* How about the plastic stand-offs that hold the AIM-VPN cards in the
2600 and 1700 series. Yeah...the ones that DON'T come with your
SmartNet replacement chassis and that you have the pull the entire board
to release.
* And how about this: Cisco: PICK A BUSINESS END ON YOUR SMALL OFFICE
ROUTING EQUIPMENT. Most of my less clued customer like to "help out"
and rack the equipment ahead of time. And it always gets done pretty
side out. Yeah..the side with a Cisco logo and three lights. It sure
does look like it should be the front, but it's useless that way. Maybe
putting the power on that side would clue people in to the fact that
it's basically useless to point that at the easy-access side of the
rack.
* PCs with built in Ethernet that is so close to a lip on the case, with
the release pointed down, that you need to use a
screwdriver/knife/whatever to release the cable.
* Lack of proper SPAN support on 29xx/35xx series switches. Read only?
I can live with it. No inter-vlan? Very bad.
Does that make my worse design decision using Cisco CPE at my small
customer/remote office sites? Hmmmm....
: > ...and combine that with the RJ45 connecters that have a rubber hood over
: > the release. Grrrrr!
: Thats to prevent it from being disconnected accidentally
: (or for any other reason :->)
Actually, the original intent of those hoods was to snagproof the locking
tab -- which is of interest to places that have the Web O' Patch Panel
Cables. Think "pull a disconnected cable out of the tangled mess and try
not to break off the locking tab".
So it's a tradeoff between preserving the RJ45 connector and making it easy
to disconnect.
I wouldn't consider that a design flaw. In fact, in some environments
that may be the preferred way of doing it. Not only will it look nice
and neat, but if the side of the box where all the connections are
located on is less accessible to humans that may help lessen opportunity
for someone to touch something they shouldn't be touching. Unless your
devices are constantly being re-cabled, this might be considered good
design practice.
Actually, as awkward as those rubber hoods are, what I like about them is
that when you're pulling a disconnected patch cable through a rat's nest
of wires, they prevent the plastic tab from being bent backward.
Not a shameless plug since I don't work for them or own any stock, but
Avaya makes a snagless cable with a second clip which hinges from the
back of the RJ-45 connector. Makes them easier to use as opposed to
hooded and regular vanilla cables.
Since you are the second person to point that out...
2 suggestions:
- 1. Cut the head off and re-crimp it if it has to go that far.
- 2. Use regular power tape, scotch tape, or duct tape to hold the tab
down until it has reached its destination. (You do keep duct tape around
right?)
Gerald
- How are ya? Never been better, ... Just once I'd like to be better.
Actually, as awkward as those rubber hoods are, what I like
about them is that when you're pulling a disconnected patch
cable through a rat's nest of wires, they prevent the plastic
tab from being bent backward.
True but there are also snagless connectors available where the release
tab actually makes a V shape such as to not catch when you're pulling it
through a cable raceway. They definitely do cost a few more $$ though.
I believe the usual suspects... Panduit, AMP sell them.
Luke
>
> Thats to prevent it from being disconnected accidentally
> (or for any other reason :->)
>
> When I get my hands on one of those, I clip off the hood
> with a pair of manicure scissors.
>
> From: "Gerald" <gcoon@inch.com>
> To: "Daryl G. Jurbala" <daryl@introspect.net>
> Cc: "nanog list" <nanog@merit.edu>
> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2003 10:16
> Subject: RE: Worst design decisions?
>
>
> >
> >
> > > * PCs with built in Ethernet that is so close to a lip on the
> > > case, with the release pointed down, that you need to use a
> > > screwdriver/knife/whatever to release the cable.
> >
> > ...and combine that with the RJ45 connecters that have a
rubber hood
> > over the release. Grrrrr!
> >
> > G
> >
> >
> >
>
James Smallacombe PlantageNet, Inc. CEO and Janitor
up@3.am
> Actually, as awkward as those rubber hoods are, what I like about them is
> that when you're pulling a disconnected patch cable through a rat's nest
> of wires, they prevent the plastic tab from being bent backward.
Since you are the second person to point that out...
2 suggestions:
- 1. Cut the head off and re-crimp it if it has to go that far.
- 2. Use regular power tape, scotch tape, or duct tape to hold the tab
down until it has reached its destination. (You do keep duct tape around
right?)
Best tape to use is masking tape it usually will not leave a heavy
residue . Just do not leave tape on them in storage any opf the
tapes will leave residue & the tangs take a memory .
But I also liked another type of hood that did not use a
complete surround covering over the tang . It was more of a thin
spring tang same width as the rj45 tang & rising from the rear of
the hood which went over the top of the rj45 tang & about half way
down its length . But even it had some of the bad properties of
the rj45 tang it could bend & then it caught on everything or
just broke off . Tho it made the last slot near the bottom easier
to contend with . Twyl JimL
True but there are also snagless connectors available where the release
tab actually makes a V shape such as to not catch when you're pulling it
through a cable raceway. They definitely do cost a few more $$ though.
I believe the usual suspects... Panduit, AMP sell them.
Level3 gives customers cables with these ends. Very nice. Looks like a
very odd (but quality) crimping process. Absolute genius. I just
reworked a really messy cabinet and all the patch cables had those
connectors. Not one snag. Best Connector Ever.
