why haven't ethernet connectors changed?

Thu Dec 20 18:40:51 UTC 2012

On 12/20/2012 1:20 PM, Michael Thomas wrote:
> I was looking at a Raspberry Pi board and was struck with how large 
> the ethernet
> connector is in comparison to the board as a whole. It strikes me: 
> ethernet
> connectors haven't changed that I'm aware in pretty much 25 years. 
> Every other
> cable has changed several times in that time frame. I imaging that if 
> anybody
> cared, ethernet cables could be many times smaller. Looking at wiring 
> closets,
> etc, it seems like it might be a big win for density too.
>
> So why, oh why, nanog the omniscient do we still use rj45's?
>
> Mike
>
>
Seen an AUI or vampire tap recently?  Vampires made a certain amount of 
sense, but the AUI connector seemed to have little purpose other than 
recycling weak metal from Coors beer cans.  IIRC, the inventor apologized.