US20110134792A1 - Method and Apparatus for a Hub in Daisy Chain Configuration - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector hub comprising a number of cable interfaces is used to allow a number of network devices connected to a network to be connected in a free-form manner, yet still maintain a daisy chain configuration. A cable comprising at least two conductors, wherein the conductors are preferably a twisted pair of copper wire, is used to connect each of the network devices to a cable interface on the connector hub, so that each network device only has a single cable connected to it. The connector hub connects a master or primary network device to the network devices connected by a cable to the cable interfaces of the connector in a daisy chain configuration.

Description

• This invention is in the field of network connector devices and more specifically systems for connecting networks in a daisy chain configuration.
BACKGROUND
• Daisy chaining is the simplest way to connect a network. Devices connected by a daisy chain are connected one to another in series and a message that is sent on the network has to travel down the chain from one device to another. Compared to other network topologies, daisy chaining is relatively slow, however in applications that do not require large amounts of data transfer and fast transfer rates, daisy chaining is a common practice and daisy chain networks are common in industrial control networks.
• One common standard that uses a daisy chain configuration for networking devices is the RS-485 standard. While RS-485 devices may be quite common, there are other protocols that specify or can use a daisy chain network configuration such as Apple's LocalTalk™ and many types of industrial applications.
• While networked devices using the RS-485 protocol have always been common in industrial systems, such as larger scale heat and ventilation systems, with the decrease in price of control systems, smaller scale control systems are becoming more common. One area using networked devices that can use a daisy chain topology is home automation and especially home HVAC systems.
• In order to setup devices in a daisy chain network, a cable has to be strung to each of the devices in the network. With the exception in some cases of the first and last devices in a daisy chain network, each device in the network requires a cable running to it from a previous device and another cable running from it to the next device.
• Daisy chaining connections utilize termination resistors on each end of the network to ensure that every transceiver is directly connected to the main current path. Transceivers placed outside the termination resistors daisy chain may not be able to correctly sense the voltage drop and “hear” the transmission. In this way “star” wiring configurations are not allowed for daisy chained networks such as RS-485.
• The disadvantage of wiring the network in this fashion is that there must be some overall plan to the creation of the network. The devices must be planned to some degree because a cable running from the previous device must be connected to the device and a different cable must be run to the next device. This requires the person setting up the network to know where the previous device is as well as the location of the next device. Knowing the placements of the devices may not be overly complicated when the network is small and centralized in one area, but often these daisy chain networks have long distances between devices and these devices might be in different locations that are not in sight of each other. For example, in a HVAC system for a house, the devices connected to the chain network will typically be a controller near the furnace and a number of thermostats connected to the daisy chain network and spread throughout the house. Each thermostat device connected to the network will likely be situated in a different room or location of the house from other devices and it will not always be easy to determine in which direction to run the cable to and from each device.
• Additionally, some of the protocols such as RS-485 networks require a termination resistor at the end of the network. This requires one of the devices to serve as the last device and the network must be planned to end at the device that has the termination resistor in it.
• Not only must the daisy chain network be planned to some degree, but it can also be complicated to add new devices to the network. To add a new device, the network must be disconnected from one of the device and the new device incorporated into the chain. Again, the location of the previous device and next device must be known, which might not be that easy to determine if the network is spread throughout a large building and numerous rooms.
• The different standards for daisy chain networks also specify the type of cable that is required in order to connect the devices. RS-485, for example, specifies certain minimum standards for cable and requires the cable to be a twisted pair in order to use balanced differential signals to reduce or eliminate the effect of interference in the cables.
• There are many cables available that meet the recommendations for the different daisy chain network protocols and there are cables that are specially designed for use with these applications. These cables are quite specialized and although daisy chain networks are common, they are not as common as other more standard types of networks. This often makes the special cabling more costly and harder to find because of its lower production. Also, electricians are often not familiar with these types of specialty cables.
• In more recent years a number of more standard cable specifications have arisen that are not specifically made for daisy chain networks. One very common type of standard cable is referred to asCategory 5 cabling. These standardized cables often include a number of conductors or wire strands and standardized connections to increase the ability of these standard cables to be used in a number of different applications i.e.category 5 consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by RJ45 connectors.
• Because these standard cables can be used in so many applications and circumstances and some, likeCategory 5 wire, are in common use, they are manufactured in very large quantities which generally makes them cheaper than other specialty cables, easier to find and electricians and other installers are more often more familiar with their use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus that overcomes problems in the prior art.
• The present invention provides, in a first embodiment, a master network device for creating a network in a daisy chain configuration. The master network device comprises a network component configured to operate on a daisy chain network and comprising an output port and an input port for connection to the daisy chain network; and a connector hub operative to connect a plurality of network devices in a daisy chain network with cables, wherein each cable comprises two conductors. The connector hub comprises a plurality of sequential cable interfaces including a first cable interface and a last cable interface, each cable interface comprising a pair of conductor connectors, each conductor connector operative to connect one conductor of a connected cable to a connecting circuit. The connecting circuit is configured such that one of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to the output port of the network component and the other of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a next cable interface; the other of the conductor connectors of the next cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a succeeding cable interface, and conductor connectors of the subsequent succeeding cable interfaces are connected sequentially in the same manner; and the other of the conductor connectors of the last cable interface is connected to the input port of the network component.
• The present invention provides, in a second embodiment, connector hub to connect a plurality of network devices in a daisy chain network with cables, wherein each cable comprises two conductors. The connector hub comprises a connecting circuit; a primary network device interface comprising a pair of conductor connectors, each conductor connector operative to connect a conductor to the connecting circuit; and a plurality of sequential cable interfaces including a first cable interface and a last cable interface, each cable interface comprising a pair of conductor connectors, each conductor connector operative to connect one conductor of a connected cable to the connecting circuit. The connecting circuit is configured such that one of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of the primary network device interface and the other of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a next cable interface and the other of the conductor connectors of the next cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a succeeding cable interface; conductor connectors of the subsequent succeeding cable interfaces are connected sequentially in the same manner; and the other of the conductor connectors of the last cable interface is connected to the other conductor connector of the primary network device interface.
• The system allows connection of each of a plurality of network devices in a daisy chain configuration to a central location in a network. Each network device is connected to a cable with two conductors. From the central location, a signal is transmitted down a first conductor in a cable to a network device and the signal is then transmitted back from the network device down a second conductor in the cable. From the central location, the signal is then transmitted down the next cable to the next network device. The cable connections can be made with a standard plug and socket such as are readily available. In this manner, networks that operate on a daisy chain can be wired from a central location in a home run or free-form manner, yet maintain the daisy chain configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• While the invention is claimed in the concluding portions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network in a daisy chain configuration in accordance with the prior art;
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a master network device comprising a connector hub in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 3 illustrates a daisy chain configured network implemented using a master network device in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a connector device;
• FIGS. 5athrough5gare schematic diagrams of connector devices with alternate connecting circuits;
• FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of a connector hub in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 7 illustrates of schematic illustration of daisy chain network implemented using a connector hub in accordance with the present invention; and
• FIG. 8 illustrates a socket and mating plug for connection of a cable to a device in the network.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
• FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a network1 in a daisy chain configuration as known in the prior art. In network1 a number ofnetwork devices121 are connected by a plurality ofnetwork cables5 that connect thenetwork devices121 in series.Network devices121 can be any devices that can operate on a daisy chain configuration such as devices that use the RS485 standard. Thenetwork cable5 has a single conductor and in the case of a daisy chain network operating using the RS485 standard, the single conductor would be a twisted pair of copper wires.
• InFIG. 1 eachnetwork device121 is connected to twonetwork cables5. The network is a chain where eachnetwork device121 is connected to twonetwork cables5, onenetwork cable5 connecting thenetwork device121 to theprevious network device121 and anothernetwork cable5 connecting thenetwork device121 to thenext network device121.
• If the network1 is configured in a master/slave configuration that is fairly common in daisy chain configured network, one of thenetwork devices121 will be the master device on the network1 and the rest of thenetwork devices121 will be slave devices controlled by the master device.
• The present invention uses network cable with at least two conductors in a network that allows each network device to be connected to the network by a single cable yet maintain the configuration of a daisy chain network.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of amaster network device220. Themaster network device220 comprises anetwork component230 and aconnector hub250. Thenetwork component230 could be any known device that can be connected to a network in a daisy chain configuration, i.e. a controller or other network device and would comprises anoutput port232 and aninput port235 for connection to a network configured in a daisy chain. While the terms input and output are conveniently used in describing the invention, it will be understood by someone skilled in the art that if the network is configured to allow bi-directional communication, a port or connection termed an input in this description may transmit out a signal or a port or connection termed an output in this description might receive a signal. Also, typically devices configured to operate on a daisy chain configuration do not require a specific input connection or output connection and the connections can be interchanged without effecting the operation of the network device.
• Typically, if the daisy chain network is configured in a master/slave configuration, thenetwork component230 would be configured as the master device of the network.
• Alternatively, thenetwork component230 could be a serial to Ethernet (or other network standard) bridge. Thenetwork component230 would comprise an internet or other non-daisy chain network connection231 operative to connect the network component to another network. Typically, this network connection would be a conventional Ethernet or other network connection, but it could be a wireless connection such as one that operates on the 802.11 standard for connection to a wireless network. This would allow a daisy chain network created using themaster network device220 to be in a remote location accessible over the internet or other connection. Signal to be transmitted over a daisy chain network created by themaster network device220 could be encapsulated and sent over a network to themaster network device220 where thenetwork component230 strips out the encapsulated signal and transmits the signal onto the daisy chain network connected to themaster network device220. In this manner, themaster network device220 could serve as a bridge between a first daisy chain network in a remote location and a daisy chain network connected to themaster network device220.
• Theconnector hub250 allows the connection of thenetwork component230 to a number of different network devices (not shown) in a daisy chain configuration.Connector hub250 comprises afirst cable interface260, asecond cable interface270, athird cable interface280, afourth cable interface290 and aconnection circuit255.
• Thefirst cable interface260 is operative to connect to a cable comprising at least two conductors and comprises afirst conductor connector262 connectable to a first conductor of a cable connected to thefirst cable interface260 and asecond conductor connector265 connectable to another conductor of a cable connected to thefirst cable interface260. Both thefirst conductor connector262 and thesecond conductor connector265 of thefirst cable interface260 are connected to theconnection circuit255. Thesecond cable interface270 is operative to connect to a cable comprising at least two conductors and comprises afirst conductor connector272 connectable to a first conductor of a cable connected to thesecond cable interface270 and asecond conductor connector275 connectable to another conductor of a cable connected to thesecond cable interface270. Both thefirst conductor connector272 and thesecond conductor connector275 of thesecond cable interface270 are connected to theconnection circuit255. Thethird cable interface280 is operative to connect to a cable comprising at least two conductors and comprises afirst conductor connector282 that is connectable to a first conductor of a cable connected to thethird cable interface280 and asecond conductor connector285 that is connectable to another conductor of a cable connected to thethird cable interface280. Both thefirst conductor connector282 and thesecond conductor connector285 of thethird cable interface280 are connected to theconnection circuit255. Thefourth cable interface290 is operative to connect to a cable comprising at least two conductors and comprises afirst conductor connector292 that is connectable to a first conductor of a cable connected to thefourth cable interface290 and asecond conductor connector295 that is connectable to another conductor of a cable connected to thefourth cable interface290. Both thefirst conductor connector292 and thesecond conductor connector295 of thefourth cable interface290 are connected to theconnection circuit255.
• Theconnection circuit255 operatively connects theoutput port232 of thenetwork component230, theinput port235 of thenetwork component230, thefirst cable interface260, thesecond cable interface270, thethird cable interface280 and thefourth cable interface290 in a daisy chain configuration. Theoutput port232 of thenetwork component230 is operatively connected by theconnection circuit255 to thefirst conductor connector262 of thefirst cable interface260. Thesecond conductor connector265 of thefirst cable interface260 is operatively connected by theconnection circuit255 to thefirst conductor connector272 of thesecond cable interface270. Thesecond conductor connector275 of thesecond cable interface270 is operatively connected by theconnection circuit255 to thefirst conductor connector282 of thethird cable interface280. Thesecond conductor connector285 of thethird cable interface280 is operatively connected by theconnection circuit255 to thefirst conductor connector292 of thefourth interface290. Thesecond conductor connector295 of thefourth cable interface290 is operatively connected by theconnection circuit255 to theinput port235 of thenetwork component230.
• It will be readily understood by someone skilled in the art that the conductor could comprises a twisted wire pair and each conductor connector would be a pair of connectors to connect to each of the twisted wires in the pair.
• In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the cable interfaces260,270,280 and290 would comprise asocket602 that is adapted to receive aplug604 that is attached to the end of thecable115 that is connectable to the cable interfaces260,270,280 or280. For example, it is contemplated that the socket could be adapted to receive a plug conforming to the RJ45 standard that is attached to the end of a cable conforming to thecategory 5 standard for cable. When the plug is inserted into the socket and the connection is made, the conductor connectors will be connected with the proper conductors in the cable.
• AlthoughFIG. 2 illustrates aconnector hub250 comprising four cable interfaces for connecting to four cables, it is contemplated that any practical number of additional interfaces could be incorporated into theconnector hub250 by simply extending the connectingcircuit255.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a daisy chain configurednetwork300 implemented using themaster network device220 ofFIG. 2. Thenetwork300 comprises: themaster device220; a number ofnetwork device320A,320B,320C, and320D; and a plurality ofcables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E; a shortingplug180 and aconnector device110.
• Themaster network device220 comprises:first cable interface260;second cable interface270;third cable interface280; andfourth cable interface290.
• Thenetwork devices320A,320B,320C and320D are network devices that require or allow connection to a daisy chain network, such as devices that can operate using the RS-485 standard. These devices could be any type of device that is useful to network in a daisy chain configuration, i.e. a number of input devices or control devices. If thenetwork300 is configured based on a master/slave relationship between the devices, themaster network device220 will be the controlling or master device and thenetwork devices320A,320B,320C and320D would be slave devices.
• Thecables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E comprise a first end and a second end and have at least two conductors. If thecables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E are designed for connected network devices320 that operate in accordance with the RS-485 standard, the two conductors will each be a twisted pair of copper wires and if thecable115A,115B,115C,115D and115E iscategory 5 cable, the cable will consists of four copper wire pairs. Thecables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E could be terminated with any typical ends that allow connection to the components of the network200, including the stripped wire ends, however, the ends would typically be RJ45 ends to allow quick snap connections to the network devices320 in thenetwork300.
• Theconnector device110 can be any connector that is operative to maintain devices connected to it in a daisy chain configuration. For example,connector device110 can be the connector device as shown inFIG. 4, which is a schematic illustration of aconnector device10. Theconnector device10 illustrated allows network devices (not shown) to be connected by cables (not shown) to theconnector device10 in any fashion and theconnector device10 will ensure that the network devices120 connected to theconnector device10 by cables will be in a daisy chain configuration. Theconnector device10 comprises afirst cable interface20, asecond cable interface22, athird cable interface24, and a connectingcircuit30.
• Thefirst cable interface20,second cable interface22 andthird cable interface24 are configured to be connectable with a cable comprising at least two conductors. The connector device illustrated inFIG. 4 is configured for a daisy chain network conforming to the RS-485 standard where each conductor is a twisted pair of copper wires and therefore each cable interface is shown as having four connections.
• The connectingcircuit30 operably connects the conductors of the cables connected to the cable interfaces in such a manner that the daisy chain configuration of the network is maintained. For the embodiment of the connector device as shown inFIG. 4, the connectingcircuit30 operably connects the first wire pair of a cable connected atconductor connectors21A of thefirst cable interface20 of theconnector device10 to the first wire pair of another cable connected toconductor connectors23A of thesecond cable interface22 of theconnector device10. The second wire pair of a cable connected toconductor connectors21B of thefirst cable interface20 of theconnector device10 will be operably connected by the connectingcircuit30 to the second wire pair of another cable connected to theconductor connectors25B of thethird cable interface24. Finally, the connectingcircuit30 operably connects the second wire pair of a cable connected toconductor connectors23B of thesecond cable interface22 to the first wire pair of a cable connected to aconductor connector25A of thethird cable interface24.
• Alternatively,connector device110 could be a connector device as illustrated inFIGS. 5athrough5g.
• The shortingplug180 inFIG. 3 connects a pair of conductor connectors in an interface together when a cable is not connected to the interface. Using the shortingplug180 will maintain the balance of the signal in the network, but is not strictly required.
• Referring again toFIG. 3, each of thenetwork devices320A,320B,320C and320D are connected by aninterface330A,330B,330C and330D to one end of acable115A,115B,115C and115D, respectively. The other end of eachcable115A,115B,115C and115D is then connected to either acable interface270 or280 on themaster network device220 or aconnector110.Network device320A will be connected by acable115A to aconnector110. Anothernetwork device320B will also be connected by anothercable115B to another interface on theconnector110. Theconnector110 is connected by acable115E tocable interface260 of themaster network device220.Network device320C andnetwork device320D are each connected by acable115C andcable115D directly tocable interfaces270 and280 of themaster network device220, respectively.Cable interface290 is not used in the illustratednetwork300 and has a shortingplug180 inserted in it.
• Inoperation network300 operates as follows.Master network device220 transmits a signal. The signal is transmitted out throughconductor connector262 ofcable interface260 and through a first conductor in thecable115E. The signal is transmitted into connecteddevice110 and fromconnector device110 throughcable115A and intonetwork device320A (ifconnector device110 is the connector device illustrated inFIG. 4). The signal is then transmitted out ofnetwork device320A through another conductor in thecable115A and back intoconnector device110. Fromconnector device110 the signal is transmitted through a first conductor incable115B to thenetwork device320B. The signal then passes back out ofnetwork device320B through another conductor incable115B back and intoconnector device110 where the signal is then transmitted back through another conductor incable115E and back into themaster network device220 throughconductor connector265 ofcable interface260 toconductor connector272 ofcable interface270. The signal is then transmitted out ofconductor connector272 ofcable interface270 through a first conductor in thecable115C and intonetwork device320C. Fromnetwork device320C the signal passes back though another conductor incable115C and back throughconductor connector275 ofcable interface270 toconductor connector282 ofcable interface280. The signal is transmitted out ofconductor connector282 ofcable interface280 through a first conductor ofcable115D to networkdevice320D. Fromnetwork device320D, the signal is transmitted back through another conductor ofcable115D and back throughconductor connector285 ofcable interface280. The signal then passes throughconductor connector292 ofcable interface290, through shorting plug190 toconductor connector295, and then to inputport235 of thenetwork component230 to complete the daisy chain.
• In another embodiment of the invention the connector hub is separate from the first network device.FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic of aconnector hub450 in accordance with the present invention.Connector hub450, likeconnector hub250 inFIG. 2 comprises: afirst cable interface260; asecond cable interface270; athird cable interface280; and afourth cable interface290. Instead of being contained in the master network device with the network component, theconnector hub450 is connectable to a primary network device through a primarynetwork device interface240.
• The primarynetwork device interface240 comprises aninput conductor connector242 and anoutput conductor connector245 and theinput conductor connector242 and theoutput conductor connector245 are operative to connect to conductors (not shown) from a primary network device (not shown). The primary network device that is connected by conductors to the primarynetwork device interface240 would typically be a master device if the daisy chain network is configured in a master/slave relationship, however it does not have to be. The conductors that connect the primary network device to theprimary network device240 could each comprises a single conductor and they could be wires (such as a twisted pair) or a printed circuit board wherein the primarynetwork device interface240 could connect to a slot on the primary network device. Alternatively, these two conductors could be enclosed in a single cable.
• It will be readily understood by someone skilled in the art that the conductors could comprise a twisted wire pair and each conductor connector would be a pair of connectors to connect to each of the twisted wires in the pair.
• In one embodiment of the invention, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the cable interfaces260,270,280 and290 would comprise asocket602 that is adapted to receive aplug604 that is attached to the end of acable115 that is connectable to thecable interface260,270,280 or290. For example, it is contemplated that the socket could be adapted to receive a plug conforming to the RJ45 standard that is attached to the end of a cable conforming to thecategory 5 standard for cable. When the plug is inserted into the socket and the connection is made, the conductor connectors will be connected with the proper conductors in the cable.
• AlthoughFIG. 6 illustrates aconnector hub450 comprising four cable interfaces for connecting to four cables, it is contemplated that any practical number of additional interfaces could be incorporated into theconnector hub250 in the manner shown.
• FIG. 7 illustrates of schematic illustration of daisy chain configurednetwork500 implemented using theconnector hub450.Network500 comprises: aprimary network device350;connector hub450; a plurality ofcables115A,115B,115C,115D, and115E; a plurality ofnetwork devices320A,320B,320C and320D; a shortingplug180 and aconnector device110. Thenetwork500 operates in the same manner as thenetwork300 ofFIG. 3
• Thecables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E comprise a first end and a second end and have at least two conductors. If thecables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E are for connected network devices120 that operate in accordance with the RS-485 standard the two conductors will each be a twisted pair of copper wires and if thecable115A,115B,115C,115D and115E iscategory 5 cable, the cable will consists of four copper wire pairs. Thecables115A,115B,115C,115D and115E could be terminated with any typical ends that allow connection to the components of thenetwork500, including the stripped wire ends, however, the ends would typically be RJ45 ends to allow quick snap connections to corresponding sockets in the components in thenetwork500.
• The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims (24)

1. A master network device for creating a network in a daisy chain configuration, the master network device comprising:

a network component configured to operate on a daisy chain network and comprising an output port and an input port for connection to the daisy chain network; and

a connector hub operative to connect a plurality of network devices in a daisy chain network with cables, wherein each cable comprises two conductors, the connector hub comprising:

a plurality of sequential cable interfaces including a first cable interface and a last cable interface, each cable interface comprising a pair of conductor connectors, each conductor connector operative to connect one conductor of a connected cable to a connecting circuit;

wherein the connecting circuit is configured such that:

one of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to the output port of the network component and the other of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a next cable interface; the other of the conductor connectors of the next cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a succeeding cable interface, and

conductor connectors of the subsequent succeeding cable interfaces are connected sequentially in the same manner; and

the other of the conductor connectors of the last cable interface is connected to the input port of the network component.

2. The device ofclaim 1 wherein each conductor connector of each cable interface is operative to connect to a conductor that is a twisted wire pair.

3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of the cable interfaces is operative to connect to a category 5 cable.

4. The device ofclaim 1 wherein at least one cable interface comprises a socket adapted to receive a plug attached to an end of a cable, and wherein inserting the plug into the socket connects the conductors of the cable to the conductor connectors of the at least one cable interface.

5. The device ofclaim 4 wherein the plug and socket conform to the RJ45 standard.

6. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the network component is configured to operate on a network using the RS 485 standard.

7. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the network component comprises a second network connection operative to connect to a second network and the network component is operative to act as bridge from the second network to the daisy chain network.

8. The device ofclaim 7 wherein the network connection is an Ethernet connection.

9. The device ofclaim 7 wherein the network connection is a wireless connection.

10. The device ofclaim 7 wherein the network connection is an internet connection.

11. A daisy chain network comprising a master network device according toclaim 1, and at least two network devices, wherein:

each network device is operative to communicate as a node in a daisy chain network; and

each network device is operatively connected by a cable to a cable interface of the master network device.

12. The network ofclaim 11 wherein each of the cable interfaces of the master network device not connected to a cable has a shorting plug inserted in the cable interface.

13. A daisy chain network comprising a master network device according toclaim 1, and at least two network devices, wherein:

each network device is operative to communicate as a node in a daisy chain network;

each network device is operatively connected by a cable to one of a cable interface of the master network device and a connector device; and

wherein each cable interface of each connector device is connected by a cable to one of a network device and another connector device.

14. The network ofclaim 13 wherein each of the cable interfaces of the master network device not connected to a cable has a shorting plug inserted in the cable interface.

15. A connector hub to connect a plurality of network devices in a daisy chain network with cables, wherein each cable comprises two conductors, the connector hub comprising:

a connecting circuit;

a primary network device interface comprising a pair of conductor connectors, each conductor connector operative to connect a conductor to the connecting circuit; and

a plurality of sequential cable interfaces including a first cable interface and a last cable interface, each cable interface comprising a pair of conductor connectors, each conductor connector operative to connect one conductor of a connected cable to the connecting circuit;

wherein the connecting circuit is configured such that:

one of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of the primary network device interface and the other of the conductor connectors of the first cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a next cable interface and the other of the conductor connectors of the next cable interface is connected to one of the conductor connectors of a succeeding cable interface;

conductor connectors of the subsequent succeeding cable interfaces are connected sequentially in the same manner; and

the other of the conductor connectors of the last cable interface is connected to the other conductor connector of the primary network device interface.

16. The device ofclaim 15 wherein each conductor connector of each cable interface is operative to connect to a conductor that is a twisted wire pair.

17. The device ofclaim 15 wherein at least one of the cable interfaces is operative to connect to a category 5 cable.

18. The device ofclaim 15 wherein at least one cable interface comprises a socket adapted to receive a plug attached to an end of a cable, and wherein inserting the plug into the socket connects the conductors of the cable to the conductor connectors of the at least one cable interface.

19. The device ofclaim 18 wherein the plug and socket conform to the RJ45 standard.

20. The system ofclaim 15 wherein the network component is configured to operate on a network using the RS 485 standard.

21. A daisy chain network comprising: a connector hub according toclaim 15; a primary network device; and at least two network devices, wherein:

the primary network device and each network device are operative to communicate as a node in a daisy chain network;

the primary network device is operatively connected to the primary network device interface of the connector hub; and

each network device is operatively connected by a cable to a cable interface of the connector device.

22. The network ofclaim 21 wherein each of the cable interfaces of the connector hub not connected to a cable has a shorting plug inserted in the cable interface.

23. A daisy chain network comprising: a connector hub according toclaim 15; a primary network device; and at least two network devices, wherein:

the primary network device and each network device are operative to communicate as a node in a daisy chain network;

the primary network device is operatively connected to the primary network device interface of the connector hub;

each network device is operatively connected by a cable to one of a cable interface of the master network device or a connector device; and

wherein each cable interface of each connector device is connected by a cable to one of a network device and another connector device.

24. The network ofclaim 23 wherein each of the cable interfaces of the master network device not connected to a cable has a shorting plug inserted in the cable interface.

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