Abstract: A bi-directional network medium translator and automatic redundant media data path switch connected between two dissimilar network media, e.g. Fiber Optic (FX) and a plurality of Twisted Pair (TX) data paths, comprising a transceiver and a clock recovery element for each medium, a multiplexer which selectively connects one of said redundant data paths according to a detected master data path failure, and a bi-directional scrambler/descrambler which receives, processes and transmits the data while in the serial data format. Thus, the apparatus according to the present invention is operable to the maximum data rates currently used, provides significantly reduced data delay and reduced lost data due to data path failures and lengthy path switchover times, and may be field-modified to a variety of different media.