Cisco 2500 Series Operator's manual

Cisco 2500 Multiport Installation and
Configuration Guide
About this Guide●
Overview of the Router●
Preparing to Install the Router●
Installing the Router●
Configuring the Router●
Troubleshooting●
Maintaining the Router●
Cabling●
Copyright 1989-1998 © Cisco Systems Inc.
Cisco 2500 Multiport Installation and Configuration Guide
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/access/acs_fix/cis2500/2520/2520_23/index.htm [10/27/2000 3:07:27 PM]

Table of Contents
About This Guide
Objectives
Audience
Organization
Conventions
About This Guide
This section discusses the objectives, audience, organization, and conventions of this hardware
installation and configuration guide.
Objectives
This publication will step you through the initial site preparation, installation, and configuration of the
router. Troubleshooting and maintenance procedures, and cable specifications are also provided.
Time Saver Use the quick reference card that came with your router for quick cabling
instructions.
Audience
This publication is designed for the person installing the router, who should be familiar with electronic
circuitry and wiring practices and have experience as an electronic or electromechanical technician.
Organization
The major sections of this hardware installation and configuration guide are as follows:
Chapter 1, "Overview," discusses the features and specifications of the router, and describes how
to obtain technical support and order documentation.
●
Chapter 2, "Preparing to Install the Router," discusses environmental requirements, safety
recommendations, and describes the various ports and how to prepare for connections between
networks and ports.
●
Chapter 3, "Installing the Router," includes basic installation information and discusses making●
About this Guide
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connections to your LAN, WAN, and console terminal.
Chapter 4, "Configuring the Cisco Multiport Serial Routers," discusses configuring the terminal
and modems and other asynchronous devices attached to the multiport routers manually using
configuration mode, using AutoInstall, or manually using the setup facility.
●
Appendix A, "Troubleshooting the Router," discusses how to isolate problems and read the LEDs.●
Appendix B, "Maintaining the Router," discusses selected maintenance procedures.●
Appendix C, "Cable Specifications," provides pinouts for the router ports and cables.●
Conventions
This publication uses the following conventions to convey instructions and information.
Command descriptions use these conventions:
Commands and keywords are in boldface font.
●
Variables for which you supply values are in italic font.●
Elements in square brackets ([ ]) are optional.●
Alternative but required keywords are grouped in braces ({ }) and are separated by vertical bars ( |
).
●
Examples use these conventions:
Terminal sessions and information the system displays are in screen font.
●
Information you enter is in boldface screen font.●
Nonprinting characters are in angle brackets (< >).●
Default responses to system prompts are in square brackets ([ ]).●
Note Means reader take note. Notes contain helpful suggestions or references to materials not contained
in this manual.
Time Saver Means the described action saves time. You can save time by performing the action
described in the paragraph.
Caution Means reader be careful. In this situation, you might do something that could result in
equipment damage or loss of data.
Warning This warning symbol means danger. You are in a situation that could cause bodily
injury. Before you work on any equipment, you must be aware of the hazards involved with
electrical circuitry and familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents. (To see translated
versions of this warning, refer to the "Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information" document
that accompanied the router.)
Copyright 1989-1997 © Cisco Systems Inc.
About this Guide
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Table of Contents
Overview of the Router
Router Hardware Features
Port Configuration
Asynchronous/Synchronous Port Features
Communications Server Services
Remote Node Services
Terminal Services
Asynchronous Routing Services
Protocol Translation Services
System Specifications
Obtaining Service and Support
Cisco Connection Online
Ordering Documentation
Overview of the Router
The Cisco 2520/CPA2520, Cisco 2521/CPA2521, Cisco 2522/CPA2522, and Cisco 2523/CPA2523
routers are full-featured multiport serial routers with synchronous serial, LAN, and
asynchronous/synchronous serial ports permitting use as a router or communications server.
Note Throughout this publication, "the router" refers to the Cisco 2520/CPA2520, Cisco 2521/CPA2521,
Cisco 2522/CPA2522, and Cisco 2523/CPA2523 routers except when specified otherwise.
Router Hardware Features
The multiport serial routers are available in the following configurations:
Cisco 2520/CPA2520 1 Ethernet port with a selectable attachment unit interface (AUI) connection or 1
Ethernet 10BaseT connection
1 Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
port (RJ-45)
2 high-speed synchronous serial ports
2 low-speed asynchronous/synchronous serial ports
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Cisco 2521/CPA2521 1 Token Ring shielded twisted pair (STP) port or 1 Token Ring unshielded
twisted-pair (UTP) port
1 ISDN BRI port (RJ-45)
2 high-speed synchronous serial ports
2 low-speed asynchronous/synchronous serial ports
Cisco 2522/CPA2522 1 Ethernet port with a selectable AUI connection or 1 Ethernet 10BaseT
connection
1 ISDN BRI port (RJ-45)
2 high-speed synchronous serial ports
8 low-speed asynchronous/synchronous serial ports
Cisco 2523/CPA2523 1 Token Ring STP port or 1 Token Ring UTP port
1 ISDN BRI port (RJ-45)
2 high-speed synchronous serial ports
8 low-speed asynchronous/synchronous serial ports
Figure 1-1, Figure 1-2, Figure 1-3, and Figure 1-4 shows the rear panels of the Cisco 2520/CPA2520,
Cisco 2521/CPA2521, Cisco 2522/CPA2522, and Cisco 2523/CPA2523 routers, respectively.
The multiport serial routers function not only as multiprotocol routers but also as communication servers
(see Figure 1-1) for telecommuting services. The multiport serial routers offer high-speed synchronous
serial lines for T1 connections, and low-speed asynchronous/synchronous serial lines to attach terminal
equipment such as a channel service unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU).
Figure 1-1 through Figure 1-4 show the rear panels of the multiport serial routers.
Figure 1-1: Cisco 2520/CPA2520 Multiport Serial Router--Rear Panel
Figure 1-2: Cisco 2521/CPA2521 Multiport Serial Router--Rear Panel
Figure 1-3: Cisco 2522/CPA2522 Multiport Serial Router--Rear Panel
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Figure 1-4: Cisco 2523/CPA2523 Multiport Serial Router--Rear Panel
Port Configuration
The asynchronous/synchronous ports are configured as either asynchronous or synchronous. The default
is a synchronous port configuration.
Asynchronous/Synchronous Port Features
The low-speed asynchronous/synchronous ports connect terminals, printers, modems, microcomputers,
and remote LANs over asynchronous serial lines to an internetwork, or to synchronous devices such as
DSU/CSUs on the same ports. The asynchronous/ synchronous ports support data transmission rates of
up to 115.2 kbps on the following serial interfaces:
EIA/TIA-232
●
EIA/TIA-449●
EIA-530●
V.35●
X.21●
Note EIA/TIA-232 and EIA/TIA-449 were known as recommended standards RS-232 and RS-449
before their acceptance as standards by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
The multiport serial routers support numerous protocols. The following are examples of some of the
low-speed synchronous and asynchronous protocols:
Autobaud
●
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Bisync●
Frame Relay●
Half-duplex operation●
HDLC●
PPP●
SDLC●
X.25●
Communications Server Services
The multiport router acts as a communications server to connect terminals, printers, modems,
microcomputers, and remote LANs over asynchronous serial lines to an internetwork. The
communications server uses a set of connection services to allow remote networks access to an
internetwork of LANs and WANs.
The router supports four types of server operation:
Remote node services
●
Terminal services●
Asynchronous routing services●
Protocol translation services●
Remote Node Services
Remote node services support remote network connectivity with Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP),
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), or AppleTalk Remote Access Protocol (ARA protocol).
Single users with laptop or desktop computing devices can access corporate data and many other
resources on the Internet using dialup lines. Figure 1-5 shows an example network.
Figure 1-5: Remote Node Services--Example Network
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Terminal Services
Terminal services provide terminal-to-host connectivity with virtual terminal protocols including Telnet,
rlogin, local-area transport (LAT), TN3270, and X.25 packet assembler/disassembler (PAD). Terminal
services can be used to connect to a modem in a modem pool for outbound connectivity. Figure 1-6
shows an example network.
Figure 1-6: Terminal Services--Example Network
Asynchronous Routing Services
Routing services enable the multiport router to route packets over LANs and WANs using the
asynchronous interfaces. A key benefit of asynchronous routing is that it provides low-cost operation by
using dialup telephone networks only when needed. Figure 1-7 shows an example network.
Figure 1-7: Asynchronous Routing--Example Network
Protocol Translation Services
Protocol translation allows terminal services running over one protocol to be translated to terminal
services running over another protocol such as an X.25 packet PAD to Telnet (using Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol [TCP/IP]). Protocol translation on the multiport router supports
Telnet, TN3270, LAT, and X.25 PAD. Figure 1-8 shows an example network.
Figure 1-8: Protocol Translation Services--Example Network
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System Specifications
The system specifications of the Cisco 2500 series multiport routers are listed in Table 1-1.
Table 1-1: System Specifications
Description Specification
Dimensions (H x W x D) 1.75 x 17.5 x 10.56 inches (one rack unit) (4.44 x 44.45 x 26.82 cm)
Weight 10 lb (4.5 kg)
Input voltage, AC power supply
Current
Frequency
Power dissipation
100 to 240 VAC
0.6 to 1.2A
50 to 60 Hz
40W (maximum), 135.5 Btus1/hr
Input voltage, DC power supply
Current
Power dissipation
- 40 to -72 VDC
1.5 to 1.0A
40W (maximum), 135.5 Btus/hr
Processor 20-MHz Motorola 68EC030
Network interface options model 2520:
1 Ethernet (AUI or 10BaseT), 1 ISDN BRI port, 2 synchronous
serial, 2 asynchronous/ synchronous serial
●
model 2521:
1 Token Ring (DB-9 or UTP), 1 ISDN BRI port, 2 synchronous
serial, 2 asynchronous/ synchronous serial
●
model 2522:
1 Ethernet (AUI or 10BaseT), 1 ISDN BRI port, 2 synchronous
serial, 8 asynchronous/ synchronous serial
●
model 2523:
1 Token Ring (DB-9 or UTP), 1 ISDN BRI port, 2 synchronous
serial, 8 asynchronous/ synchronous serial
●
Operating environment 32 to 104×F (0 to 40×C)
Nonoperating temperature -40 to 185×F (-40 to 85×C)
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Operating humidity 5 to 95%, noncondensing
Noise level 34 dBa @ 3' (0.914 m)
Regulatory Compliance FCC Class A. For more regulatory information, refer to the Regulatory
Compliance and Safety Information document that accompanied you
router.
1BTU = British thermal unit.
Obtaining Service and Support
For service and support for a product purchased from a reseller, contact the reseller. Resellers offer a
wide variety of Cisco service and support programs, which are described in the information packet that
shipped with your chassis.
If you purchased your product from a reseller, you can access Cisco Connection Online (CCO) as a
guest. CCO is Cisco Systems' primary, real-time support channel.Your reseller offers programs that
include direct access to CCO's services.
For service and support for a product purchased directly from Cisco, use CCO.
Cisco Connection Online
CCO is Cisco Systems' primary, real-time support channel. SMARTnet customers and partners can
self-register on CCO to obtain additional content and services.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, CCO provides a wealth of standard and value-added services to
Cisco's customers and business partners. CCO services include product information, software updates,
release notes, technical tips, the Bug Navigator, configuration notes, brochures, descriptions of service
offerings, and download access to public and authorized files.
CCO serves a wide variety of users through two interfaces that are updated and enhanced
simultaneously-a character-based version and a multimedia version that resides on the World Wide Web
(WWW). The character-based CCO supports Zmodem, Kermit, Xmodem, FTP, and Internet e-mail, and
is excellent for quick access to information over lower bandwidths. The WWW version of CCO provides
richly formatted documents with photographs, figures, graphics, and video, as well as hyperlinks to
related information.
You can access CCO in the following ways:
WWW: http://www.cisco.com.
●
WWW: http://www-europe.cisco.com.●
WWW: http://www-china.cisco.com.●
Telnet: cco.cisco.com.●
Modem: From North America, 408 526-8070; from Europe, 33 1 64 46 40 82.●
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Use the following terminal settings: VT100 emulation; databits: 8; parity: none; stop bits: 1; and
baud rates up to 14.4 kbps.
For a copy of CCO's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), contact [email protected]. For additional
information, contact [email protected].
If you need technical assistance with a Cisco product that is under warranty or covered by a Cisco
maintenance contract, contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center (TAC) at 800 553-2447, 408
526-7209, or [email protected].
Please use CCO to obtain general information about Cisco Systems, Cisco products, or upgrades. If CCO
is not accessible, contact 800 553-6387, 408 526-7208, or [email protected].
Ordering Documentation
Documentation for Cisco products is available in three forms: on a CD-ROM, printed books, and on the
World Wide Web. You have the option of subscribing to the documentation CD through an update
service. Or you can order printed documentation at an additional cost. Refer to the information packet
included with the router for detailed ordering information. You can also access Cisco documentation on
the World Wide Web URL http://www.cisco.com.
Copyright 1989-1997 © Cisco Systems Inc.
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Table of Contents
Preparing to Install the Router
Safety Recommendations
Maintaining Safety with Electricity
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
General Site Requirements
Site Environment
Preventive Site Configuration
Configuring Equipment Racks
Power Supply Considerations
Preparing to Connect to a Network
Synchronous Serial Connections
DTE or DCE
Speed and Distance Limitations
Signaling Standards
EIA/TIA-232 Connections
EIA/TIA-449 Connections
V.35 Connections
X.21 Connections
EIA-530 Connections
Asynchronous/Synchronous Serial Connections
Ethernet Connections
Token Ring Connections
BRI Connections
Console and Auxiliary Port Connections
Console Port Connections
Auxiliary Port Connections
Inspecting the System
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Preparing to Install the Router
This chapter describes important information to consider before you begin to install the router, and
includes the following sections:
Safety Recommendations●
General Site Requirements●
Preparing to Connect to a Network●
Preparing to Connect to a Network●
Inspecting the System●
Safety Recommendations
Follow these guidelines to ensure general safety:
Keep the chassis area clear and dust-free during and after installation.
●
Put the removed chassis cover in a safe place.●
Keep tools away from walk areas where you and others could fall over them.●
Do not wear loose clothing that could get caught in the chassis. Fasten your tie or scarf and roll up
your sleeves.
●
Wear safety glasses if you are working under any conditions that might be hazardous to your eyes.●
Do not perform any action that creates a potential hazard to people or makes the equipment unsafe.●
Warning Ultimate disposal of this product should be handled according to all national laws and
regulations. (To see translated versions of this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and
Safety Information document that accompanied the router.)
Maintaining Safety with Electricity
Follow these guidelines when working on equipment powered by electricity.
Warning Before working on equipment that is connected to power lines, remove jewelry
(including rings, necklaces, and watches). Metal objects will heat up when connected to power
and ground and can cause serious burns or can weld the metal object to the terminals. (To see
translated versions of this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information
document that accompanied the router.)
Locate the emergency power OFF switch for the room in which you are working. Then, if an
electrical accident occurs, you can act quickly to turn OFF the power.
●
Power OFF the router and unplug the power cord before doing the following:
Installing or removing a chassis
❍
Working near power supplies❍
●
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Warning Before working on a chassis or working near power supplies, unplug the power cord on
AC units; disconnect the power at the circuit breaker on DC units. (To see translated versions of
this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information document that
accompanied the router.)
Warning Do not touch the power supply when the power cord is connected. For systems with a
power switch, line voltages are present within the power supply even when the power switch is
OFF and the power cord is connected. For systems without a power switch, line voltages are
present within the power supply when the power cord is connected. (To see translated versions of
this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information document that
accompanied the router.)
Do not work alone if potentially hazardous conditions exist.●
Never assume that power is disconnected from a circuit. Always check.●
Warning Read the installation instructions before you connect the system to its power source. (To
see translated versions of this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety
Information document that accompanied the router.)
Look carefully for possible hazards in your work area, such as moist floors, ungrounded power
extension cables, frayed power cords, and missing safety grounds.
●
If an electrical accident occurs, proceed as follows:
Use caution; do not become a victim yourself.
❍
Turn OFF power to the system.❍
If possible, send another person to get medical aid. Otherwise, assess the condition of the
victim and then call for help.
❍
Determine if the person needs rescue breathing or external cardiac compressions; then take
appropriate action.
❍
●
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage equipment and impair electrical circuitry. It occurs when
electronic components are improperly handled and can result in complete or intermittent failures.
Always follow ESD-prevention procedures when removing and replacing components. Ensure that the
chassis is electrically connected to earth ground. Wear an ESD-preventive wrist strap, ensuring that it
makes good skin contact. Connect the clip to an unpainted surface of the chassis frame to safely channel
unwanted ESD voltages to ground. To properly guard against ESD damage and shocks, the wrist strap
and cord must operate effectively. If no wrist strap is available, ground yourself by touching the metal
part of the chassis.
Caution For safety, periodically check the resistance value of the antistatic strap, which should
be between 1 to 10 megohms (Mohms).
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General Site Requirements
This section describes the requirements your site must meet for safe installation and operation of your
system. Ensure that your site is properly prepared before beginning installation.
Site Environment
The router can be placed on a desktop or mounted in a rack or on a wall. The location of the chassis and
the layout of your equipment rack or wiring room are extremely important for proper system operation.
Equipment placed too close together, inadequate ventilation, and inaccessible panels can cause system
malfunctions and shutdowns, and can make system maintenance difficult.
When planning your site layout and equipment locations, remember the precautions described in the next
section, "Preventive Site Configuration" to help avoid equipment failures and reduce the possibility of
environmentally caused shutdowns. If you are experiencing shutdowns or unusually high errors with
your existing equipment, these precautions may help you isolate the cause of failures and prevent future
problems.
Preventive Site Configuration
The following precautions will help you plan an acceptable operating environment for your router and
will help you avoid environmentally caused equipment failures.
Electrical equipment generates heat. Ambient air temperature might not be adequate to cool
equipment to acceptable operating temperatures without adequate circulation. Ensure that the room
in which you operate your system has adequate air circulation.
●
Always follow the ESD-prevention procedures described in the section "Preventing Electrostatic
Discharge Damage" earlier in this chapter to avoid damage to equipment. Damage from static
discharge can cause immediate or intermittent equipment failure.
●
Ensure that the chassis cover is secure. The chassis is designed to allow cooling air to flow
effectively within it. An open chassis allows air leaks, which may interrupt and redirect the flow of
cooling air from internal components.
●
Configuring Equipment Racks
The following information will help you plan an acceptable equipment rack configuration.
Enclosed racks must have adequate ventilation. Ensure that the rack is not overly congested
because each unit generates heat. An enclosed rack should have louvered sides and a fan to
provide cooling air.
●
When mounting a chassis in an open rack, ensure that the rack frame does not block the intake or
the exhaust ports. If the chassis is installed on slides, check the position of the chassis when it is
seated all the way into the rack.
●
In an enclosed rack with a ventilation fan in the top, excessive heat generated by equipment near
the bottom of the rack can be drawn upward and into the intake ports of the equipment above it in
the rack. Ensure that you provide adequate ventilation for equipment at the bottom of the rack.
●
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Baffles can help to isolate exhaust air from intake air, which also helps to draw cooling air through
the chassis. The best placement of the baffles depends on the airflow patterns in the rack, which
are found by experimenting with different arrangements.
●
Power Supply Considerations
Check the power at your site to ensure that you are receiving "clean" power (free of spikes and noise).
Install a power conditioner if necessary.
Warning The device is designed to work with TN power systems. (To see translated versions of
this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information document that
accompanied the router.)
The router power supply includes the following features:
Autoselects either 110V or 220V operation.
●
All units include a 6-foot (1.8-meter) electrical power cord. (A label near the power cord indicates
the correct voltage, frequency, current draw, and power dissipation for the unit.)
●
Warning This product relies on the building's installation for short-circuit (overcurrent)
protection. Ensure that a fuse or circuit breaker no larger than 120 VAC, 15A U.S. (240 VAC,
10A international) is used on the phase conductors (all current-carrying conductors). (To see
translated versions of this warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information
document that accompanied the router.)
If you encounter trouble with your power supply, refer to the section "Troubleshooting the Power and
Cooling Systems" in the appendix "Troubleshooting the Router."
Preparing to Connect to a Network
When setting up your router, consider distance limitations and potential electromagnetic interference
(EMI) as defined by the EIA.
Warning The ports labeled "Ethernet," "10BaseT," "Token Ring," "Console," and "AUX" are
safety extra-low voltage (SELV) circuits. SELV circuits should only be connected to other SELV
circuits. Because the BRI circuits are treated like telephone-network voltage, avoid connecting the
SELV circuit to the telephone network voltage (TNV) circuits. (To see translated versions of this
warning, refer to the Regulatory Compliance and Safety Information document that accompanied
the router.)
For additional information on connecting your ports, cables and network connections, refer to the section
"Troubleshooting the Ports, Cables, and Connections" in the appendix "Troubleshooting the Router."
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Synchronous Serial Connections
Before you connect a device to the synchronous serial port (labeled "SERIAL"), you will need to know
the following:
The type of device, DTE or DCE, you are connecting to the synchronous serial interface.
●
The type of connector, male or female, required to connect to the device.●
The signaling standard required by the device.●
DTE or DCE
A device that communicates over a synchronous serial interface is either a DTE or DCE device. A DCE
device provides a clock signal that paces the communications between the device and the router. A DTE
device does not provide a clock signal. DTE devices usually connect to DCE devices. The documentation
that came with the communications device should indicate whether it is a DTE or DCE device. (Some
devices have a jumper to select either mode.) If you cannot find the information in the documentation,
refer to to help you select the proper device type.
Table 2-1 Typical DTE and DCE
Devices (Continued)
Device Type Gender Typical Devices
DTE Male1Terminal
PC
Router
DCE Female2Modem
CSU/DSU3
Multiplexer
1If pins protrude from the base of the connector, the connector is male.
2If the connector has holes to accept pins, the connector is female.
3CSU/DSU = Channel service unit/data service unit.
Speed and Distance Limitations
Serial signals can travel a limited distance at any given bit rate; generally, the slower the data rate, the
greater the distance. All serial signals are subject to distance limits, beyond which a signal degrades
significantly or is completely lost.
Table 2-2 lists the maximum speeds and distances for EIA/TIA-232 signals. This signaling standard
supports unbalanced circuits at signal speeds up to 64 kbps.
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Table 2-2: EIA/TIA-232 Speed and Distance
Limitations (Continued)
Data Rate (Baud) Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)
2400 200 60
4800 100 30
9600 50 15
19200 50 15
38400 50 15
64000 25 7.6
Balanced drivers allow EIA/TIA-449 signals to travel greater distances than the EIA/TIA-232 signals.
Table 2-3 lists the maximum speeds and distances for EIA/TIA-449, which are also valid for V.35, X.21,
and EIA-530 signals.
Table 2-3: EIA/TIA-449, V.35, X.21, and EIA-530
Speed and Distance
Limitations (Continued)
Data Rate (Baud) Distance (Feet) Distance (Meters)
2400 4,100 1,250
4800 2,050 625
9600 1,025 312
19200 513 156
38400 256 78
56000 102 31
Caution The EIA/TIA-449 and V.35 interfaces support data rates up to 2.048 Mbps. Exceeding
this maximum could result in loss of data and is not recommended.
Signaling Standards
The synchronous serial port supports the following signaling standards: EIA/TIA-232, EIA/TIA-449,
V.35, X.21, and EIA-530. You can order a DB-60 shielded serial transition cable that has the appropriate
connector for the standard you specify. The router end of the shielded serial transition cable has a DB-60
connector, which connects to the serial port on the rear panel of the router. The other end of the serial
transition cable is available with the connector appropriate for the standard you specify. The
documentation for the device you want to connect should indicate the standard used for that device. The
synchronous serial port can be configured as DTE or DCE (except EIA-530, which is DTE only),
depending on the attached cable.
Note All serial ports configured as DTE require external clocking from a CSU/DSU or other DCE
device.
Preparing to Install the Router
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Figure 2-1 shows the serial transition cables you can connect to the serial port on the rear panel of the
router.
Figure 2-1: Serial Transition Cables
Although attempting to manufacture your own serial cables is not recommended (because of the small
size of the pins on the DB-60 serial connector), cable pinouts are provided in the appendix "Cable
Specifications." To order a cable, see the section "Obtaining Service and Support" in the "Overview of
the Router" chapter.
EIA/TIA-232 Connections
The EIA/TIA-232 standard supports unbalanced circuits at signal speeds up to 64 kbps. The serial port
(labeled "SERIAL") supports synchronous connections. The console and auxiliary ports also use an
EIA/TIA-232 connection; however, the console and auxiliary ports support asynchronous connections.
The network end of the EIA/TIA-232 serial transition cable (not included) provides a DB-25 connector,
as shown in Figure 2-2. The end that connects to the serial port on the rear panel of the router has a
DB-60 connector.
EIA/TIA-232 serial transition cables are available with a DB-25 connected in either DTE or DCE mode.
To order a cable, see the section "Obtaining Service and Support" in the "Overview of the Router"
Preparing to Install the Router
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chapter.
Figure 2-2: EIA/TIA-232 Serial Transition Cable Connectors, Network End
EIA/TIA-449 Connections
The EIA/TIA-449 standard, which supports balanced and unbalanced transmissions, is a faster (up to
2 Mbps) version of the EIA/TIA-232 standard that provides more functions and supports transmissions
over greater distances.
The EIA/TIA-449 standard was intended to replace the EIA/TIA-232 standard, but it was not widely
adopted primarily because of the large installed base of DB-25 hardware and because of the larger size of
the 37-pin EIA/TIA-449 connectors, which limited the number of connections possible (fewer than
possible with the smaller, 25-pin EIA/TIA-232 connector).
The network end of the EIA/TIA-449 serial transition cable (not included) provides a DB-37 connector,
as shown in Figure 2-3. The end that connects to the serial port on the rear panel of the router has a
DB-60 connector.
EIA/TIA-449 serial transition cables are available with a DB-37 connected in either DTE or DCE mode.
To order a cable, see the section "Obtaining Service and Support" in the "Overview of the Router"
chapter.
Figure 2-3: EIA/TIA-449 Serial Transition Cable Connectors, Network End
V.35 Connections
The V.35 standard is recommended for speeds up to 48 kbps, although in practice it is used successfully
at 4 Mbps.
The network end of the V.35 serial transition cable (not included) provides a standard 34-pin
Winchester-type connector, as shown in Figure 2-4. The end that connects to the serial port on the rear
panel of the router has a DB-60 connector. V.35 cables are available with a standard V.35 plug or
receptacle in either DTE or DCE mode. To order a cable, see the section "Obtaining Service and
Preparing to Install the Router
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