NM-8A/S Cisco 8-Port Async/Sync Serial Network Module

The NM-8A/S is a Cisco 8-port asynchronous/synchronous serial network module for Cisco modular access routers. Its ports use Cisco 60-pin 5-in-1 connectors, the same connector as the 4-port NM-4A/S, and each port runs at up to 115.2 kbps asynchronous or 128 kbps synchronous with an external clock, 125 kbps with an internal clock.

A serial transition cable sets the interface type on each port. With the matching cable a port works as an EIA/TIA-232, EIA/TIA-449, V.35, X.21 or EIA/TIA-530 DTE interface, or as an NRZ/NRZI serial interface.

To meet the Telcordia GR-1089 NEBS standard for electromagnetic compatibility and safety, the NM-8A/S connects only to intrabuilding or nonexposed wiring. The intrabuilding cable must be shielded, with the shield grounded at both ends.

The module has an enable (EN) LED for passing its self-tests, and each port adds CN/LP, RXC, RXD, TXC and TXD LEDs. CN/LP is green in connect mode and yellow in loopback mode, and the other four cover receive clock, receive activity, transmit clock and transmit activity.

Port counts in this module family are 4, 8 and 16: the NM-4A/S has four ports and the NM-16A/S has sixteen with Smart Serial connectors. For other serial and async options, open the Cisco interface card section.