Ethernet Surge Protection for Music Servers

[masterlu]

I was talking to a good friend today & the topic of Ethernet Surge Protection came up. Do you use one and if so, what brand?

So far, I am leaning towards the "Black Box"

http://www.blackbox.com/catalog/Detail.aspx?cid=425,1606,1607&mid=2003

[Victor]

I never even thought of a surge protector for my Ethernet. Sounds like a good idea though. If there is a thunder storm when I'm home or I know one is coming, I just unplug my music server and Ethernet hub.

About once every 3 months my Ethernet/wireless hub locks up and I need to power it down and reboot everything. I wonder if a Ethernet surge protector would take care of this. :scratch2:

[willyrover]

If the equipment at both ends of the Ethernet cable is surge protected, I don't see why an Ethernet surge protector would be needed. What would the source of the surge be?

I would definitely put one on the Telephone line/Cable connection to your HS Modem on the other hand since it has a connection to the outside.

[JFR0317]

I have a whole house surge protector for incoming electrical, cable, and telephone, and I also have a UPS device, with surge protection also, that includes in and out connections for the ethernet feed from my cable modem to my router. Downstream of the router, I too am not sure why further protection is needed.

[Vesuv1us]

Sounds sorta hoaxy to me, even for a POE setup. I cant think of a single ISP that has any surge protection on any of their networking gear (except for the AC line - but not the CAT6/FDDI/SDDI/Fiber links...)

[surf123]

I have an OnQ data surge protector and telephone surge protector that are located within a structured wiring box in my basement. I've had a DSL, a T-1, and now finally a Business Cable connection. I've never had the data surge fail, but did have the telephone surge blow two weeks ago. It's $50 to replace it, but it probably did save a fairly expensive multi-function device.

My gut feeling is that if you have DSL you are at more of risk than you are with Cable or Fiber (like FIOS). I say this because the DSL signal shares the same pair of wires as the phone line and therefore is susceptible to the same surges as the telephone line.

On the upside you do have a cable modem (or DSL modem) and a router (hopefully) or a hub between your MS750 and the incoming signal, so that's at least two things to shield the MS750 from a direct hit. Considering how much an MS750 costs it certainly could not hurt anything to put a data (ethernet) surge on your incoming line and maybe even double up with one connected directly to the MS750. You've also go to consider that it will cost you at least $50 to mail in your MS750 for repair should such an event happen.

[masterlu]

Courtesy of mchydro:

http://cim.pennnet.com/display_article/200129/27/ARTCL/none/none/1/Now-more-than-ever,-surge-protection-a-must/

[Negotiableterms]

Gentlemen, this is a fine thread, and it will attract even more discussion in General Off-Topic, where it belongs. After all, the MS-750 and 300 are derived from Escient's products, and of course, there are a LOT more music servers out there.

I invite all of you to venture forth into the wilds of AK and experience the broader world!