Cabling - Network, RayNet, SeaTalk

SeaTalk ng
Raymarine's own cable system for use in NMEA 2000 networks. The design offers two advantages. Firstly, the contact collar is kept on the product, which enables a smaller cable diameter which facilitates installation. More importantly, the cable can contain a sixth wire which enables backwards compatibility with SeaTalk1 equipment. Products with SeaTalkng connectors can be used in NMEA 2000 networks using Devicenet cables via single connection adapters and conversely equipment with Devicenet connectors can be used in NMEA 2000 networks using SeaTalkng cables via single connection adapters.

Ethernet (CAT5, SeaTalk HS, RayNet, WiFi)
An address-based data packet network with high speeds (10/100 / 1,000 Mb) which was originally developed for the computer industry and which is introduced in the marine industry. Ethernet networks are designed as a star topology. Systems with three or more nodes require a hub, router or switch to facilitate all point-to-point connections. A NMEA standard for transmitting NMEA 2000 messages using an Ethernet protocol is being developed which will be called OneNet.

Cat5 w / RJ45
The standard cable / connector for the computer industry which is very low cost but alternatives such as SeaTalkHS and RayNet are preferred connectors in the marine environment.

SeaTalkHS
Raymarine's first generation Ethernet connector which consisted of putting a waterproof collar around an RJ45 connector.

RayNet
Raymarine's current generation system that replaces the RJ45 connector with a waterproof vibration tolerant twist pin connector designed for the marine environment.

WiFi
A wireless system that does not use any wires that provides flexible installations at low cost but is not as robust as wired systems. WiFi is perfect for connections that aren't important to accessories.