> On Jun 26, 2018, at 1:04 PM, Grant Taylor via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
> wrote:
>
> On 06/26/2018 10:31 AM, Mark J. Blair via cctalk wrote:
>> What does non-intrusive mean in this context? I thought that thick ethernet
>> taps always required drilling a hole in the cable.
>
> There are taps that screw onto the N connectors. Thus you have to
> intrusively disconnect segments, to insert the (so called) tap.
>
> Conversely, you can drill / clamp / tap onto live segments in a non-intrusive
> manner.
>
> My assumption was that "tap" comes from the second form. I always thought
> there was a different name for the first form. But I believe they were less
> common, hence fall under the "tap" term which is more popular.
I don't remember seeing the "insert between N connectors" type. "Tap" to me
means a DEC H4000 "vampire tap", and yes, those use a drill to install. That
should be non-disruptive if done correctly.
I believe the original concept was just a probe that would poke through the
cable to contact the center connector. The drill came because the cable was
too tough to penetrate without it. Maybe a side effect of switching to Teflon
flame-resistant insulation. Early prototype cable seemed to be polyethylene,
with a bright yellow outer jacket with black stripes marking the tap spacing.
That might have been softer and suitable for no-drill tapping.
paul
