Rugged MT-MT connector

1. A device comprising:

a ferrule;

a housing having a first cantilever spring, a second cantilever spring, a recess for accommodating the ferrule, and a first gap, the first cantilever spring having a first contact area, and the second cantilever spring having a second contact area; and

a holder having a ferrule seating surface, first, second, third, and fourth cantilever spring seating surfaces, and a second gap, the holder interposed between the ferrule, and the first cantilever spring and the second cantilever spring, and wherein the first and second cantilever spring seating surfaces contact the first contact area of the first cantilever spring, and the third and fourth cantilever spring seating surfaces contact the second contact area of the second cantilever spring, and the ferrule contacts the ferrule seating surface of the holder, and wherein the second gap of the holder and the first gap of the housing allow a pre-terminated ribbon cable to pass through the first gap and the second gap so that the ferrule is properly seated in the recess of the housing.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the ferrule conforms to the MT standard.

3. A device according to claim 2 , further comprising a first alignment pin attached to the holder, and a second alignment pin attached to the holder.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the ferrule has a first alignment hole for accommodating the first alignment pin, and a second alignment hole for accommodating the second alignment pin.