The DS3 port adapter is used for wide-area connectivity, to link multiple campuses, or to connect to public networks. The DS3 port adapter supports standard BNC coaxial cable connectors. The DS3 can also be used to link a router at a customer site to a central office by way of a virtual path tunnel. The DS3 provides an interface to ATM switching fabrics for transmitting and receiving data at up to 45 Mbps bidirectionally.