Urgent Setup Question - Cable Modem, Routers, Switches

[Anonymous user]

I am setting up a BR1500 with my system today, and I'm not sure the best way to protect my broadband/network gear. I know what to do about AC power adapters (battery v. just surge protection, etc.), but it's the surge protection for the coaxial cable and the ethernet cable that I'm not sure about.

I have a wired gigabit network, configured as follows:
1. Coaxial cable line with broadband service comes in from the wall and goes into my cable modem;
2. Ethernet cable goes from my modem to my firewall router;
3. Ethernet cable goes from my router to my gigabit switch;
4. Ethernet cable goes from my switch to all my networked devices (several computers, another gigabit switch in another part of the house, and then off that is a wireless access point, a couple of TiVos, and another miscellaneous device or two).

So the only access from the outside world to my gear is: (a) the coaxial cable, then (b) the ethernet to the router, then (c) the ethernet to the switches and gear, etc.

Where is the best place to put the UPS/Surge Protection device? Between the cable from the wall and the cable modem? Or, should I run the coaxial cable right into the modem without any protection, and then take the ethernet cable from the modem and run it to and through the UPS unit using the Modem/Phone/Fax/Network input and output (apparently, the BX1500 doesn't have this option, as is it Modem/Phone/Fax only, i.e., RJ-11, but the BR1500 has a plug that will accept an ethernet network cable, i.e., RJ-45)?

I'm a little worried about signal loss/dropping my broadband connection -- and thus my work network -- if I run the coaxial cable through the UPS. That happened to me a couple of years ago when I ran the cable through another, admittedly lower budget, surge suppressor. But I don't know if the same thing might happen if I run the ethernet through the UPS.

Is there an advantage to one or the other? Or am I missing yet another alternative?

Advice please?

Thanks very much,
Jim

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

Sorry about the delayed response, but if you said your RJ45 Ethernet is connected to a modem with data line surge protection, than you can avoid running it through the UPS. But if the cable modem just has its AC power protected, then we would recommend running the cable through the UPS to surge protect the data line.

Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

I figured I had misdescribed it in some way (like leaving the LCD part off), since you're an expert and would know which of the models have what!

OK, so I'll run the coaxial from the wall to the UPS, then to the modem. Since all my gear will be "behind" the UPS if I do that (in other words, both the power and the coaxial will be protected), and since the ethernet cable starts at the already protected cable modem and never is exposed to the outside world, is it necessary to go back from the modem to the UPS, then to the router, with the ethernet cable too? That's what I just don't get. It seems to be since everything is behind my new "iron curtain" (i.e., the new UPS), I don't need to run the ethernet through, too. Do I?

Thanks much for your numerous prompt responses.

Jim

[Anonymous user]

Hello Jim,

The best option would be to run the Ethernet RJ45 through the UPS to your modem. The best way is run the cable from the wall, to the UPS, then from the UPS to your router/modem/switch. There may be some slight transmission signal lose, but nothing that should affect your connection. If you would like to surge protect your Coax cable, we have a product line called ProtectNet, which are made specifically for surge protecting the data lines.

http://www.apcc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=PV

Thank you very much.

[Anonymous user]

deleted

Message was edited by: jim11

[Anonymous user]

oops, I posted before I finished! Disregard the last post.

I meant to say:

Thanks for the prompt reply. Could you clarify what you mean, though? Your first sentence suggests running the ethernet (RJ-45) cable through the UPS. But then I think your second sentence says to run the coaxial cable through the UPS.

Are you suggesting that I do both: i.e., coaxial cable from wall to UPS, then from UPS to modem, AND then run the ethernet cable from the modem back to the UPS then to the router, etc.?

Not sure what you mean. Thanks again.

PS My BR1500 just arrived and is charging while I figure the rest of this out!

Message was edited by: jim11

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

Run the RJ45 cable through the UPS. The BR1500 should not have the ability to run a Coax Cable through the unit. So, run the coax from the wall to the modem. Then you can run the Ethernet cable from the modem to the UPS and then from the UPS to your switch/router or whatever you wish to run it to. The AC power for the cable modem should be connected to the Battery Backup and Surge Protection outlets.

Hope this helps.

Thanks.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks again for the prompt reply.

Actually, I have my BR1500 in hand -- well, on the desk, as it's over 30 lbs. -- and it does, in fact, have the coaxial pass-through. Here's a picture (although mine also has the RJ-45 pass through, which is not shown in this picture).

http://www.apcc.com/products/moreimages.cfm?partnum=BR1500LCD&type=Back

SInce it has it should I use it (the coaxial)? Or should I just use the ethernet? Or both?

Not sure what to do!

Thanks again,
Jim

Message was edited by: jim11

[Anonymous user]

OK, I was under the impression you had the BR1500, not the BR1500LCD.

Yes, we would recommend running the coax through the UPS to surge protect the data line. The best method is from the wall to the UPS, then from the UPS to the modem. There is a slight chance for transmission signal loss, but if that loss occurs, its is minimal. Also run the RJ45 connection through the UPS as well, to keep that line protected.

Hope this helps. Thank you.

[Anonymous user]

I am setting up a BR1500 with my system today, and I'm not sure the best way to protect my broadband/network gear. I know what to do about AC power adapters (battery v. just surge protection, etc.), but it's the surge protection for the coaxial cable and the ethernet cable that I'm not sure about.

I have a wired gigabit network, configured as follows:
1. Coaxial cable line with broadband service comes in from the wall and goes into my cable modem;
2. Ethernet cable goes from my modem to my firewall router;
3. Ethernet cable goes from my router to my gigabit switch;
4. Ethernet cable goes from my switch to all my networked devices (several computers, another gigabit switch in another part of the house, and then off that is a wireless access point, a couple of TiVos, and another miscellaneous device or two).

So the only access from the outside world to my gear is: (a) the coaxial cable, then (b) the ethernet to the router, then (c) the ethernet to the switches and gear, etc.

Where is the best place to put the UPS/Surge Protection device? Between the cable from the wall and the cable modem? Or, should I run the coaxial cable right into the modem without any protection, and then take the ethernet cable from the modem and run it to and through the UPS unit using the Modem/Phone/Fax/Network input and output (apparently, the BX1500 doesn't have this option, as is it Modem/Phone/Fax only, i.e., RJ-11, but the BR1500 has a plug that will accept an ethernet network cable, i.e., RJ-45)?

I'm a little worried about signal loss/dropping my broadband connection -- and thus my work network -- if I run the coaxial cable through the UPS. That happened to me a couple of years ago when I ran the cable through another, admittedly lower budget, surge suppressor. But I don't know if the same thing might happen if I run the ethernet through the UPS.

Is there an advantage to one or the other? Or am I missing yet another alternative?

Advice please?

Thanks very much,
Jim

[BillP · Accepted solution]

What is the rated dB Signal to Noise ratio loss for the included coax on, say, a BX1500LCD or a PV ?

Do these support frequencies between 5-1000MHz ?