Hardware Tinkering Part 1 : Ethernet Repeater
MicroHub/8 TP1008C 8-port Ethernet repeater
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| TP1008C-Topview |
This is an 8-port Ethernet Repeater used about two decades ago. It was developed by a company called Compex and it is named as MicroHub/8 TP1008C 8 Port Ethernet Repeater. Checkout the manual for this device if you want to know more about this.
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| TP1008C-Backview |
The device takes coaxial cable input via the BNC Connector on the back and has 8 RJ-45 ports.
There is also a slide switch on the left side of the device to switch between Normal and Uplink modes and two power jacks for connecting to a DC Power supply or a Keyboard 5V Power supply.
What's inside ?
What we can see are two controllers, the TAMARACK M. I. TC3097-8 Lite End Multiport Repeater Interface Controller, and the MYSON Technology MTD392N Coaxial Transceiver Interface.
MTD392N Coaxial Transceiver Interface
The MYSON MTD392N is an integrated circuit (IC) designed for use in networking equipment that interfaces with coaxial cables. In simple terms, its main function is to help devices communicate over coaxial cables in a network.
The MTD392N converts electrical signals used by devices into a form suitable for transmission over coaxial cables and vice versa. This conversion is necessary because coaxial cables use a different type of signal compared to what devices use internally. It includes circuitry to filter out unwanted noise from the signals, ensuring that the transmitted data is clear and reliable despite potential interference. It is compatible with older Ethernet standards like 10BASE5 (thick coaxial cable) and 10BASE2 (thin coaxial cable), making it suitable for use in legacy networking environments.
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The MTD392N receives electrical signals from the device it is connected to, processes these signals to ensure they meet the requirements for transmission over coaxial cables, and then outputs the processed signals for transmission. After processing the input signals, the MTD392N outputs the processed signals in a format suitable for transmission over coaxial cables. These signals can then be sent through the coaxial cables to other devices in the network.
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| MTDX392 Pin DIagram |
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| Package Dimension (16-PIN PDIP) |
In summary, the MTD392N acts as a bridge between the electrical signals used by devices and the signals needed for transmission over coaxial cables. It ensures that the signals are compatible with the coaxial cable medium and maintains signal integrity for reliable communication in the network.
TC3097-8 Lite End Multiport Repeater Interface Controller
In simple terms, the TC3097-8 Lite End Multiport Repeater Interface Controller (LEMRIC) IC is a key component in an Ethernet repeater. Its main function is to manage the flow of data between multiple Ethernet ports in the repeater, ensuring that data is transmitted and received efficiently and without errors.
The TC3097-8 LEMRIC IC manages multiple Ethernet ports in the repeater, handling the incoming and outgoing data traffic from these ports. It processes the incoming data signals from each port, ensuring they are correctly formatted and ready for transmission. The LEMRIC IC detects collisions, which occur when two devices try to send data at the same time, and manages how the repeater handles these collisions to avoid data loss. After processing the incoming data, the LEMRIC IC forwards the data to the appropriate output ports based on the destination address, ensuring that data reaches its intended recipient.
In summary, the TC3097-8 Lite End Multiport Repeater Interface Controller is a critical component in an Ethernet repeater, managing the flow of data between multiple Ethernet ports to ensure efficient and reliable communication within the network.
What all Networks does this device support?
The TC3097-8 Lite End Multiport Repeater Interface Controller (LEMRIC) is designed to support Ethernet networks based on the ISO/IEEE 802.3 standard. Specifically, it is suitable for use with the 10BASE-T and 10BASE2 Ethernet standards, which were prevalent in the early days of Ethernet networking.
- 10BASE-T: A standard for Ethernet over twisted pair cabling (e.g., Cat 3, Cat 5, etc.) with a maximum segment length of 100 meters. It uses a star topology and supports data rates of up to 10 Mbps.
- 10BASE2 (Cheapernet): A standard for Ethernet over thin coaxial cable with a maximum segment length of 185 meters. It uses a bus topology and supports data rates of up to 10 Mbps.
These standards were widely used in the 1990s and early 2000s, especially in small to medium-sized business networks and home networking environments. However, with the advancement of Ethernet technology, the networks that make the TC3097-8 LEMRIC obsolete are typically those that have migrated to newer Ethernet standards and technologies. For example:
- Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX): Offers data rates of up to 100 Mbps over twisted pair cabling and has largely replaced 10BASE-T in modern networks due to its higher speed.
- Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T): Supports data rates of up to 1 Gbps over twisted pair cabling and is commonly used in modern networks, especially for high-speed connections between devices and network infrastructure.
- Fiber Optic Networks: Fiber optic technologies, such as Gigabit Ethernet over fiber (1000BASE-X), offer even higher data rates and longer transmission distances compared to traditional copper-based Ethernet standards.
- Wireless Networks: Wireless networking technologies, such as Wi-Fi (802.11 standards), have become increasingly popular providing connectivity without the need for physical cables.
As a result of these advancements, the TC3097-8 LEMRIC has become obsolete in modern networking environments.
Comparison to Modern Devices
An Ethernet repeater was an early networking device used to extend the reach of an Ethernet network by regenerating and retransmitting signals. However, with advancements in networking technology, several modern devices have largely replaced the traditional Ethernet repeater.
- Switches can forward data to specific devices based on MAC addresses, whereas repeaters simply regenerate and retransmit signals to all connected devices.
- Hubs are similar to repeaters in that they regenerate and retransmit signals to all connected devices, making them less efficient than switches. Like repeaters, hubs have largely been replaced by switches in modern networks due to their limited functionality and inability to manage network traffic efficiently.
- Routers are devices that connect different networks and can determine the best path for data to travel between them. They are more complex than repeaters and have additional features such as network address translation (NAT) and firewall capabilities.
- Wireless Access Points (WAPs) provide wireless connectivity to devices, extending the network's reach without the need for physical cables. They offer mobility and flexibility that repeaters cannot provide.
In summary, the Ethernet repeater is an old technology and it has been replaced by any one of the above mentioned devices. But it is great to understand the working of these devices. I found this device at a place where it's value was not known.
