Always used DSL now I have to go to Cable

[mendocinosummit]

I know about all the speed issues. What I am wondering about is how the modem and other accessories are different? For an example I would like to buy a Wireless modem router. Now I can't get a ADSL modem router, but what do I get. Will I have to use a cable modem and then route it?

 

[JackMDS]

Use a DSL Modem.

DSL usually authenticate with ID and PW.

MTU is 1492 Vs. Cable 1500 ( http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html ).

http://www.ezlan.net/PPPOE.html

 

[robmurphy]

In the UK the Cable modem just gives you an ethernet connection. The cable modem does DHCP, but it will only supply 1 IP address. To route it you just buy a router with an ethernet connection instead of a dsl connection. I use the netgear wgt624, and it works fine. I have never got the promised 108Meg wireless connection though so I would take that with a large bag of salt. Linksys do a similar wireless router the WTG54. Both routers have a built in 10/100 4 port switch, and provide a DHCP server.

If you already have a DSL modem/router then if you like that have a look at the alternatives from the same maker. Chances are the user interface will be similar.

Rob Murphy

 

[mendocinosummit]

So a RJ-11 port is the only thing needed for cable? I was thinking that it might have something different??

 

[sonoma1993]

Originally posted by: mendocinosummit
So a RJ-11 port is the only thing needed for cable? I was thinking that it might have something different??

what? no, cable modem uses a coaxial cable wire, which is either rg6 or rg59.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: robmurphy
In the UK the Cable modem just gives you an ethernet connection. The cable modem does DHCP, but it will only supply 1 IP address. To route it you just buy a router with an ethernet connection instead of a dsl connection. I use the netgear wgt624, and it works fine. I have never got the promised 108Meg wireless connection though so I would take that with a large bag of salt. Linksys do a similar wireless router the WTG54. Both routers have a built in 10/100 4 port switch, and provide a DHCP server.

If you already have a DSL modem/router then if you like that have a look at the alternatives from the same maker. Chances are the user interface will be similar.

Rob Murphy

You don't get 108Mbs, because your router and network cards have to support the same 108Mbs protocols. The 108Mbs speed is not a standard, thus each brand has it's own way of doing it, so if you want 108Mbs, you need to have both a Netgear router and wireless nic.

 

[Ichinisan]

I work for a local cable ISP.

DO NOT get the Linksys modem/wireless router combination device. It is absolutely awful as both a cable modem and a wireless router. It is extremely unreliable, missing BASIC features of any stand-alone wireless router, and is not supported with firmware updates from Linksys (last I checked).

STAY AWAY.

Instead, get a stand-alone wireless router to set with your cable modem. Wireless router's typically include a wired switch so that your wired computers can connect through it just as with a wired router.

Most cable providers will lease a modem to you, which may be the best option because they will replace it when damaged (thunderstorms are notorious for frying modems through the coax connection). Keep an eye out at thrift stores and deal sites for a free/nearly free modem. I paid $5 for mine to eliminate a $2 per month modem lease.

 

[Ichinisan]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Use a DSL Modem.

DSL usually authenticate with ID and PW.

MTU is 1492 Vs. Cable 1500 ( http://www.ezlan.net/Internet_Speed.html ).

http://www.ezlan.net/PPPOE.html

Most cable modem's don't require special configuration at all. This is an advantage if you ask me. Simple compatibility with game consoles, NO configuration for a brand new PC right out of the box, NO configuration with home networking equipment, etc....I would personally steer clear of a DSL modem with it's PPPoE mess. Even the DSL modems that use NAT to relieve your other devices of convoluted PPPoE setup are problematic and can conflict with common network equipment, as I have seen with Westell DSL modems and $#$%ING LINKSYS wireless routers!

 

[Ichinisan]

[don't know how this double-post happened]

 

[Ichinisan]

Originally posted by: sonoma1993

Originally posted by: mendocinosummit
So a RJ-11 port is the only thing needed for cable? I was thinking that it might have something different??

what? no, cable modem uses a coaxial cable wire, which is either rg6 or rg59.

Coax is the connection between the modem and your cable service provider. RJ-45 is the network connection between the modem and the computer, or between the modem and your home networking equipment. RJ-45 is known as "Category-5" or "cat5". It looks like a phone line but with a bigger connector. You probably know this anyway.

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: robmurphy
In the UK the Cable modem just gives you an ethernet connection. The cable modem does DHCP, but it will only supply 1 IP address. To route it you just buy a router with an ethernet connection instead of a dsl connection. I use the netgear wgt624, and it works fine. I have never got the promised 108Meg wireless connection though so I would take that with a large bag of salt. Linksys do a similar wireless router the WTG54. Both routers have a built in 10/100 4 port switch, and provide a DHCP server.

If you already have a DSL modem/router then if you like that have a look at the alternatives from the same maker. Chances are the user interface will be similar.

Rob Murphy

You don't get 108Mbs, because your router and network cards have to support the same 108Mbs protocols. The 108Mbs speed is not a standard, thus each brand has it's own way of doing it, so if you want 108Mbs, you need to have both a Netgear router and wireless nic.

It should be made clear that no residential Internet connection is that fast. The only way to take advantage of "faster" wireless is to have compliant chipsets all around (for example: a standard g or b laptop will slow everything else down) and STILL it will only improve speeds between machines on the local network, not to the Internet.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: Ichinisan
I work for a local cable ISP.

DO NOT get the Linksys modem/wireless router combination device. It is absolutely awful as both a cable modem and a wireless router. It is extremely unreliable, missing BASIC features of any stand-alone wireless router, and is not supported with firmware updates from Linksys (last I checked).

STAY AWAY.

Instead, get a stand-alone wireless router to set with your cable modem. Wireless router's typically include a wired switch so that your wired computers can connect through it just as with a wired router.

the man speaks truth. i use a cable modem and server it to my network with a firewall router, and have even yet another to serve my wireless. i like things separated.

 

[robmurphy]

My wireless router is a Netgear WGT624 and the wireless networkcard is Netgear WGT511. Netgear claims they should work togecter at 108 Mbps. These types of cards were tested when they came out and the reviewers only got the 108 Mbps on occasion. As I said you need to take claims like this with a very large sack of salt. The speed is relevant as much of the use is file sharing with other machines on the home network, connected on 100 Mbps ethernet.

The Linksys WGT54G wireless router I mentioned does not have a modem in it, its just a wireless router. After configuring both the Linksys and the Netgear I much prefer the Netgear, but that maybe because I have much more experience with the Netgear. There seem to be more people posting questions about the Linksys WGT54G and I know of several people using them. I would not buy the Netgear instead of the Linksys becasue of the promised 108 Mbps, as most of the time you will not get these speeds.

Rob Murphy