I think that you might be describing the DIX connector retaining clamp. Dave Edelman On Dec 20, 2012, at 13:40, "Howard C. Berkowitz" <hcb@netcases.net> wrote:
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.