3Com 32x, 52x manual 2Serial Connector Cabling Information

Cabling the Connectors 1-7

Cabling the Serial Connectors

The serial connectors provide the following options:

■The UNIVERSAL connector can be converted to a V.35, V.36, X.21, RS-449, or RS-232 connector.

■All serial connectors can function in either DTE or DCE-like mode, which allows you to connect a serial connector to either a CSU/DSU device or modem (DTE mode), or to an IBM cluster controller (DCE-like mode). A connection to an IBM cluster controller must be made using a permanent leased line only. You can operate the serial connectors in any combination of DTE and DCE-like modes.

The cables you use determine the serial connector function. Table 1-2 lists the types of devices available for serial connections, cable options for connection to each device, and if the cable is sold by 3Com. Cables used for IBM cluster controller connectivity (DCE-like mode) are referred to as direct connect cables.

Table 1-2Serial Connector Cabling Information

			Connector
Connection to		Connector*	Mode	Cable Name	Sold by 3Com?
V.35	CSU/DSU device or	V.35	DTE	V.35 to V.35 DCE cable	No. Easily obtained from
modem					cable manufacturer.
V.35	CSU/DSU device or	UNIVERSAL	DTE	V.35 adapter cable	Yes (3C8035).
modem
V.35	IBM cluster controller	V.35	DCE-like	V.35 to V.35 direct connect	No. See Chapter 2 for
				cable	pin assignments.
V.35	IBM cluster controller	UNIVERSAL	DCE-like	UNIVERSAL to V.35 direct	Yes (3C8135).
				connect cable
X.21	CSU/DSU device or	UNIVERSAL	DTE	X.21 adapter cable	Yes (3C8021).
modem
RS-449 or V.36 CSU/DSU		UNIVERSAL	DTE	UNIVERSAL to RS-449/V.36	No. See Chapter 2 for
device or modem				DCE cable	pin assignments.
RS-449 or V.36 IBM cluster		UNIVERSAL	DCE-like	UNIVERSAL to RS-449/V.36	No. See Chapter 2 for
controller				direct connect cable	pin assignments.
RS-232 CSU/DSU device or		UNIVERSAL	DTE	UNIVERSAL to RS-232 DCE	Yes (3C8023).
modem				cable
RS-232 CSU/DSU device or		RS-232	DTE	RS-232 to RS-232 DCE cable	No. Easily obtained from
modem					cable manufacturer.
RS-232 IBM cluster controller		UNIVERSAL	DCE-like	UNIVERSAL to RS-232 direct	Yes (3C8123).
				connect cable
RS-232 IBM cluster controller		RS-232	DCE-like	RS-232 to RS-232 direct	Yes (3C8132).
				connect cable

*If you cable the UNIVERSAL connector, you need to perform some software configuration. For more information, refer to the software guide.