Technical information

4/8 LS PRO OWNER'S HANDBOOK
Networking
Chapter 4
The following table describes the hardware components.
Item Description
AUI (DIX) port The AUI or attachment unit interface port on the
back of the computer connects it to a length of
transceiver cable. The AUI port has a sliding latch
that locks the cable connector onto the port.
The AUI port is sometimes referred to as a DIX
port (after Digital, Intel and Xerox, the original
developers of Ethernet).
Transceiver “drop” cable A transceiver or drop cable connects your
computer to an MAU transceiver on a thick-
Ethernet system. (The thick-Ethernet cable is
too inflexible to be attached directly to the
computer itself.)
A male connector is located at one end of the
transceiver cable; this attaches to the computer.
A female connector (with slide-lock) is located
at the other end; this attaches to the MAU
transceiver (or to a network outlet).
Maximum length for a transceiver cable is 50
metres.
MAU transceiver An MAU (media attachment unit) transceiver
connects the computer to the thick-Ethernet
cable.
MAUs are of two basic types: intrusive or
vampire tap, and non-intrusive or N-series tap.
An intrusive tap attaches by piercing the coaxial
cable; the advantage of this is that the cable can
be tapped at any convenient point. An non-
intrusive tap can normally be installed only
where the cable is interrupted by an N-series
barrel connector.
MAU transceivers are sometimes hidden behind
network outlets. In this case the computer’s
transceiver cable attaches to a nearby network
outlet.
Thick-Ethernet cable Thick coaxial cable with a nominal impedance
of 50 ohm and marks at 2.5 metre intervals
where it can be tapped, for networks that use
the IEEE 802.3 10Base-5 standard (e.g. Belden
9880). Also known as “standard” cable.