Token Ring Cables And Connectors; Token Ring Physical Connections - Cisco 7000 Series Hardware Installation And Maintenance Manual

Token Ring Cables and Connectors

The Token Ring ports on the TRIP are DB-9 (PC type) receptacles that require Type 1 or Type 3 lobe
cables. Type 1 lobe cables use shielded twisted pair cable and terminate at the network end with a
large MAU plug. (See Figure 2-17.) Type 3 lobe cables use either shielded or unshielded twisted pair
(UTP) cable and terminate at the network end with an RJ-11 plug. (See Figure 2-18.) The TRIP end
of both cable types is a DB-9 plug.
Figure 2-17
Figure 2-18

Token Ring Physical Connections

The term Token Ring refers to both IBM's Token Ring Network, which IBM developed in the 1970s,
and to IEEE 802.5 networks. The IEEE 802.5 specification was modeled after, and still closely
shadows, IBM's network. The two types are compatible, although the specifications differ slightly.
The IBM Token Ring specifies a star topology, with all end stations connected through a device
called a multistation access unit (MSAU). IEEE 802.5 does not specify any topology, although most
implementations are based on a star configuration with end stations attached to a device called a
media access unit (MAU). Also, IBM Token Ring specifies twisted pair cabling, whereas IEEE
802.5 does not specify media type. Most Token Ring networks use shielded twisted pair cabling;
however, some networks that operate at 4 Mbps use unshielded twisted pair cable. Table 2-14 shows
a comparison of the two types.
Token Ring Type 1 Lobe Cable Connectors, DB-9 and MAU Types
TRIP end
MSAU or
MAU end
Token Ring Type 3 Lobe Cable Connectors, DB-9 and RJ-11 Types
TRIP end
MAU end
Preparing Network Connections
Preparing for Installation 2-29