why haven't ethernet connectors changed?

Fri Dec 21 14:57:21 UTC 2012

http://www.blackbox.com/Store/Detail.aspx/Ethernet-Transceiver-Cable-Office-Environment-PVC-IEEE-802-3-Right-Angle-Connector-3-ft-0-9-m/LCN216%C4%820003

Only $55.95 for a 3-foot transceiver cable. What was more surprising is that Black Box is still around.

matthew black
california state university, long beach

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Thomas [mailto:mike at mtcc.com] 
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 10:20 AM
To: NANOG list
Subject: why haven't ethernet connectors changed?

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