Patent ID: 7911992

Claim:
A device for coupling data units to the Internet over a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable being connected for carrying a digital data signal in a digital data frequency band that is distinct from a CATV video frequency band, said device comprising: a coaxial connector for connecting to the coaxial cable; a coaxial cable modem for transmitting and receiving digital data over the coaxial cable; a first filter coupled between said coaxial connector and said coaxial cable modem for substantially passing only signals in the digital data frequency band; a first data port for coupling to a first data unit; a first transceiver coupled to said first data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the first data unit; a second data port for coupling to a second data unit; a second transceiver coupled to said second data port for bi-directional packet-based digital data communication with the second data unit; a multiport interconnection circuit consisting of one of: a switch; a router; and a gateway, coupled to pass digital data between said coaxial cable modem and said first and second transceivers; a processor coupled to control and monitor said first and second transceivers and said coaxial cable modem; a first address unit coupled to said processor for storing a first address that uniquely identifies said device in a digital data network; and a single enclosure housing said coaxial connector, said coaxial cable modem, said first filter, said first and second data ports, said first and second transceivers, said multiport interconnection circuit, said processor and said first address unit.