AS400 Cabling

Most users on an AS400 today have a combination of AS400 and network applications. Traditionally, the System 34/36/38 and AS400 were cabled with the use of Twinax cable, while networks were cabled with unshielded twisted pair cable. Let us show you how to combine your AS400 and network cables and eliminate the use of Twinax in your office.

Twinax

Twinax cable is the cable that the AS400 and System 36 originally used to connect terminals and printers. The 5250 protocol originally specified the use of Twinax cable to communicate with peripherals.

Twinax cable connects each of the AS400 devices in a "daisy-chain" configuration. Each device is connected to the device before it like a chain. Up to 7 devices per controller port are connected in series.

For those still using Twinax cable, we carry Twinax cable and Twinax accessories in stock, including:

Twinax cable (bulk and pre-assembled)
Twinax male connectors
Replacement parts for Twinax male connectors
Twinax (female) barrel connectors
Twinax terminators
Twinax triple-T connectors
Twinax emulation pigtails
Twinax cable testers
Twinax stripping and crimping tools
Twinax switch boxes

View Twinax Cable View Twinax Connectors

Twinax Cable Disadvantages

Twinax cable is bulky, difficult to install, and is only used for the AS400. New cable is needed when adding a network.
There can be up to 7 devices on the same chain. Any break or bad peripheral in the daisy chain brings down all other devices after the bad device.
Daisy chain is a rigid topology, making it hard to make changes or accommodate moves.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cabling

The alternative to installing Twinax cable is to use unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable. Unshielded twisted pair is already being used by most customers in their LAN applications, it is readily available, inexpensive and easy to install.

Advantages of UTP:

UTP cabling offers migration to LAN without re-cabling, since the same cable is used for both LAN and AS400.
Changes in configuration are simple, making it easy to accommodate moves.
Overall wiring costs are reduced

UTP wiring is more economical than twinax
It is less expensive to re-configure as user locations change
It is less expensive to install

View Cat 5 Cable

Migrating to Twisted Pair

Star hubs and Twinax to RJ11/RJ45 baluns are used when migrating your current Twinax infrastructure to twisted pair. The maximum distance to each device will be much shorter than Twinax unless a star hub is used.

View Baluns

Devices should be connected in a star topology. Each device is on a dedicated cable, offering complete isolation from other devices.

A powered star hub (also known as a power panel) is recommended between the AS400 and the devices. This hub conditions the signal for optimum performance and reliability and greatly increases the distance to each device (2500 to 3000 feet, depending on the brand). Star hubs also provide individual LED port diagnostics to assist in problem isolation. Star hubs come with either one Twinax or RJ11/RJ45 input port to every seven RJ11/RJ45 port outputs.

View Twinax Hubs