Communication networks including multi-purpose shared communication mediums, and associated methods

A method for transmitting data in a communication network including a shared communication medium, comprising:

• transmitting local data between a first node and a second node according to a first data protocol, using a first shared communication medium including at least one of an electrical cable and an optical cable;
• transmitting remote data between the first node and a network hub according to a second data protocol different from the first data protocol, using at least the first shared communication medium;
• determining that a network resource required at the first node is available at the second node;
• and
• in response to determining that the network resource is available at the second node, accessing the network resource at the first node from the second node using the first shared communication medium.

A method for transmitting data in a communication network including a shared communication medium, comprising:

• transmitting local data between a first node and a second node according to a first data protocol, using a first shared communication medium including at least one of an electrical cable and an optical cable, the local data comprising wireless communication network control data transmitted between a wireless base station at the first node and a wireless communication network control module at the second node;
• transmitting remote data between the first node and a network hub according to a second data protocol different from the first data protocol, using at least the first shared communication medium;
• and
• instantiating the wireless communication network control module in customer premises equipment at the second node.

A node for use in a communication network including a shared communication medium, comprising:

• a first communication module configured to transmit local data between the node and an additional node according to a first data protocol, using a first shared communication medium including at least one of an electrical cable and an optical cable;
• a second communication module configured to transmit remote data between the node and a network hub according to a second data protocol that is different from the first data protocol, using the first shared communication medium;
• and
• a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
• determine that a network resource required at the node is not available via another node communicatively coupled to the first shared communication medium, and
• in response to determining that the network resource is not available via another node communicatively coupled to the first shared communication medium, access the network resource via the network hub.

A node for use in a communication network including a shared communication medium, comprising:

• a first communication module configured to transmit local data between the node and an additional node according to a first data protocol, using a first shared communication medium including at least one of an electrical cable and an optical cable;
• a second communication module configured to transmit remote data between the node and a network hub according to a second data protocol that is different from the first data protocol, using the first shared communication medium;
• and
• a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to:
• determine that a network resource required at the node is available at the additional node, and
• in response to determining that the network resource is available at the additional node, access the network resource from the additional node using the first shared communication medium.