Well, despite being a programmer, network engineer (non-FC) for 24 years..(and a long list of other qualifications)....apparently I'm clueless as to what kind of cable/adapter is actually supposed to connect to the EXP and/or PRI ports of a disk array enclosure on the Link Control Cards?

Yes, let's all have a slow hardy sad laugh at my expense, but in the meantime after I'm duly punished for such ignorance...could someone please tell me exactly what in the world am I looking at in these photo's? It look like internally a simply 8-pin copper connection...-and it looks like it takes some kind of very-slim RJ-type adapter...but RJ-45 is too big, and the HSSDC cables I bought certainly do not go there...-oh, and I should mention that EVERY emc pdf I have downloaded (over 30 of them) does not explicitly state what kind of cable/adapter this is. I'm on day 3 of hunting this one down...

Second question, why does this port (PRI/EXP) seem to have metal surrounds? Is this for grounding whatever the adapter/cable that plug into it?,...and if so, will I need a special adapter and THEN the cable(s)?

Thanks, and yes...I know the drill, the beatings will not stop until moral improves! DOMO in advance!