Cisco Systems 2500, 3000, 500-CS, 4000 User Manual

Serial Cable Connection Guide

Document ID: 12219

Contents

Introduction
Prerequisites

Requirements
Components Used
Conventions

Overview

DTE or DCE?
Male or Female
Signaling
Ordering

Cisco 7000 Series Cables

Cisco AGS+ Cables

Cisco 4000 Series Cables

NP−2T Cables
NP−4T Cables

Cisco 3000 Series Cables
Cisco 2500 Series Cables
Cisco 500−CS Series Cables
Related Information

Introduction

This document guides you through the process of selecting the right serial cables for your network.

Prerequisites

Requirements

There are no specific requirements for this document.

Components Used

This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.

The information presented in this document was created from devices in a specific lab environment. All of the
devices used in this document started with a cleared (default) configuration. If you are working in a live
network, ensure that you understand the potential impact of any command before using it.

Conventions

For more information on document conventions, see the Cisco Technical Tips Conventions.

Overview

One of the critical parts of setting up any router is the selection of the serial cables to connect the router to the
serial devices in your network. There are so many different serial cables, with seemingly similar features,
finding the correct cable can be tricky. This document guides you through the process of selecting the right
serial cables for your network.

The selection of the proper serial cable involves answering three questions:

Is the router being connected to a data terminal equipment (DTE) or data communications equipment

•

(DCE) device?
Is a male or female connector required on the cable?•
What signaling standard does the device require?•

With the answers to these questions, along with the model of your router, you can find the part number of the
cable required from the tables that follow.

DTE or DCE?

Devices that communicate over a serial interface are divided into two classes: DTE and DCE. The most
important difference between these types of devices is that the DCE device supplies the clock signal that
paces the communications on the bus. The documentation provided with the device should indicate whether it
is DTE or DCE (some devices have a jumper to select either mode). If you cannot find the information in the
documentation, use the following general guidelines to help you select the proper class:

Selectable

DTE DCE

Terminals, Data Service

Device

Gender
* Selectable devices usually have a jumper, switch, or software

command used to select DTE or DCE.

Unit/Channel Service
Unit (DSU/CSU),
Multiplexors

Male Female Either

Modems Hubs, Routers

DTE or

DCE*

Male or Female

The gender of the connector is determined by examining the connector. If pins protrude from the base of the
connector, the connector is male. If the connector has holes to accept the pins, the connector is female. Refer
to the drawings to identify the connector that you need.

Signaling

A number of different standards defines the signaling over a serial cable (including EIA/TIA−232, X.21,
V.35, EIA/TIA−449, EIA−530, and HSSI). Each standard defines the signals on the cable, and specifies the
connector at the end of the cable. The documentation for the device being connected should indicate the
signaling standard used for that device. If you cannot find the information in the documentation, use the
illustrations below to select the signaling standard required. Select the connector that will mate with the
connector on your device, rather than the illustration that looks like the connector on the device.

Ordering

To order serial cables and other Cisco products, contact your local account manager or Cisco customer service
at 800−553−6387.

Cisco 7000 Series Cables

CX−FSIP4 CX−FSIP8 CX−HIP CX−MIP−1CT1 CX−MIP−2CT1

Number
required

EIA/TIA−232
DTE

EIA/TIA−232
DCE

EIA/TIA−449
DTE

EIA/TIA−449
DCE

V.35 DTE
V.35 DCE
X.21 DTE
X.21 DCE

HSSI

1−4 1−8 1 1 1

CAB−232MT(=) CAB−232MT(=) −− −− −−

CAB−232FC(=) CAB−232FC(=) −− −− −−

CAB−449MT(=) CAB−449MT(=) −− −− −−

CAB−449FC(=) CAB−449FC(=) −− −− −−
CAB−V35MT(=)CAB−V35FT(=) CAB−V35MT(=)CAB−V35FT(=) −− −− −−
CAB−V35FC(=)CAB−V35MC(=) CAB−V35FC(=)CAB−V35MC(=) −− −− −−
CAB−X21MT(=) CAB−X21MT(=) −− −− −−
CAB−X21FC(=) CAB−X21FC(=) −− −− −−

CAB−HSI1=,

−− −−

CAB−,
HNUL=(M)*

−− −−

EIA/TIA−530
DTE

/Channelized

DTE is male and DCE is female, unless otherwise noted (M = male) (=) indicates spare product. * Allows connection of routers back−to−back.

CAB−232MT(=)

CAB−232FC(=)

CAB−530MT= CAB−530MT= −− −− −−

−− −− −−

CAB−7KCT1DB15
CAB−7KCT1NULL*

CAB−449MT(=)

CAB−449FC(=)

CAB−V35MT(=)

CAB−V35FT(=)

CAB−V35FC(=)

CAB−V35MC(=)

CAB−X21MT(=)

CAB−X21FC(=)

CAB−530MT=

CAB−HSI1=

CAB−HNUL=(M)

CAB−7KCT1DB15

CAB−7KCT1NULL

Cisco AGS+ Cables

AGS+

Number Required
EIA/TIA−232 DTE
EIA/TIA−232 DCE
EIA/TIA−449 DTE
EIA/TIA−449 DCE
V.35 DTE
V.35 DCE
X.21 DTE
X.21 DCE
HSSI
EIA/TIA−530 DTE
DTE is male, and DCE is female, unless otherwise noted (M =

Optional
CAB−R23=
CAB−R23=
CAB−R44=
CAB−R44=
CAB−VTM(=), CAB−VTF(=)
CAB−VCM(=), CAB−VCF(=)

−−−
CAB−X21CF=
CAB−HSI1=, CAB−HNUL=(M)*

−−−