Cable Modem Newbie

[Ekim]

We just got cable modems in my area. FINALLY!! I have three computers in my home, two of which I want to connect to the cable. Connect@home is the provider and the 3Com #3CR29220 is the modem they offer. It has a USB & NIC connections. Can I connect one computer the USB and the other to the NIC or do I need a switch? If I need a switch, can I get a modem gateway w/ switch? Is this a modem and switch or is it an add on to the cable modem? Any comments or links to articles would be appreciated. Thanks.

[WillysNut]

As far as I know, the connection on the back of your cable modem will allow either USB _or_ Ethernet. I don't think there are dual internal connections. ...but...I could be wrong. You could always try right!

Many people (who have the dough) use cable modem router/switch combos from Linksys (http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=23).

That takes your incomming DHCP or static address from your service provider and then spoof's IP address for the 4 ports ethernet ports.

If you don't have dough!! Like me..most of the time! You can use any simple hub or basic switch, a crossover cable (or standard if the switch/hub has a built in x-over port) and a nifty little feature built into windows called ICS (internet connection sharring).

My ISP only offers 3 DHCP addresses. I run 4 boxes, so I had to go to ICS until I get cash for a router. You will need two NIC cards in one box. One to connect to the cable modem and a second to connect to the switch or hub.

You can read more about ICS, and how to set it up based on which OS your running here (http://search.microsoft.com/default.asp?boolean=ALL&nq=NEW&so=RECCNT&ig=01&ig=02&ig=03&ig=04&ig=05&ig=06&ig=07&ig=08&ig=09&ig=10&i=00&i=01&i=02&i=03&i=04&i=05&i=06&i=07&i=08&i=09&qu=How%20to%20use%20ICS&siteid=us).

Hope this helps! Post back with additional questions!

[blebs99]

You would need a hub or router. I would recommend using the ethernet connection and not the USB. You'd also have to have 2 NIC's, one for each computer.

[klosters64a]

If you are paying your cable ISP for two static IP addresses, a simple autosensing 10/100 hub, with one NIC in each box will work fine. A Switch[ed hub] is better, but of little use with only two boxes on your LAN--as long as one box isn't used for online gaming 24/7! Then a Switch will be better than a simple hub when both boxes need to be used simultaneously. If your cable provider charges a lot for two, rather than just the standard one static IP, you do have the choice of using a LAN router, instead.

Your cable modem might have basic router capability. I think it's doubtful that a modem supplied by a cable provider will have this feature! Cable ISP's make money when a customer requires extra static IP addresses--why would they provide a way to bypass this requirement, "right out of the box?"

Hoping you enjoy your new bandwidth. If you've had only dial-up before, a cable "loop" with few users on it is a mindblaster!