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The "Digital Ethernet Local Network Interconnect" is an ethernet hub-like device with nine AUI ports. They were manufacturerd from 1983 until the early 90s when they were replaced by the "Replacement DELNI". It comes in a standard 19" 1.5U rack enclosure with a built-in power supply.
In reality the DELNI is not a repeater (hub) but rather is more like a multiboard and amplifier. It multiplexes eight hosts onto the transciever attached to port 9. Additionally, it can act as if a loopback adapter is attached to port 9 allowing hosts attached to the other 8 ports to communicate with each other without the DELNI being attached to a network. On a simple level it behaves just like a hub (data goes in one port, comes out all the others) but it will also amplify and retransmit noise and it eats 5 meters or so off the (typically 50m) maximum.
Ports one to eight can be attached directly to a computer - no Medium Attachment Unit / transciever required. The nineth port. The ninth port (marked by a square instead of a number) can be attached to a MAU when the switch next to it is in the lower position (marked with a box with a line through it). If the switch is in the upper position (empty box) the ninth port can be used as an input from another DELNI. Cascading like this is allowed for up to two steps.
![[Original DELNI]](images/global-connector-and-power.jpg)
Front |
Ports |
Top-left |
Top-right |
Underside
The only obvious difference between the original and the replacement seems to be a different case. The replacement comes in a newer looking plastic case with a push button instead of a switch to configure port 9.
![[Replacement DELNI]](images-r/front.jpg)
Front |
Back-right |
Underside |
Front-left |
Front-right
