Connecting the MX2008 to the Network
Tools and Parts Required for MX2008 Router Connections
To connect the router to management devices and MPCs, you need the following tools and parts:
Phillips (+) screwdrivers, numbers 1 and 2
2.5 mm flat-blade (–) screwdriver
2.5 mm Phillips (+) screwdriver
Wire cutters
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding wrist strap
See also
Connecting the Alarm Relay Wires to the MX2008 Craft Interface
To connect the alarm relay wires between a router and an alarm-reporting device (see Figure 1):
- Prepare the required length of replacement wire with gauge between 28 AWG (0.08 mm2) and 14 AWG (2.08 mm2).
- Insert the replacement wires into the slots in the front of the block (see Table 1). Use a 2.5-mm flat-blade screwdriver to tighten the screws and secure the wire.
- Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
- Plug the terminal block into the relay contact, and use a 2.5-mm flat-blade screwdriver to tighten the screws on the face of the block.
- Attach the other end of the wires to the external device.

Table 1: Connecting Alarm Relay Contacts
Function No. | Label | Description |
---|---|---|
1 |
| The alarm relays consist of three terminal contacts with a normal closed (NC), a common (C), and a normal open (NO) relay that signal a minor or major alarm when broken. |
Disconnecting the Alarm Relay Wires from the MX2008 Craft Interface
To disconnect the alarm relay wires from the router and an alarm-reporting device (see Figure 2):
- Disconnect the existing wire at the external device.
- Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist, and connect the strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
- Using a 2.5-mm flat-blade screwdriver, loosen the small screws on the face of the terminal block and remove the block from the relay contact.
- Using the 2.5-mm flat-blade screwdriver, loosen the small screws on the side of the terminal block. Remove existing wires from the slots in the front of the block (see Table 2).

Table 2: Alarm Relay Contacts on the Craft Inteface
Function No. | Label | Description |
---|---|---|
1 |
| The alarm relays consist of three terminal contacts with a normal closed (NC), common (C), and normal open (NO) relays that signal a minor or major alarm when broken. |
Connecting MPC or MIC Cables to the MX2008 Router
To connect the MPCs or MICs to the network (see Figure 3):
- Have ready a length of the type of cable used by the component. For cable specifications, see the MX Series Interface Module Reference.
- Remove the rubber safety plug from the cable connector
port.
Warning Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cable connected to a transceiver emit laser light that can damage your eyes.
Caution Do not leave a fiber-optic transceiver uncovered except when inserting or removing cable. The safety cap keeps the port clean and prevents accidental exposure to laser light.
- Insert the cable connector into the cable connector port on the faceplate.
- Arrange the cable in the cable manager to prevent it from
dislodging or developing stress points. Secure the cable so that it
is not supporting its own weight as it hangs to the floor. Place excess
cable out of the way in a neatly coiled loop. Placing fasteners on
the loop helps to maintain its shape.
Caution Avoid bending fiber-optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.
Caution Do not let fiber-optic cable hang free from the connector. Do not allow fastened loops of cable to dangle, which stresses the cable at the fastening point.
