Cabletron Systems 100BASE-FX, Cabling Manual

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Token Ring Media
9-10 Connector Types
Connector Types
STP
Medium Interface Connector (MIC)
The Medium Interface Connector is a genderless connector that is designed to be
used with IBM Type 6 and Type 9 STP cabling. The MIC connector may also be
used on Type 1 or Type 3 STP cabling.
The design of the MIC connector allows it to be properly and securely connected
to any other Token Ring MIC connector. It is made up of a plastic outer shell and
four gold-plated contacts arranged in two rows of two each, as shown in
Figure 9-4.
Figure 9-4. The Medium Interface Connector
The design of the MIC connector allows it to internally self-short. Spring-release
mechanisms within the connector open the transmit and receive paths in the MIC
connector when it is properly attached to another MIC connector. Once
unplugged, the paths are looped back onto one another, allowing Token Ring
signals to travel back through the cable and remain in the Token Ring network,
keeping the ring whole. This helps prevent error conditions from occurring every
time a station or cable is unplugged.
Attaching a MIC connector to the end of an STP cable run is relatively simple to
understand, as the pins of the MIC connector are color coded in the same manner
as the wires of the STP cable. To attach the connector, the individual wires of the
STP cable are attached to the four pins in the arrangement shown by the color
coded posts that hold the wires once the connector is assembled.
Locking Arm
Contact Plates
1845n23