14 Sep
2013
14 Sep
'13
12:56 p.m.
I just collected a VAXstation 2000 that has an AUI connector on the back.
The trouble is that the connector is a bit strange. It has screw holes like
you might get for screwing in a serial cable or a video cable, rather than
the locking slider that grips some studs on the cable you are connecting (or
a transceiver in my case).
Is it possible to get an AUI cable or a transceiver that will fit this
connector or must I physically modify something I already have?
Some machines did indeed have screwposts, not the sliding clip. PERQs
did, for example.
If the connector is a DA15, it is very likely that it is the standard
wiring (again PERQs were), the difference is the locking system only.
There seem to be 2 solutions :
1) Replace the screwposts with the locking clip and screws. I _think_
those locking kits are still available, although mot easy to find or
cheap. Look inside the machine before you start dismandling anything to
see if the posts go into tapped bushes in the socket or if there are
loose nuts ot worry about.
2) Make up a cable. Maingt the AUI drop cable is not easy as the raw
cable is 4 twisted pairs, the power pair being thicker wire than the
other 3. When I was looking for some about 20 years ago I couldn't find
anyone who would sell me less than a 100m reel (not cheap!). I finally
found a freindly networking person who gave me an 'offcut'.
However, it may break all the rules, but for short lengths -- say about
10cm, I think you's get away with a bit of IDC ribbon cable and IDC
conenctors. You probably don't nbeed ot bother with the locking screws or
climsp, jsut make up the cable and plug both ends in
-tony