Local area network of serial intellegent cells

A device for configuring a local area network in a building, the network including a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals, the device comprising:

• a wiring connector for connecting said outlet to the service wiring;
• a filter coupled to said wiring connector and having a data signal port operative to pass only the data signal;
• a modem coupled to said data signal port for data signal communication with the service wiring;
• a data interface connector coupled to said modem for connecting to a data unit.

A method for upgrading an existing service wiring system to operate both for supplying service and as a local area network by using frequency multiplexing of service and data signals, the service wiring system having a plurality of service outlets connected to service wiring in a building, the method comprising:

• providing a wiring connector operative for connecting to the service wiring;
• coupling a filter to the wiring connector, the filter having a data signal port that is operative to pass only the data signal;
• coupling a modem to the data signal port for data signal communication with the service wiring;
• coupling a data interface connector to the modem for connecting to a data unit.

A system for configuring a data network in a building, the system comprising:

• a service wiring carrying frequency multiplexed service and data signals;
• and
• at least two devices each connected to the service wiring, each couplable to a data unit, and each operative to establish data signal communication between the data unit and the service wiring,
• wherein at least one of said devices is attached to a wall of the building.

An apparatus for configuring a local area network in a building for the transport of data across a service wiring using frequency domain multiplexed service and data signals, wherein the service wiring includes at least first and second wiring segments, the apparatus comprising:

• first and second ports each connected to a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;
• first and second filters each coupled to a respective one of said first and second ports, each having a data signal port operative to pass only a data signal;
• first and second modems each coupled to said data signal port of a respective one of said first and second filters, for data signal communication with a respective one of said first and second wiring segments;
• and
• at least one data interface connector coupled to at least one of said modems, and operative for establishing a data signal connection with a data unit.