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End-to-end links – End-to-end link (E2E link)
Like direct attach cabling, end-to-end links (E2E links) connect two devices using cables that are terminated with a plug on the device‘s end. to the cable. An E2E link that consist of just one cable that is terminated with a plug on each end is identical to direct attach cabling. An E2E link can consist of up to five sections (segments). When two segments are plugged together, on cable has to be terminated with a plug, the other one with a jack; in case both cables are terminated with plugs, a coupler with two back-to-back jacks can be used. This is common with bulkhead connections. When the two back-to-back jacks are 10 centimeters or less apart, the coupler and the two plugs are treated as one connection, otherwise they are treated as two individual connections. E2E links are recognized by the global technical report ISO/IEC TR 11801-9902:2017.
End-to-end links are typically used in industial applications, e.g. to connect machines and plants. The easy plug-and-play connection of the segements allows for quick and easy setup and changes. As the segments are just plugged together, the cabling is very flexible: Should the machine or plant have to be changed, individual segments can be re-routed or replaced easily by longer or shorter ones. The connections consume far less space than outlets would, as industrial outlets have to be particularly robust and have to be protected against environmental stress, which makes the outlets quite bulky.
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Dirk Träger
