Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical fiber connector assembly for use in communication systems. The optical fiber connector assembly includes an insulating housing having complementary upper cover and bottom base members and at least one ferrule with the housing disposed longitudinally and parallel to the longitudinal axis at the free end of the housing. A multi-faceted key mechanism within the housing provides a marking feature to prevent improper connection of mating connectors. At the rear end of the bottom base and its corresponding upper cover there is provided a hollow retention bolt which is preassemblable and adapted to retain the optical fiber cable in position and to hold the two half-shells together. A dust-reject cover is provided having cooperating grooved recesses in opposite end walls sized to fit over and be retained on the connector cable when the connector is connected to another optical device and the dust cover must be removed from the housing.