As I understand it, Token Ring MAUs are essentially passive devices that simply use relays to connect/disconnect ports. But the passive MAUs (as opposed to later token ring "switches") all seem to use the huge bulky connectors, as opposed to 8P8C.

I wonder if a passive MAU with 8P8C ports could be built in a rather straightforward manner. That is, is the physical layer well-understood enough to facilitate such a project? Or is there an actual technical reason for all the 8P8C units being active?