       to patch-panels and interconnect those patch-panels with some
       more fiber which has ST-connectors at both ends.
    
    4. There is no way I can connect a bridge to a concentrator by using
       a single, "self-made" cable, having ST connectors at both ends. In other
       words, the bridge and the concentrator ONLY accept those MIC
       connectors.
    
    Any help is very much appreciated.
    
    Thanks
    
    Rolf,
    NWSS Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
158.1	Sounds good	AKO569::JOY	Get a life!	`Tue Oct 23 1990 11:00`	9
	Rolf, I don't have the part numbers in front of me but the plan that you stated sounds right. The main thing to remember is to "key" the MIC connectors properly ("A" key goes into "B" key). Your last statement is correct, the bridge and concentrator only accept the MIC connectors so you really couldn't "build your own" cables. Debbie
158.2	more on ST-to-ST	BAGELS::LEVY		`Tue Oct 23 1990 12:44`	7
	re: .0 1,2,3 correct as stated. On 4: Note that the FSD MIC is only planned for ANSI-compliant optics. In particular, low-power optics will use ST-connectors. BN24E-xx is the DECconnect offering for ST-ST patch cables.
158.3	getting closer...	VAXRIO::ROLF		`Tue Oct 23 1990 14:09`	25
	Oh, I see.... BUT: 1. Where does that DEFCN-LA/MPH number come from? The T & N Buyers Guide does not show this "MPH" number. What is the difference between the DEFCN-LA/MPH and a DEFCN-NA? (both ANSI compliant) 2. Am I correct that there is no low-power optic board (or version) for the bridge, so I would still be forced to use a MIC connector at the bridge end, even though at the concentrator I could use ST connectors? 3. One more: That "keying" of the connector is done in the field when installing the cable. Right or wrong? Sorry if I am asking for small details, but not having any hardware in the country, we want to be very sure to be ordering the correct and complete hardware necessary. Thanks for both answers! Rolf
158.4	More answers	AKO569::JOY	Get a life!	`Tue Oct 23 1990 15:07`	23
	Rolf, 1. I think your confusion comes from not having seen the Sales Update article concerning the Low Power Optics card. It appears the part numbering scheme has changed some from when the T&N Buyers Guide came out. The DEFCN-LA/LF is the Low-Power Optics Port card. The DEFCN-LA/MPH is the ANSI Optics Port Card. The DEFCN-LA/LF have optics that have lower optical power budgets than ANSI optics 7 db vs 11 db. Using this loss bodget and the low power optics, the acievable interstation distance is 1 km. The low power optics are fully compatible with ANSI optics and can be mixed and matched with ANSI optics in a concentrator or in the ring. 2. As of now, there is no low power optics board for the DECbridge 500. Most likely there will be one before too long. But you can plug the regular DECbridge into a low power optics board in the concentrator with no problem. 3. Yes, the keying is done in the field. Each MIC connector comes with an attached cap and in the cap are the keys. Debbie
158.5	No low power for DECbridge 500	BAGELS::LEVY		`Fri Oct 26 1990 13:17`	11
	re: <<< Note 158.4 by AKO569::JOY "Get a life!" >>> > 2. As of now, there is no low power optics board for the DECbridge 500. > Most likely there will be one before too long. There are no plans for offering low-power-optics on the DECbridge 500. The difference in optics cost for a single FDDI port does not yield an appreciable price benefit to the customer.