Patent ID: 6866547

Claim:
A method for installing a network interface adapter, comprising: providing an interface adapter, comprising: a housing that defines an interior region of the adapter and an exterior region; a plurality of electrical conductors extending into the interior region of the adapter, the electrical conductors capable of connection to an external electrical filter wherein the electrical filter produces distinct electrical signals from a composite signal of a network and wherein the filter is external to the interface adapter; a plug connector coupled to a first subset of the electrical conductors, the first subset capable of connection to the network, the plug connector located in the exterior region; a receptacle connector coupled to a second subset of the electrical conductors, the second subset suitable for carrying a first distinct electrical signal, the receptacle connector being accessible from the exterior region to receive a compatible plug connector; an electrical port coupled to a third subset of electrical conductors, the third subset suitable for carrying a second distinct electrical signal; wherein the first, second and third subset of electrical conductors extend outside the housing of the filter and are without a direct connection to one other; inserting the plug connector into a compatible receptacle connector; inserting a compatible plug connector into the receptacle connector; electrically coupling the plurality of electrical conductors to the external electrical filter.