router newbie

dinkie_2

Hi

Have been reading lots of threads etc, and although am picking up more about it, am unsure what would be involved. Am on NTL cable; modem is plugged into usb. There's also an ethernet plug at the back of the modem. Dell Dimension 1100, and am not sure if I need to add a card or something into the computer? or if it's okay to buy just a router that doesn't include a modem, and plug it into the modem's ethernet plug ... and the router would plug into the computer via usb? Prefer to keep the NTL modem, but not sure if and how that would work.

Not at this point trying to network computers, just thinking about it for extra security, after reading a few of the firewall threads.

Thanks, Cat

nickmack

You've got two choices for setup if your current Cable Modem has an ethernet port. Both choices require you to have an ethernet port on your PC.

1) Keep the modem and buy a router, this might be the better option in your case. You would use Ethernet between the router and your PC not USB. You would then connect as follows:

INTERNET --> Cable Modem --> Router --> PC

2) Buy a Cable Modem/Router combined. They are fewer Cable versions that ADSL available and usually slightly higher priced than their ADSL equivalents. Again, you would use Ethernet between the router and your PC.
This setup would be as follows:

INTERNET --> Cable Modem/Router --> PC

It always better to connect via Ethernet than USB in any network setup if you have the choice. It's more stable and faster.

dinkie_2

Ni nickmack

Thanks for explaining it so clearly. The first option definitely sounds better. I'm not sure if I've got an ethernet port, so will check up on that. If I've got one, I'll definitely switch the modem now to connect via ethernet, and then look into geting a router. Much appreciate information, as I also hadn't know ethernet was a better cable connection than usb.

Many thanks, Cat

dinkie_2

I can see an ethernet connector in the back of the computer, but can I ask if a card is needed, or does the fact the connector is there mean that no extra cards need to be fitted inside the computer ... or is that a dumb question?!

Thanks, Cat

Chippy_Minton

It means your computer already has a network interface so there's no need to buy a network card.

dinkie_2

Hi chippy

Thanks for information. Just sorted a printer problem and the ethernet came up in the hardware list as needing a driver update, so have done that. Now it's asking for the cable, so that's next on the list!

Cat

dinkie_2

After doing a search for a cable, I'm going to have to ask about it, as there's so many different types and speeds, I don't know which to choose. I'm on 1mb broadband.

Or if I did go ahead and buy a router (again no idea which one, except that it be a firewall one, although I gather most of them are anyway?) would it include a cable anyway? Thinking if there is an okay budget router that is going to include cable, might be pointless buying a cable now. Saying that, have just seen a Belkin RG58 Thin Ethernet Cable 50ohm BNC 1m for a couple of pounds on Amazon but don't know if it's the right one or any good.

Many thanks, Cat

Chippy_Minton

dinkie wrote:

Or if I did go ahead and buy a router (again no idea which one, except that it be a firewall one, although I gather most of them are anyway?) would it include a cable anyway?

Yes, routers and modem/routers usually come with an Ethernet cable. Check the specs.

dinkie_2

Thanks Chippy. But am not sure what specs to check. Honestly don't know where to start. The Amazon link I copied and pasted I have no idea what it means!

Cat

T4i

You need a box standard CAT5 patch cable.

Yes, you do usualy get a CAT5 cable with a router. If you can buy a Netgear, good value for money, easier to setup and use firewall.

Look good too.

This is what I use http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00011PC88/ref=br_lf_ce_7/203-5763888-5391133

Very cheap, nothing special, but works 100%

Or http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000087H96/ref=br_lf_ce_2/203-5763888-5391133

dinkie_2

Hi T4i

Many thanks for your message and the links. They sound ideal, and one of them has a review from someone on NTL too. They're cheaper than I'd expected (always a good thing!), especially the one you use yourself. Thanks for recommendations and putting things so clearly. Much appreciate.

Regards, Cat