Active ethernet cable with broadcasting and multiplexing for data path redundancy

A method comprising:

• producing from an output of a first connector a data stream from a currently selected one of multiple redundant connectors;
• monitoring the data stream for a fault associated with the currently selected one of multiple redundant connectors;
• and
• responsive to detecting said fault, producing from the output of the first connector a data stream from a different selected one of the multiple redundant connectors.

A network that comprises:

• a network node having a first network port;
• a switch having second and third network ports;
• and
• a cable having first, second, and third connectors respectively coupled to the first, second, and third network ports, the cable configured to couple a data stream from a selectable one of the second and third connectors to the first network port.

A method comprising:

• coupling a first network port of a network node to each of multiple network ports of a switch with a cable having a first connector connecting to the first network port and multiple redundant connectors each connecting to one of said multiple network ports;
• conveying a data stream from the switch to the network node via a primary one of the multiple redundant connectors;
• and
• redirecting the data stream from the switch to the network node via a secondary one of the multiple redundant connectors.