5-2
Cisco Network Modules Hardware Installation Guide
OL-2485-20
Chapter 5 Connecting Serial Network Modules
About Serial Connections
Note
Serial ports configured as synchronous DTE require external clocking from a channel service unit/data
service unit (CSU/DSU) WAN interface card or other DCE device.
About Serial Cables Used with Cisco 2600 Series, Cisco 3600 Series, Cisco 3700
Series, and Cisco MWR 1941-DC Routers
Cisco Systems offers 10 types of serial cables (also called
serial adapter cables
or
transition cables
) as
listed in
Table 5-2
.
The documentation for the device you plan to connect to the serial port should indicate which interface
is used. You can then order a serial transition cable of the correct type.
Tip
A cable providing surge protection (CAB-SS-SURGE) is also available from Cisco Systems for use with
the NM-16A/S network module. See the
“12-in-1 Smart Serial Cables” section on page 5-4
for
instructions on connecting the surge protector cable.
A standard serial cable uses a universal 60-pin plug at the network module or WAN interface card end.
The Smart Serial cable uses a 12-in-1 Smart Serial connector designed by Cisco. The network end of
each cable provides the physical connectors most commonly used for the interface. For example, the
network end of the EIA/TIA-232 serial cable is a DB-25 connector, the most widely used EIA/TIA-232
connector.
Table 5-1
Identifying the Device Type
Device Type
Typical Connector
Typical Devices
DTE
Male
1
1.
If pins protrude from the base of the connector, the connector is male.
Terminal
PC
DCE
Female
2
2.
If the connector has holes to accept pins, the connector is female.
Modem
CSU/DSU
Multiplexer
Table 5-2
Serial Cables and Cisco Smart Serial Cables
Standard Serial Cables
Cisco Smart Serial Cables
EIA/TIA-232 serial cable
EIA/TIA-232 Smart Serial cable
EIA/TIA-449 serial cable
EIA/TIA-449 Smart Serial cable
V.35 serial cable
V.35 Smart Serial cable
X.21 serial cable
X.21 Smart Serial cable
EIA/TIA-530 serial cable
EIA/TIA-530 Smart Serial cable
EIA/TIA-530A Smart Serial cable