Cable Modems and Networking Questions

Data1232 · May 16, 2004, 07:20 AM

Hi Guys,

I recently did a check up on the current broadband scene and it seems like that getting broadband is a viable option for me right now. However, i have spent some time on the net, and even though i've gone through numerous FAQ's and guides, i still have some question pertaining to modems, and networking. First off, i'm planning on buying my own modem, and not one from the cable provider (who happens to be Comcast as they only service my area). I was wondering what i should look for in this modem, and what, if any, reccomendations you would have for this prodcut. I'm not looking to splurge here, but i do want something worth my money. I was looking at D-Link's DCM-201 modem, and it looked like a nice option, but then i was confused by another modem offered by Belkin. Franlky, aside from price, i'm not sure how to decide, and any help in this department would be great. Do different modems result in different speeds? Also since i'm going with this, i do want to network my other computer in the house wirelessly. Cabling really isn't going to work, and this is where i get very confused. I understand that the setup connection requires the internet connection and the modem. Now from here i'm unsure as how to proceed. Do i buy a wireless router, and connect it to the modem and somehow to my computer? Do i need some sort of PCI card for my computer, or does the modem plug directly into the computer? I really have no idea what to do after cable modem. If someone could point out the flow of how i would get my computer, and another hooked onto a wireless network, then i'd appreciate that a lot. I'm planning to go for the 802.11g spec, and not the ultra-fast version of that (i.e. the 108Mbps) Thanks for your help, and time.

Vampyromaniac · May 17, 2004, 04:27 AM

If you get a wireless router, then you need to get a wireless network card (preferably PCI) for each computer to be on the network.
You'd then connect your cable modem to the wireless router, and configure each computer to "connect" wirelessly to the router.
That's pretty much all there is to it, the router's instructions should explain the details.

As for cable modem suggestions, I've never bought one, so I wouldn't know.
I think they all are the same speed, if they follow the standard (I think it's called DOCSIS)
Your cable provider determines what speed you will have.

Data1232 · May 17, 2004, 04:34 AM

Thanks, i was getting confused by some diagrams mentioning hubs, and it wasn't making a lot of sense for me. Thanks for the reply

Necrosis · May 17, 2004, 04:56 AM

Definitely a PCI card for the other computer, try to get one with a wired antenna that you can move around. One important thing you must remember is you will need to be able to connect to the router via wire to set it up.

Vampyromaniac · May 17, 2004, 05:01 AM

ahh I didn't know that

**dj_stick** · May 19, 2004, 10:12 AM

hmm i could log into my router via wirelessâ€¦

germanjulian · May 19, 2004, 11:20 AM

there are wireless routers. they cost more. they are dsl line to router vie ethernet then from router wireless. I wouldnt bother with wireless. cables and ethernet are so much faster and the response time <5ms is kick ass. also do purchase a good dsl modem, I would get a ethernet dsl modem if you can from dsl. the own. I have adsl and my connection has been online for 94hours now non stop (since the modem connets to my provider and stays online all the time) so when I switch on my comp I am on the internet straight away (or allready) via ethernet and DHCP. never gonna use a usb modme again

pr0digal jenius · May 19, 2004, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Necrosis
you will need to be able to connect to the router via wire to set it up.

this shouldn't be a problem, as even wireless routers will come with an ethernet cable...

and just for the record book...if you have AOL..please don't try a wireless router (i spent 6 hours making 3 computers work over a wireless LAN with AOL....one had windows 98 1st edition, one had Windows Me, and the laptop had XP home with 8 different user accounts and they forgot their admin password.....needless to say that is my LEAST favorite tech support job I ever did...but i got $100 for it, so it's all good)...but AOL duznt like wireless routers, as you will notice by the manual's "Section for AOL users only"

Necrosis · May 20, 2004, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dj_stick
hmm i could log into my router via wirelessâ€¦

Yes you can log in but if you change something then you might not be able to get back in the router, plus you should NEVER flash a firmware for a router using a wireless connection.

Necrosis · May 20, 2004, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pr0digal jenius
this shouldn't be a problem, as even wireless routers will come with an ethernet cable...

I know. I meant that he'll need to be close to the router to set it up.

May 16, 2004, 07:20 AM	#1
Data1232 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Right. Behind. You. Posts: 180 Rep Power: 0	Cable Modems and Networking Questions Hi Guys, I recently did a check up on the current broadband scene and it seems like that getting broadband is a viable option for me right now. However, i have spent some time on the net, and even though i've gone through numerous FAQ's and guides, i still have some question pertaining to modems, and networking. First off, i'm planning on buying my own modem, and not one from the cable provider (who happens to be Comcast as they only service my area). I was wondering what i should look for in this modem, and what, if any, reccomendations you would have for this prodcut. I'm not looking to splurge here, but i do want something worth my money. I was looking at D-Link's DCM-201 modem, and it looked like a nice option, but then i was confused by another modem offered by Belkin. Franlky, aside from price, i'm not sure how to decide, and any help in this department would be great. Do different modems result in different speeds? Also since i'm going with this, i do want to network my other computer in the house wirelessly. Cabling really isn't going to work, and this is where i get very confused. I understand that the setup connection requires the internet connection and the modem. Now from here i'm unsure as how to proceed. Do i buy a wireless router, and connect it to the modem and somehow to my computer? Do i need some sort of PCI card for my computer, or does the modem plug directly into the computer? I really have no idea what to do after cable modem. If someone could point out the flow of how i would get my computer, and another hooked onto a wireless network, then i'd appreciate that a lot. I'm planning to go for the 802.11g spec, and not the ultra-fast version of that (i.e. the 108Mbps) Thanks for your help, and time. __________________ Windows XP Pro 32-bit Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 2 GB DDR2-800 eVGA 680i XFX GeForce Ultra 8800 () Creative X-Fi Gamer

May 17, 2004, 04:27 AM	#2
Vampyromaniac confutatis maledictis Join Date: May 2002 Location: somewhere dark Posts: 5,974 Rep Power: 77 System Specs	If you get a wireless router, then you need to get a wireless network card (preferably PCI) for each computer to be on the network. You'd then connect your cable modem to the wireless router, and configure each computer to "connect" wirelessly to the router. That's pretty much all there is to it, the router's instructions should explain the details. As for cable modem suggestions, I've never bought one, so I wouldn't know. I think they all are the same speed, if they follow the standard (I think it's called DOCSIS) Your cable provider determines what speed you will have. __________________ *Digitalis 3.3* Athlon 64 3000 // ASUS K8V SE Deluxe // 1024MB PC3200 (2-2-2-10 1T) ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro // 20" Dell 2005FPW (DVI) M-Audio Revo 7.1 + Philips Acoustic Edge // Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 320/16 Western Digital WD3200KS + 120/8 Seagate 7200.7 NEC ND-3550A 16x DVD±RW + Lite-On 52x24x CD-RW Antec Sonata case // 480W Antec TruePower personal bests \|\| Aq'3: 46796 \| 3D'01: 20461 \| 3D'03: 6336 \| 3D'05: 2677 \| PC'04: 4605 \| PC'02: 7691,9092,1250

May 17, 2004, 04:34 AM	Thread Starter #3
Data1232 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Right. Behind. You. Posts: 180 Rep Power: 0	Thanks, i was getting confused by some diagrams mentioning hubs, and it wasn't making a lot of sense for me. Thanks for the reply __________________ Windows XP Pro 32-bit Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 2 GB DDR2-800 eVGA 680i XFX GeForce Ultra 8800 () Creative X-Fi Gamer

May 17, 2004, 05:01 AM	#5
Vampyromaniac confutatis maledictis Join Date: May 2002 Location: somewhere dark Posts: 5,974 Rep Power: 77 System Specs	ahh I didn't know that __________________ *Digitalis 3.3* Athlon 64 3000 // ASUS K8V SE Deluxe // 1024MB PC3200 (2-2-2-10 1T) ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro // 20" Dell 2005FPW (DVI) M-Audio Revo 7.1 + Philips Acoustic Edge // Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 320/16 Western Digital WD3200KS + 120/8 Seagate 7200.7 NEC ND-3550A 16x DVD±RW + Lite-On 52x24x CD-RW Antec Sonata case // 480W Antec TruePower personal bests \|\| Aq'3: 46796 \| 3D'01: 20461 \| 3D'03: 6336 \| 3D'05: 2677 \| PC'04: 4605 \| PC'02: 7691,9092,1250

May 19, 2004, 11:20 AM	#7
germanjulian Back in London Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: London Posts: 1,797 Rep Power: 0	there are wireless routers. they cost more. they are dsl line to router vie ethernet then from router wireless. I wouldnt bother with wireless. cables and ethernet are so much faster and the response time <5ms is kick ass. also do purchase a good dsl modem, I would get a ethernet dsl modem if you can from dsl. the own. I have adsl and my connection has been online for 94hours now non stop (since the modem connets to my provider and stays online all the time) so when I switch on my comp I am on the internet straight away (or allready) via ethernet and DHCP. never gonna use a usb modme again __________________ /\|\ Asus P5W DH Deluxe, Intel C2D E6600, 2GB Corsair XMS2-6400C4 DDR2, E-VGA GeForce 7800 GT, Creative X-Fi Extreme Music, 500GB Seagate 7200.10 SATA, Lian Li PC-V1100 Aluminum Case Black, etc. http://germanjulian.com /\|\

May 17, 2004, 04:56 AM	#4
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	Definitely a PCI card for the other computer, try to get one with a wired antenna that you can move around. One important thing you must remember is you will need to be able to connect to the router via wire to set it up.