The Alpha Server Network Interconnect (Alpha Server) is a low-cost, tabletop device with its own power supply. It is a concentrator that allows up to eight Ethernet- compatible devices (not terminals) to be grouped together. Device performance remains constant whether connected to the Ethernet through a DELNI, an Alpha Server transceiver, or a Alpha Server transceiver. The DELNI can be configured three ways: stand-alone, hierarchical stand-alone, and connected. A switch an the Alpha Server allows selection of either stand-alone or connected mode of operation. A connected Alpha Server LAN reduces the cost of multiple connections to the Ethernet coaxial cable. It also allows more than 100 devices to be connected to a single 500-meter coaxial cable segment. The Alpha Server can be installed by customers, reducing installation cost.