what do i need to splice into cable?

[Burning Phoenix]

I've been using AOL with 56k modem for a while now and going to move to a new place where i can tap into my friends cable connection for the internent. I don't have an ethernet card and wonder what is a good brand to use. What else do i need to tap into his line?

[Amedeo602]

Stealing cable is illegal as hell....

what's more I don't even know if that's possible. I was told by the person installing my cable internet (I didn't confirm it and don't intend to) that if I tried to split the line it wouldn't work (don't see why not, but that's what he said).


If you live close to him, get a router with NAT and just bury the cat5 :)

[Burning Phoenix]

to be more specific my wife is kicking me outthis weekend and my friend has already a cable internet hockup. I've moving in with him for a short time and need to tap into his line which is the same apartment (no reason to bury anything).

[Burning Phoenix]

just read the other post about setting up home network which is what i'm going to do.
So i guess i need a cable router and a network card. Is network card the same as a ethernet card? Are all brands about the same so cheap cards are as good as more expensive ones? Can I use one of my USB ports instead of installing another card? If so is the USB port fast enough? What should i look for in a router?

[Amedeo602]

oh ok, makes much more sense now! (it sux ur gettin kicked out btw)

ethernet card=network interface card=NIC

For my network, I use generic Encore cards (with a realtek chip). But good NICs (like 3com) can be found for around $30 so if you have the extra $20 go for the good ones. As far as a router here are some things to look for:

NAT
DHCP
Firewall
Integrated Switch


One router that has all of these is the D-link DI-804. I got it from Amazon awhile back for a little under $80. Let me see if I can find that link I posted awhile back...

[Amedeo602]

http://forums.overclockers.ws/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=36228

There's a guide I wrote there (I think you said you read it, but oh well--I like the publicity :) )


And here's a link to amazon where you can get the DI-804 router:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005ML8V/qid=999802385/sr=1-1/ref=sc_e_1/104-5417686-3061541

If you ask around, different people recommend different equipment. But I like this one: cheap, full of features, and it works :)

[Amedeo602]

They're offering a $30 rebate if you buy one before Sept. 30!

Headed to Cyber Deals right now . . .

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by Burning Phoenix
to be more specific my wife is kicking me outthis weekend and my friend has already a cable internet hockup. I've moving in with him for a short time and need to tap into his line which is the same apartment (no reason to bury anything).

It's cheaper than a router if you want to go through the trouble of configuring one machine to be a proxy. The bad part is that one machine needs 2 NICs and needs to be on if you want the internet for the other comp.

[Burning Phoenix]

I just got back home and thanks for the info. I do all my shopping on EBAY and probably will look for the names you mentioned here.
Thanks again!

[Burning Phoenix]

My friends computer has a external cable modem which connects to his PC via an USB port. Is there anyway to split into his USB connection?

[Amedeo602]

Originally posted by Burning Phoenix
My friends computer has a external cable modem which connects to his PC via an USB port. Is there anyway to split into his USB connection?

bah, i hate usb networking

there's not any way that i know of. the best thing to do here would be to set one computer up as a proxy server ( www.analogx.com has a prog that can do this)

are you sure there's no RJ45 port on the cable modem? Mine has both USB and ethernet (guess which one i use :) )