Path: utzoo!yunexus!geac!syntron!jtsv16!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!ftp!jbvb
From: jbvb@ftp.COM (James Van Bokkelen)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: Running a LAN off the existing RJ-45 phone lines
Summary: Starlan and 802.5 are supposed to run on twisted pair
Message-ID: <375@ftp.COM>
Date: 11 Oct 88 20:49:27 GMT
Article-I.D.: ftp.375
References: <1238@umbc3.UMD.EDU> <25288@bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Organization: FTP Software Inc., Cambridge, MA
Lines: 21

One media Kent didn't mention is Starlan (IEE 10base1, I think).
It uses 802.3 packet formats at a 1Mb data rate, and there are a
number of PC network cards which support it (AT&T, MICOM-Interlan,
Western Digital, Fox Research/DCA/10-Net).  Since most of these cards
are identical with their Ethernet version from a software point of view,
many TCP/IP packages (and proprietary LAN OSs) will run transparently.
There are also 10Mb <==> 1Mb bridges available from several vendors
(Retix and CrossCom are two that I can remember off-hand).

Another that is supposed to run on twisted pair is IBM's 4Mb Token Ring.
This is also supported by a number of hardware vendors (IBM, 3Com and
Proteon that I am sure of), and at least Netware and Vines will run on
it.  TCP/IP support is available from IBM and us (our PC/TCP).

I've never used either on existing wire - presumably most of the standard
caevats will apply; no routing near sources of electrical noise, not
too many intermediate punch-down blocks, relatively short wire runs,
relatively high-quality twsited pair to begin with (no tinsel).

James VanBokkelen
FTP Software Inc.