"Larry W4CSC" wrote in message
...
The keyword is "obsolete". SOMEONE in an ethernet system has to be in
CONTROL, assigning IPs and controlling the movement of packets. It's
not just a broadcast medium. Again, we have the old problem of ONE
talker and a bunch of listeners, just like NMEA0183.

Again no. If all of the devices on an ethernet would only send out broadcast
packets, every device could have the same IP address. And the collision
mechanism present in every ethernet controller does the rest. So every
device is able to send data in the form of a broadcast (IP adress ends on
x.x.x.255) and every device receives that. All are equal peers. And for
low-bandwidth NMEA data this would be a perfectly feasable solution.

Of course, it will keep Meindert in work if we have extra boxes to
buy...(c;

Well, I could make a multiplexer with an ethernet connection, if you like.

Notice my note that this is for PLEASURE YACHTS made of PLASTIC AND
FIBERGLASS. How many boaters in any marina have a steel hull? Here,
I'd say it's around 1%? less?

Not every pleasure yacht is made from plastic. I have been in places where
95% of the boats were steel.

Meindert