Installing the MC-E3 Interface Cables

To continue your MC-E3 port adapter installation, you must install the port adapter cables and configure the MC-E3 interfaces. The instructions that follow apply to all supported platforms. Minor differences between the platforms are noted.

Attaching MC-E3 Port Adapter Interface Cables

This section describes the procedures for attaching coaxial cables between the MC-E3 port adapter and your external E3 equipment. Use only 75-ohm, RG-59 coaxial cables for all E3 connections. (For specific cable requirements and options, refer to the "MC-E3 Receptacles and Cables" section.)

Note You must attach the ferrite sleeves (included with the MC-E3 port adapter and shown in the "MC-E3 Receptacles and Cables" section) the 75-ohm coaxial cables that you supply and plan to use for your E3 connections. Attach each ferrite sleeve as close as possible to the port adapter end of each 75-ohm coaxial cable (as shown in ).

We strongly recommend that you fasten together your transmit and receive cables along their entire length, as shown in the "MC-E3 Receptacles and Cables" section. Doing so reduces the effects of EMI. You can use standard heat-activated shrink tubing or cable ties for this purpose.

You can also use a 75-ohm coaxial cable pair that has ferrite sleeves already attached; this cable pair is available from Cisco Systems as Product Number CAB-ATM-DS3/E3. (Refer to Figure 4-1.)

Each E3 link requires separate receive and transmit connections to your external E3 equipment.

Connect the 75-ohm coaxial cables to the MC-E3 port adapter as follows:

Step 1 Attach the 75-ohm, RG-59 coaxial cables directly to the BNC ports on the MC-E3 port adapter. Attach one end of a cable to the port labeled TX and one end of a second cable to the port labeled RX. (See Figure 4-1.)

Figure 4-1: Connecting 75-Ohm Coaxial Cables to an MC-E3 Port Adapter

Caution To prevent system problems and to maintain the proper cable connection sequences, connect the RX and TX ports on your MC-E3 port adapter as indicated in Step 2.

Note The MC-E3 port adapter contains an internal strapping option that you can remove if you require isolation between the receive connection's outer shield and ground.

Step 2 Attach the network ends of your two 75-ohm coaxial cables to your external E3 equipment as follows:

Attach the coaxial cable from the MC-E3 port adapter's TX port to the RX port on your external E3 equipment.
Attach the coaxial cable from the MC-E3 port adapter's RX port to the TX port on your external E3 equipment.

This completes the procedures for MC-E3 port adapter installation and 75-ohm coaxial cable attachment. Proceed to "Configuring the PA-MC-E3" to configure the interfaces on your MC-E3 port adapter.

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