[net.dcom] Request for Help re. Twisted Pair LANs

jackson@ttidcb.UUCP (Dick Jackson) (10/22/85)

I need some help re. twisted pair LANs. Information from net experts would
be very much appreciated. This is the problem: Given that you have an
Ethernet capability (we're talking home grown Unix microprocessors with
proprietary networking software) what LAN transmission technology is
available for use with conventional twisted pair wiring. (The supposition is
that Ethernet cable, or any coax, is too difficult to work with in some
applications).

The best solution would minimize the need to change the existing Ethernet
hardware/software capability, eg. you would just have to connect the
Ethernet transceiver cable to a token ring station instead of the normal
transceiver. Obviously I don't know if this kind of answer is feasible, but
if not - what?

Thanks in advance.

Dick Jackson

ron@brl-sem.ARPA (Ron Natalie <ron>) (10/24/85)

> The best solution would minimize the need to change the existing Ethernet
> hardware/software capability, eg. you would just have to connect the
> Ethernet transceiver cable to a token ring station instead of the normal
> transceiver. Obviously I don't know if this kind of answer is feasible, but
> if not - what?
> 
Acutally, doing that would be a real hack.  You'd have to undo all the
ethernet protocol.  If you are running IP you are extremely fortunate.
We run PROTEON's ring net over a variety of media (including fiber
optic).  When we need to interface to an actual ethernet for whatever
reason, we just gateway a little piece of ethernet cable to the
ring using an IP gateway.  BRL has three such ethernets that each in
different buildings that are interconnected by the ring network.

-Ron