Communication node with digital plane interface

A communication node, comprising:

• a case with a front face;
• a first circuit board positioned in the case;
• an integrated circuit (IC) module supported by the first circuit board;
• a second circuit board positioned in the case, the second circuit board have a first side and a second side;
• a PHY module supported by the second circuit board;
• a connector configured to provide communication between the IC module and the PHY module;
• a first transformer box and mounted on the first side;
• and
• a second transformer box mounted in the second side, wherein the first and second transformer boxes each have a housing with an interior and the housings each supports a first terminal set and a second terminal set, wherein each first terminal set is configured to engage a mating connector and the second terminal set is configured to be connected to traces on the second circuit board, wherein the first and second terminals sets in each transformer box are coupled via a transformer provided in the transformer box and both the first and second terminals sets extend into the interior of the respective transformer box.