Entry adapters for frequency band blocking internal network signals

• US 10,284,903 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2018
• Issued: 05/07/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Wells, Chad T., Egan, Jr., John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dubasky, Gigi L
• Application Number:
  US15/880,381
• Publication Number:
  US 20180160170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 467 Days
• Field of Search: 725 78
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/63 Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing real-time session protocols H04L65/1101; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/104 Switchers or splitters

Abstract

An entry adapter is configured to allow downstream and upstream network signals from an external network to communicate with a client device in an internal network. The entry adapter includes a two-way, downstream and upstream network communications and frequency hand, internal network signal blocking device, which includes a signal splitter and a diplexer configured to separate network signals into a high frequency band network signal range and a low frequency band network signal range. The internal network signals are in the high frequency band network signal range, and the downstream and upstream network signals are in the low frequency band network signal range. The signal splitter is configured to allow a first reduced signal-strength network signal copy to be communicated to a primary network port and allow a second reduced signal-strength network signal copy to be communicated to a secondary network port.

Claims

1. An entry adapter for communicating two-way, downstream and upstream cable television (CATV) signals between a CATV network and a subscriber device at a subscriber premises and for communicating in-home network signals in an in-home network, the CATV signals being within a CATV frequency band range that is different from an in-home network frequency band range of the in-home network signals, the in-home network including a network interface that is configured to communicate with the subscriber device so as to communicate the in-home network signals in the in-home network, the entry adapter comprising:

a CATV entry port configured to be in communication with a CATV network;

a primary network port configured to be in communication with a server network interface of an in-home network that is configured to communicate with a subscriber device;

a plurality of secondary network ports each configured to be in communication with a client network interface of the in-home network;

a first signal splitter having a first splitter input terminal, and a plurality of first splitter output terminals, the first signal splitter being configured to split a CATV network signal into a first CATV network signal copy and a second CATV network signal copy, communicate the first CATV network signal copy to the primary network port, and the server network interface, and communicate the second CATV network signal copy to at least one of the plurality of secondary network ports, and the client network interface;

a two-way, downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device configured to allow downstream and upstream CATV signals to be communicated between the CATV network and the subscriber device;

a second signal splitter having a second splitter input terminal, and a plurality of second splitter output terminals, the second signal splitter being configured to split the second CATV network signal copy into a plurality of CATV network signal copies each having a reduced signal-to-noise ratio after the second signal splitter has split the second CATV network signal copy into the plurality of CATV network signal copies, and communicate the plurality of CATV network signal copies to the plurality of secondary network ports;

wherein the first CATV network signal copy is not split between the first signal splitter and the primary network port, such that the first CATV network signal copy has a higher strength than the plurality of CATV network signal copies split from the second CATV network signal copy;

wherein the two-way, downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device is configured to at least partially block in-home network signals from being communicated to the CATV network;

wherein the two-way, downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device comprises a first diplexer and a second diplexer;

wherein the first diplexer includes a first high frequency band terminal, a first low frequency band terminal, and a first common terminal;

wherein the first low frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with one of the plurality of first splitter output terminals of the first signal splitter;

wherein the first common terminal is configured to communicate with the primary network port;

wherein the first diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals in a predetermined high frequency band range through the first high frequency band terminal;

wherein the first diplexer is configured to communicate CATV signals in a predetermined low frequency band range through the first low frequency band terminal;

wherein the second diplexer includes a second high frequency band terminal, a second low frequency band terminal, and a second common terminal;

wherein the second high frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer,

wherein the second low frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with another one of the plurality of first splitter output terminals of the first signal splitter;

wherein the second common terminal is configured to communicate with at least one of the plurality of secondary network ports;

wherein the second diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals in the predetermined high frequency band range through the second high frequency band terminal;

wherein the second diplexer is configured to communicate CATV signals in the predetermined low frequency band range through the second low frequency band terminal;

wherein the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer is configured to communicate with the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer;

wherein the in-home network signals are in the predetermined high frequency band range, and not in the predetermined low frequency band range;

wherein the downstream and upstream CATV signals are in the predetermined low frequency band range, and not in the predetermined high frequency band range;

wherein the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer is connected to the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer so as to limit transmission of in-home network signals through the server network interface, the client network interface, the first diplexer, the second diplexer, and the second signal splitter so as to prevent-in-home network signals from being distributed to the CATV network; and

wherein the downstream and upstream CATV signals and the in-home network signals are both made available to the server network interface and the client network interface so that the subscriber device is configured to interact with not only the downstream and upstream CATV signals, but also the in-home network signals, and the first and second diplexers are configured to separate high and low frequency bands of signals so as to prevent high frequency in-home network signals from reaching the CATV network.

2. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first signal splitter, the first diplexer, the second diplexer, and the second signal splitter are passive electrical components.

3. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the downstream and upstream CATV signals are distributed through the two-way downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device without being attenuated.

4. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the server network interface is configured to send and receive downstream and upstream CATV signals between the CATV network and the subscriber device.

5. The entry adapter of claim 4, wherein the server network interface is configured to store downstream CATV signals and supply network signals to the client network interface based on the stored downstream CATV signals.

6. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the client network interface is configured to send and receive network signals between the CATV network and the subscriber device.

7. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first signal splitter comprises a two-way splitter.

8. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the second signal splitter comprises a four-way splitter.

9. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first CATV network signal copy and the second CATV network signal copy each has a reduced signal-to-noise ratio after the first signal splitter has split the CATV network signal into the first CATV network signal copy and the second CATV network signal copy.

10. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the CATV entry port is configured to be in direct communication with the CATV network.

11. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the primary network port is configured to be in direct communication with the server network interface for the subscriber device.

12. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondary network ports are each configured to be in direct communication with the client network interface for the subscriber device.

13. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein first signal splitter is configured to directly communicate the first CATV network signal copy to the primary network port.

14. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first low frequency band terminal is configured to directly communicate with one of the first splitter output terminals of the first signal splitter.

15. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first common terminal is configured to directly communicate with the primary network port.

16. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first diplexer is configured to directly communicate in-home network signals in the predetermined high frequency band range through the first high frequency band terminal, and wherein the first diplexer is configured to directly communicate CATV signals in the predetermined low frequency band range through the first low frequency band terminal.

17. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate with the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer.

18. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the second low frequency band terminal of the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate with one of the first splitter output terminals of the first signal splitter.

19. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the second common terminal of the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate with the plurality of secondary network ports.

20. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate in-home network signals in the predetermined high frequency band range through the second high frequency band terminal, and wherein the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate CATV signals in the predetermined low frequency band range through the second low frequency band terminal.

21. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the entry adapter is configured to eliminate a need for an in-home network frequency band rejection filter, while blocking in-home frequency band signal from entering the CATV network, and while assuring that a high strength downstream CATV signal will be delivered to the subscriber device during operation of the entry adapter.

22. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the predetermined low frequency band range is a CATV frequency range that encompasses both the upstream and downstream CATV signals.

23. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the predetermined low frequency band range comprises a downstream frequency band range and an upstream frequency band range.

24. The entry adapter of claim 23, wherein the downstream frequency band range comprises 54 MHz to 1002 MHz, and the upstream frequency band range comprises 5 MHz to 42 MHz.

25. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the predetermined low frequency band range comprises 5 MHz to 1002 MHz.

26. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the predetermined high frequency band range is the in-home network frequency band range of the in-home network signals.

27. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the in-home network frequency band range is higher than a frequency band range employed for CATV signals.

28. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the in-home network frequency band range comprises 1125 MHz to 1525 MHz.

29. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first low frequency band terminal of the first diplexer and the second low frequency band terminal of the second diplexer are configured to confine transmission of high frequency in-home network signals only through the server network interface, the client network interface, the first diplexer, the second diplexer, and the second signal splitter so as to prevent high frequency in-home network signals from being distributed to the CATV network.

30. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first signal splitter comprises a two-way splitter configured to distribute the downstream CATV signals to not only the server network interface, but also a subscriber device in communication with the server network interface, with only a single reduction in signal strength caused by splitting the downstream CATV signals in the two-way splitter so as to allow the server network interface to store multimedia content based on the single reduction in signal strength of the downstream CATV signals distributed from the two-way splitter.

31. The entry adapter of claim 1, wherein the first and second diplexers are configured to prevent the in-home network signals from being transmitted from the primary network port to the entry port and to prevent the in-home network signals from being transmitted from any of the plurality of secondary network ports to the entry port.

32. An entry adapter for communicating two-way, downstream and upstream cable television (CATV) signals between a CATV network and a subscriber device at a subscriber premises and for communicating in-home network signals in an in-home network, the CATV signals being within a CATV frequency band range that is different from an in-home network frequency band range of the in-home network signals, the in-home network including a network interface that is configured to communicate with the subscriber device so as to communicate the in-home network signals in the in-home network, the entry adapter comprising:

a CATV entry port configured to be in communication with a CATV network;

a primary network port configured to be in communication with a server network interface of an in-home network that is configured to communicate with a subscriber device;

a secondary network port configured to be in communication with a client network interface of the in-home network;

a signal splitter having a splitter input terminal, a first splitter output terminal, and a second splitter output terminal, the signal splitter being configured to split a CATV network signal into a first CATV network signal copy and a second CATV network signal copy, communicate the first CATV network signal copy to the primary network port, and communicate the second CATV network signal copy to the secondary network port;

a two-way, downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device configured to allow downstream and upstream CATV signals to be communicated between the CATV network and the subscriber device and to allow in-home network signals to be communicated between the server network interface and the client network interface;

wherein the first CATV network signal copy is not split between the signal splitter and the primary network port;

wherein the two-way, downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device is configured to at least partially block in-home network signals from being communicated to the CATV network;

wherein the two-way, downstream and upstream communication and in-home network signal blocking device comprises a first diplexer and a second diplexer;

wherein the first diplexer includes a first high frequency band terminal, a first low frequency band terminal, and a first common terminal;

wherein the first low frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with the first splitter output terminal of the signal splitter;

wherein the first common terminal is configured to communicate with the primary network port;

wherein the first diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals in a high frequency band range through the first high frequency band terminal;

wherein the first diplexer is configured to communicate CATV signals in a low frequency band range through the first low frequency band terminal;

wherein the second diplexer includes a second high frequency band terminal, a second low frequency band terminal, and a second common terminal;

wherein the second high frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer,

wherein the second low frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with the second splitter output terminal of the signal splitter,

wherein the second common terminal is configured to communicate with the secondary network port;

wherein the second diplexer is configured to communicate in-home network signals in the high frequency band range through the second high frequency band terminal;

wherein the second diplexer is configured to communicate CATV signals in the low frequency band range through the second low frequency band terminal; and

wherein the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer is configured to communicate with the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer.

33. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the in-home network signals are in the high frequency band range, and not in the low frequency band range, and wherein the downstream and upstream CATV signals are in the low frequency band range, and not in the high frequency band range.

34. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the client network interface is configured to send and receive network signals CATV network and the subscriber device.

35. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter comprises a first signal splitter, the entry adapter further comprising a second signal splitter.

36. The entry adapter of claim 35, wherein the first signal splitter comprises a two-way splitter.

37. The entry adapter of claim 35, wherein the second signal splitter comprises a four-way splitter.

38. The entry adapter of claim 35, wherein the second signal splitter comprising a second splitter input terminal and a second splitter output terminal.

39. The entry adapter of claim 35, wherein the second signal splitter comprises a second splitter input terminal and a plurality of second splitter output terminals.

40. The entry adapter of claim 39, wherein the secondary network port comprises a plurality of secondary network ports, the client network interface comprises a plurality of client network interfaces, the subscriber device comprises a plurality of subscriber devices, and the second signal splitter is configured to split a CATV network signal into a plurality of CATV network signal copies, and communicate the plurality of CATV network signal copies to the plurality of secondary network ports, the plurality of client network interfaces and the plurality of subscriber devices.

41. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the first CATV network signal copy and the second CATV network signal copy each has a reduced signal-to-noise ratio after the signal splitter has split the CATV network signal into the first CATV network signal copy and the second CATV network signal copy.

42. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the CATV entry port is configured to be in direct communication with the CATV network.

43. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the primary network port is configured to be in direct communication with the server network interface for the subscriber device.

44. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the secondary network port is configured to be in direct communication with the client network interface for the subscriber device.

45. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter is configured to directly communicate the first CATV network signal copy to the primary network port.

46. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the first low frequency band terminal is configured to directly communicate with the first splitter output terminal of the signal splitter.

47. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the first common terminal is configured to directly communicate with the primary network port.

48. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the first diplexer is configured to directly communicate in-home network signals in the high frequency band range through the first high frequency band terminal.

49. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the first diplexer is configured to directly communicate CATV signals in the low frequency band range through the first low frequency band terminal.

50. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate with the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer.

51. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the second low frequency band terminal of the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate with the second splitter output terminal of the signal splitter.

52. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate in-home network signals in the high frequency band range through the second high frequency band terminal.

53. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the second diplexer is configured to directly communicate CATV signals in the low frequency band range through the second low frequency band terminal.

54. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the entry adapter is configured to eliminate a need for an in-home network frequency band rejection filter, while blocking in-home frequency band signal from entering the CATV network, and while assuring that a high strength downstream CATV signal will be delivered to the subscriber device during operation of the entry adapter.

55. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the low frequency band range is a CATV frequency range that encompasses both the upstream and downstream CATV signals.

56. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the low frequency band range comprises a downstream frequency band range and an upstream frequency band range.

57. The entry adapter of claim 56, wherein the downstream frequency band range comprises 54 MHz to 1002 MHz.

58. The entry adapter of claim 56, wherein the upstream frequency band range comprises 5 MHz to 42 MHz.

59. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the low frequency band range comprises 5 MHz to 1002 MHz.

60. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the high frequency band range is the in-home network frequency band range of the in-home network signals.

61. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the in-home network frequency band range is greater than a frequency band range employed for CAT signals.

62. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the in-home network frequency band range comprises 1125 MHz to 1525 MHz.

63. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter comprises a first signal splitter, the entry adapter further comprising a second signal splitter, and wherein the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer is connected to the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer so as to confine transmission of in-home network signals only through the server network interface, the client network interface, the first diplexer, the second diplexer, the second signal splitter, and prevent in-home network signals from being distributed to the CATV network.

64. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter comprises a first signal splitter, the entry adapter further comprising a second signal splitter, and wherein the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer is directly connected to the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer so as to limit transmission of in-home network signals only through the server network interface, the client network interface, the first diplexer, the second diplexer, the second signal splitter, and prevent in-home network signals from being distributed to the CATV network.

65. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter comprises a first signal splitter, the entry adapter further comprising a second signal splitter, and wherein the first low frequency band terminal of the first diplexer and the second low frequency band terminal of the second diplexer are configured to confine transmission of high frequency in-home network signals only through the server network interface, the client network interface, the first diplexer, the second diplexer, the second signal splitter, and prevent high frequency in-home network signals from being distributed to the CATV network.

66. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the downstream and upstream CATV signals and the in-home network signals are both made available to each of the server network interface and the client network interface so that the subscriber device is configured to interact with not only the downstream and upstream CATV signals, but also the in-home network signals, and the first and second diplexers are configured to separate high and low frequency bands of signals so as to prevent high frequency in-home network signals from reaching the CATV network.

67. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the first splitter comprises a two-way splitter configured to distribute the downstream CATV signals to the server network interface, and a subscriber device in communication with the server network interface, with only a single reduction in signal strength caused by splitting the downstream CATV signals in the two-way splitter.

68. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter comprises a two-way splitter configured to distribute the downstream CATV signals to the server network interface, and a subscriber device in communication with the server network interface, with only a single reduction in signal strength caused by splitting the downstream CATV signals in the two-way splitter so as to allow the server network interface to store multimedia content based on the single reduction in signal strength of the downstream CATV signals distributed from the two-way splitter.

69. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter comprises a two-way splitter configured to split a CATV signal into a first CATV signal having a first reduced signal strength caused by splitting the CATV signal in the two-way splitter, and distribute the first CATV signal to the server network interface, and a subscriber device in communication with the server network interface, the entry adapter comprising a second splitter, the second splitter comprising a four-way splitter configured to split a CATV signal into a second CATV signal having a second reduced signal strength caused by splitting the CATV signal in the four-way splitter, and distribute the second CATV signal to the client network interface, and a subscriber device in communication with the client network interface, and wherein the second reduced signal strength is less than the first reduced signal strength.

70. The entry adapter of claim 32, wherein the signal splitter is configured to split a CATV signal into a first CATV signal having a first reduced signal strength caused by splitting the CATV signal in the signal splitter, and distribute the first CATV signal to the server network interface, and a subscriber device in communication with the server network interface, the entry adapter further comprising a second splitter configured to split a CATV signal into a second CATV signal having a second reduced signal strength caused by splitting the CATV signal in the second splitter, and distribute the second CATV signal to the client network interface, and a subscriber device in communication with the client network interface, and wherein the second reduced signal strength is less than the first reduced signal strength.

71. An entry adapter for distributing downstream and upstream network signals between an external network and a client device in an internal network, and distributing internal network signals in the internal network, while frequency band blocking the internal network signals from being distributed to the external network, the entry adapter comprising:

a plurality of ports configured to allow downstream and upstream network signals from an external network to communicate with an internal network that is configured to communicate with a client device; and

a two-way, downstream and upstream network communications and frequency band, internal network signal blocking device configured to allow downstream and upstream external network signals to communicate with the internal network, and at least partially frequency band block internal network signals from being communicated upstream to the external network;

wherein the two-way, downstream and upstream network communications and frequency band, internal network signal blocking device comprises;

a signal splitter configured to split a network signal into a plurality of reduced signal-strength network signal copies; and

a diplexer configured to separate network signals into a high frequency band network signal range and a low frequency band network signal range so as to allow downstream and upstream low frequency band network signals to communicate with the internal network while frequency band blocking high frequency band internal network signals from being communicated upstream to the external network;

wherein the internal network signals are in the high frequency band network signal range, and not in the low frequency band network signal range;

wherein the downstream and upstream network signals are in the low frequency band network signal range, and not in the high frequency band network signal range;

wherein the plurality of ports comprise a primary network port in communication with a server network interface of the internal network, and a secondary network port in communication with a client network interface of the internal network;

wherein the signal splitter is configured to allow a first reduced signal-strength network signal copy to be communicated to the primary network port and allow a second reduced signal-strength network signal copy to be communicated to the secondary network port, and

wherein the diplexer is configured to confine transmission of internal network signals to only through the server network interface, and block the internal network signals from being distributed to the external network.

72. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the external network comprises a cable television (CATV) network, and the internal network comprises an in-home network.

73. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the diplexer comprises a first diplexer and a second diplexer.

74. The entry adapter of claim 73, wherein the first diplexer includes a first high frequency band terminal, a first low frequency band terminal, and a first common terminal.

75. The entry adapter of claim 74, wherein the first low frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with a first splitter output terminal of the signal splitter, and the first common terminal is configured to communicate with the primary network port.

76. The entry adapter of claim 74, wherein the first diplexer is configured to communicate network signals in a high frequency band range through the first high frequency band terminal, and communicate network signals in a low frequency band range through the first low frequency band terminal.

77. The entry adapter of claim 76, wherein the second diplexer includes a second high frequency band terminal, a second low frequency band terminal, and a second common terminal, wherein the second high frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer, the second low frequency band terminal is configured to communicate with a second splitter output terminal of the signal splitter, and the second common terminal is configured to communicate with the secondary network port.

78. The entry adapter of claim 77, wherein the second diplexer is configured to communicate network signals in a high frequency band range through the second high frequency band terminal, communicate network signals in a low frequency band range through the second low frequency band terminal.

79. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the diplexer comprises a first diplexer having a first high frequency band terminal and a second diplexer having a second high frequency band terminal, and the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer is configured to communicate with the second high frequency band terminal of the second diplexer.

80. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the signal splitter and the diplexer are passive electrical components.

81. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the server network interface is configured to send and receive downstream and upstream network signals between the external network and the client device.

82. The entry adapter of claim 81, wherein the server network interface is configured to store downstream network signals and supply network signals to the client network interface based on the stored downstream network signals.

83. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the client network interface is configured to send and receive network signals from the client device.

84. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the primary network port of the plurality of ports is configured to communicate with a first common terminal of the diplexer, and the secondary network port of the plurality of ports are configured to communicate with a second common terminal of the diplexer.

85. The entry adapter of claim 84, wherein the diplexer comprises a first diplexer having the first common terminal, and a second diplexer having the second common terminal.

86. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the signal splitter comprises a first signal splitter, the plurality of ports comprises an entry port configured to be connected to the external network, and the entry adapter further comprises a second signal splitter, the second signal splitter having an input in communication with the entry port, a first terminal in communication with the diplexer, and a second terminal in communication with the primary network port.

87. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the diplexer includes a low frequency band terminal that is configured to directly communicate with an output terminal of the signal splitter.

88. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the diplexer includes a first diplexer having a first high frequency band terminal and a second diplexer having a second high frequency band terminal configured to communicate with the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer.

89. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the diplexer includes a first diplexer having a first high frequency band terminal and a second diplexer having a second high frequency band terminal configured to be directly connected to the first high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer without any intermediate components.

90. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the signal splitter comprises:

a first signal splitter having a first splitter input terminal and a plurality of first splitter output terminals; and

a second signal splitter having a second splitter input terminal and a plurality of second splitter output terminals; and

wherein the diplexer comprises;

a first diplexer having a first diplexer high frequency band terminal, a first diplexer low frequency band terminal configured to be in direct communication with one of the plurality of first splitter output terminals, and a first diplexer common terminal configured to be in direct communication with the primary network port; and

a second diplexer having a second diplexer high frequency band terminal configured to be in direct communication with the first diplexer high frequency band terminal of the first diplexer, a second diplexer low frequency band terminal configured to be in direct communication with another one of the plurality of first splitter output terminals, and a second diplexer common terminal configured to be in direct communication with the second splitter input terminal.

91. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the entry adapter is configured to eliminate a need for an internal network frequency band rejection filter, while blocking internal frequency band signals from entering the external network, and while assuring that a high strength downstream network signal will be delivered to the client device during operation of the entry adapter.

92. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the low frequency band network signal range is a cable television network (CATV) frequency range that encompasses both the upstream and downstream CATV signals.

93. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the low frequency band network signal range comprises a downstream frequency band range and an upstream frequency band range.

94. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein a total frequency band range of the internal network signals is greater than a frequency band range employed for cable television (CATV) signals.

95. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the signal splitter comprises a first signal splitter and a second signal splitter, and the diplexer comprises a first diplexer and a second diplexer.

96. The entry adapter of claim 95, wherein the first diplexer comprises a first high frequency band terminal, the second diplexer comprises a second high frequency band terminal configured to be connected to the first high frequency band terminal so as to limit transmission of high frequency band internal network signals only through the server network interface and the client network interface, and prevent the high frequency band internal network signals from being distributed to the external network.

97. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the signal splitter and diplexer are together configured to limit transmission of internal network signals only through the server network interface and the client network interface, and prevent internal network signals from being distributed to the external network.

98. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the downstream and upstream network signals and the internal network signals are both made available to each of the server network interface and the client network interface so that the client device is configured to interact with not only the downstream and upstream network signals, but also the internal network signals, and the two-way, downstream and upstream network communications and frequency band, internal network signal blocking device is configured to separate high and low frequency bands of signals so as to isolate and prevent high frequency internal network signals from reaching the external network.

99. The entry adapter of claim 71, further comprising a second splitter having an input in communication with a first leg of the signal splitter, and a first output in communication with the secondary network port, and a second leg in communication with another secondary port, wherein the second splitter is configured to split the second reduced signal-strength network signal copy into two further reduce signal-strength network copies that have a lower signal strength than a signal strength of the first reduced signal-strength network signal copy received by the primary network port.

100. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the first reduced signal-strength network signal copy is not split or amplified between the signal splitter and the primary network port.

101. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the plurality of ports comprises an entry port configured to communicate with the external network, and wherein the downstream network signals are not split more than once between the entry port and the primary network port.

102. The entry adapter of claim 71, wherein the diplexer comprises a first high frequency band terminal and a second high frequency band terminal connected to the first high frequency band terminal so as to confine the transmission of the internal network signals to only through the server network interface, and block the internal network signals from being distributed to the external network.