B&G radar and MFD and ethernet cable and router

[raingolfer]

I'm installing our new Halo20+, and running the cable. The installation manual for the Zeus3 MFD refers to connecting various network devices using an "Ethernet expansion device." Can my existing router serve that purpose? For example can I plug the RJ45 cable coming from the dome into the router, and then run another cable from the router to the Zeus3 display at the helm?

I don't have other devices on the ethernet network now (all the other nav equipment is running on the NMEA 2000 network), so if I can't use the router "in the middle" I'll need to plan to extend the cable to the helm.

[serendipitous]

Raingolfer,

I am considering a similar setup. Did you try this? Does it work?

Thanks in advance!

[smac999]

If you have a radar and mfd you don’t need a hub. Just join them together…

[lateral]

Except I have a Zeus2 MFD with only one ethernet port so I need a network expander
(NEP) to do this. Or, disconnect the WiFi go free.

[toolbar]

I have the cables from both my Halo radar and the Zeus3 plugged into a router. This also gives internet connectivity to the Zeus (if activated).

Paul

[Rumrace]

Yes just plug it in. Ca7 wire you can buy the ends separately. My Speakers are Cad7. I can access radar for raspberry pi as it’s plugged into the same hub.

[smac999]

Originally Posted by lateral

Except I have a Zeus2 MFD with only one ethernet port so I need a network expander
(NEP) to do this. Or, disconnect the WiFi go free.

Doesn’t the go free have 2 ports? Just plug the radar and plotter into the go free.

[raingolfer]

Originally Posted by serendipitous

Raingolfer,

I am considering a similar setup. Did you try this? Does it work?

Thanks in advance!

I ended up running the radar CAT5 cable all the way to the Zeus MFD. But per the post by "toolbar" it does appear to work.

[silvercreek]

I also have a Halo 20+ wired into a consumer grade standard home router going to my dual Zeus 3S's with standard Cat 5 cabling. Works great! I disabled the built-in Zeus wifi to save a modest amount of power, but every bit helps.

[lateral]

Originally Posted by smac999

Doesn’t the go free have 2 ports? Just plug the radar and plotter into the go free.

Additionally, do not use the GoFree WiFi-1 as a switch. The WiFi-1 is designed to ‘boot’ after other units connected to the system and as such may cause messages like “No Radar” to be shown on your MFD at start-up.

Saw above so didn’t bother to try!
Also: reef magnets 1000mb/s requirement.
Halo 20+ is languishing in the wardrobe!
More pressing installs. ��*��
https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ee-228674.html

[lateral]

From “Abhor”
Navico now recommend to only use one of the WiFi-1 Ethernet ports, using both might cause network instabilities.
https://www.thehulltruth.com/marine-...free-wifi.html

[kaz911]

All Simrad/B&G/Lowrance ethernet is standard Ethernet with a different connector.

You can run most routers and switches using a "converter cable" or put a RJ45 on one of the Navico cables.

Some time ago it could be an issue if the Simrad/B&G main device (plotter) did not issue the IP addresses but I think that has been fixed later so you can run your own main router without issues.

The one thing that can be an issue with 3rd party ethernet switches and routers is many are very "open" to ingest noise from VHF transmitters. So you could see network dropouts when transmitting on VHF or AIS doing AIS transmitting. Most people might not notice but TX/RX Ethernet errors would climb in the B&G status page. The B&G external WiFi IF have VHF noise filter built in. TX/RX errors can impact radar images or sonar images.

As NMEA OneNet is FINALLY on its way after 8-10 years of NMEA procrastinating - Ethernet Boating will become more "normal" and devices with good noise suppression and POE (Power Over Ethernet) will become readily available.

[crayiii]

We tried plugging or NEP into our consumer grade router instead of the Go Free and it worked just fine for the B&G system.

The issue was that when the radar was transmitting it would flood the router with (I think) UDP packets and other devices (Vesper Cortex) would drop off the network.

[SoonerSailor]

Originally Posted by crayiii

We tried plugging or NEP into our consumer grade router instead of the Go Free and it worked just fine for the B&G system.

The issue was that when the radar was transmitting it would flood the router with (I think) UDP packets and other devices (Vesper Cortex) would drop off the network.

Interesting. The Navico radar does transmit UDP over Ethernet, and my Vesper XB8000 will also drop off the network. I’ve communicated with Vesper, but They do not seem to have a solution.

[slacker]

To deal with the flood of packets from the radar you can create a separate vlan for the radar. Look for something like a NetGear GS308t