short, thin AUI cables

[CAMPBELL%UTOROCI.BITNET at cornellc.cit.cornell.edu]

>BTWbis, does anyone know of a source of short AUI cables, say about 1m?
>All I have found are multiples of 5m.  Is there some technical reason for
>that?
>
>  Charles Seeger            216 Larsen Hall             +1 904 392 8935
>  Electrical Engineering    University of Florida       Just say NO to
>  seeger at iec.ufl.edu        Gainesville, FL 32611       EtherTalk

There are indeed short, supple transceiver cables on the market. You can
find them, um, in the, uh, (mumble mumble) DECdirect catalogue. DEC calls
'em the "Office tranceiver cable", and the part number is BNE4C-02/FN for
a 2-metre cable with straight (cf right-angle) connectors.  We use them,
and appreciate their flexibility - a bit stiffer than thinwire coax, and
very light. Ideal for movable machines like workstations. A number of
ethernet-specialist suppliers also stock lightweight AUI cable and will
cut custom lengths; shop around, but be careful: we've had suppliers say
"Sure, we've got short supple cables" and then ship the standard
fat-as-your-thumb stuff.

(When DEC brought out the MicroVAX/VAXstation 2000 with only a *thin*wire
port, people flamed about that; DEC was accused of trying to sell
repeaters...)

Chip Campbell
Physics Division, Ontario Cancer Institute, Toronto
Bitnet: campbell at utoroci, @ociphy.oci.utoronto.ca