I'm a homeowner who just had a professional installer come by to consult on a data and multimedia retrofit in the 35+ year-old brick house we just moved into. He suggested I consider using "network-over-coax" technology to help integrate my multimedia and computing needs using existing coax wiring in the walls.

Does anyone have feedback on how reliable this is? Easy to configure?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Steve

No way to run Cat-5 or go wireless 802.11 G?

G

Not really, without going outside with other complications. We tried wireless, but it's not reliable.

Steve

What kind of coax? I am not too familiar with the details, but networks have been done for years and years using coax, and it would be good if you identify the type of coax that the contractor has suggested so when an actual expert reads this, HE won't have to ask, then wait for your reply. The answer could tell an expert whether this guy is blowing smoke, or signing up for on-the-job training, or knows what he is talking about.

Also, did he name the kind of technology that would be used? For instance, the name "token ring" comes to mind. No, that was not Tolkien Ring, but token ring.

they now have network over rg6 or rg6 quad at same time it passes cable tv. if i find the info i will post it

ed

Ernie is correct, Older systems used "token ring " over coax.
It uses a client to client topology, another name fir it is Thin net
I am not sure of size coax it uses but it is much smaller than rg-59. Do a google, I saw a company in one of the trade mags. for network over rg-6

Chances are, at 35 years old, that it's RG59 and most likely "daisy chained". I don't know much about network over coax but, I know that I even hear the words "daisy chained" and I cringe. Best of luck!

networking over coax is definitely the wave of the future -- TV and IP sharing a single coax, without disruption to either service. With the technologies available today, you can have a network of coax and the cheapest splitters, and it will still work.

I believe the only company shipping right now is Coaxsys (www.coaxsys.com), but there are up to 10 different technologies pending.

Biggest push is MOCA Alliance (www.mocalliance.org), but there are many more., including 1394 over coax (http://www.pulse-link.com/) and LG's new technology ([Link: biz.yahoo.com]). Virtually every major CE mfr. was demonstrating coax-networking technology at CES. With cable companies retrofitting the stuff for free, it will trump Cat 5 probably by 100 to 1.

For today, though? I think Coaxsys does the trick.

What kind of wireless haveyou tried. get some good quality stuff. not $29.99 Bestbuy stuff and you'll most likely have better results.

Token ring and thin net are 2 different things. Thin net is a bus topology and is used for ethernet (10 base 2). Token ring is a ring topology where each device processes and retransmits the signal. Token ring generally used twsted pair. 10 base 2 used RG-58.

Not that any of that matters because I'm sure were talking CATV coax.

The coaxsys stuff works great. Many of the IPTV deployments use them to prevent from having to run new cable.

I have had my eye on the coaxsys product and hope to try it the next time I get into a snag without a cat5/6 to a location. Plus they claim 100mb through put, which will likely be a less in real life but better than wireless.

Token Ring uses RG58 that is 50ohm cable. It is an antiquated technology. Dial up would be a better solution at this point.

Coaxsys will do network over coax.....sounds like good stuff for a retro but new construction i will stick with my cat6 cable.

Thanks, everyone. I'm in contact with Coaxys, and that appears to be the best solution for us. I appreciate the input.

Steve

10 base 2 thinet uses RG58. This is ethernet not token ring.
A lot of people get them confused cause one computer connects to next in a daisy chain fashion. It requires a terminator on each end of the coax so it is not a ring.

In token ring every computer is connected together logically in a complete ring. It physically uses a star topology just like the 100baseT we use now. The token is passed from one computer to the next, the computer with the token attaches data to it and sends it around the ring to the recieving computer where it strips the data, attaches an acknologment and sends it back around the ring. Even though every computer is plugged in to the hub (mau) the signal is still passing through every computer.


People call 10 base 2 token ring all the time because it seems to make sense. It is two completely different technologies. One is standard ethernet over coax the other uses the token and Shielded Twisted Pair.