3 ms·

The modem is now waterproof. I'm guessing that an Ethernet port isn't easy to make waterproof.

by 762236 5y ago

deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
SigmundA 5y ago
These kind of connectors are pretty common: https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Ethernet-Network-Socket-Connector/dp/B07SJQ46YG https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Ethernet-Network-Socket-Co... Here is an outdoor router that uses them: https://www.peplink.com/products/max-single-cellular-br1-ip-67-router/ https://www.peplink.com/products/max-single-cellular-br1-ip-... There is also the M12 standard. That parts really not a problem.
- dogma1138 5y ago
  The connector is actually the easier thing to weather proof the issues I’ve seen were always due to an inappropriately selected cable. Even without damage to the cable sleeve you can have moisture creeping up the inner core through condensation at that point capillary action takes over and your cable becomes a hose.
  - dragontamer 5y ago
    Once upon a time I thought electronics were complicated. Now as an Adult, I realize that roofs, cables, screws and nails are some of the most complicated subjects in the world.
zamadatix 5y ago
IP68 (completely dust tight, continuous immersion under 3ft of water without ill effects) plastic screw cap adapters for Ethernet are common. The new modem is "IP54 rated, configured for indoor use" (hard for dust to enter but dust can cause malfunction, low pressure water sprays for 5 minutes should not cause malfunction) i.e. "don't actually stick it outside but if you hit it a few times with your plant spray bottle it should be fine"
dboreham 5y ago
I think the article may be confused (or...wrong). The picture clearly shows a non-weatherproof RJ-45 cable plugging into the WiFi "modem". They also mix up "dish" with "WiFi router" several times. The dish has nothing to do with WiFi. My best guess is that Starlink has cost-reduced the setup by integrating the PoE injector / PSU with the router (which previously was a regular router they packaged in a fancy case). Dropping the wired Ethernet port saves some cost since most users don't use wired networking today. I'm skeptical that they have made the "modem" into an ODU (outdoor unit) because putting anything outdoor that you don't absolutely have to is a bad plan, and ... why would you want your WiFi AP to be outside the building envelope? Also a bad idea. Where they may be "pulling an Apple" is that with the old design you could directly peer with the dish from your own router (and not use the Starlink-supplied router at all). It sounds like this arrangement won't be possible with the new design, at least not without buying the Ethernet adaptor.

The modem is now waterproof. I'm guessing that an Ethernet port isn't easy to make waterproof.

by 762236 5y ago

The modem is now waterproof. I'm guessing that an Ethernet port isn't easy to make waterproof.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

SigmundA 5y ago

These kind of connectors are pretty common: https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Ethernet-Network-Socket-Connector/dp/B07SJQ46YG https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Ethernet-Network-Socket-Co... Here is an outdoor router that uses them: https://www.peplink.com/products/max-single-cellular-br1-ip-67-router/ https://www.peplink.com/products/max-single-cellular-br1-ip-... There is also the M12 standard. That parts really not a problem.

dogma1138 5y ago
The connector is actually the easier thing to weather proof the issues I’ve seen were always due to an inappropriately selected cable. Even without damage to the cable sleeve you can have moisture creeping up the inner core through condensation at that point capillary action takes over and your cable becomes a hose.
- dragontamer 5y ago
  Once upon a time I thought electronics were complicated. Now as an Adult, I realize that roofs, cables, screws and nails are some of the most complicated subjects in the world.

zamadatix 5y ago

IP68 (completely dust tight, continuous immersion under 3ft of water without ill effects) plastic screw cap adapters for Ethernet are common. The new modem is "IP54 rated, configured for indoor use" (hard for dust to enter but dust can cause malfunction, low pressure water sprays for 5 minutes should not cause malfunction) i.e. "don't actually stick it outside but if you hit it a few times with your plant spray bottle it should be fine"

dboreham 5y ago

I think the article may be confused (or...wrong). The picture clearly shows a non-weatherproof RJ-45 cable plugging into the WiFi "modem". They also mix up "dish" with "WiFi router" several times. The dish has nothing to do with WiFi. My best guess is that Starlink has cost-reduced the setup by integrating the PoE injector / PSU with the router (which previously was a regular router they packaged in a fancy case). Dropping the wired Ethernet port saves some cost since most users don't use wired networking today. I'm skeptical that they have made the "modem" into an ODU (outdoor unit) because putting anything outdoor that you don't absolutely have to is a bad plan, and ... why would you want your WiFi AP to be outside the building envelope? Also a bad idea. Where they may be "pulling an Apple" is that with the old design you could directly peer with the dish from your own router (and not use the Starlink-supplied router at all). It sounds like this arrangement won't be possible with the new design, at least not without buying the Ethernet adaptor.