Internet Equipment

[Ol'Pal Gary]

My ATT DSL speed ranges from 1.2Mbps to 2.6Mbps which i found half-way acceptable @ $25 then they raised it to $30.

Then they lost a class action lawsuit over their slow speeds & users could apply for $3 for each month of service..

So now they've raised my DSL to $33 [makes you wonder why, huh]

Anyway i've got the chance to go 8Mbps on cable for $30 a month..

Question #1. Why don't Cable modems have extra output ports to feed more than 1 computer like DSL modems do!?

#2. What are the uses & differences of Hubs, Switches & Routers.?

#3. How secure are the wireless Routers & do they cut down on internet speeds much! If so approx. how much?

#4. We have an older Linksys Model NR 041 Network Router.
Will it work @ the 8Mbps speeds & will it work with Windows 7 [NR041 software cd is @ least 5 years old].

All Help will be appreciated!
Ol'Pal

 

[JackMDS]

What you think that is a DSL Modem is actually a combo Modem/Router, and in most case the Router part S**x.

So Cable Internet is a better solution from this perspective.

They give you a modem and you can buy your own Router.

 

[Ol'Pal Gary]

Jackmds if you didn't have a good answer for my Questions, why reply @ all & look a little foolish in the process! [there are DSL modem without routers in them]

Area Where i come from nobody gives you a cable modem..
It's $5 a month for doc sis 2.0 modem
Or $10 a month for a wireless modem
Then you choose your router/switch/hub..

We went shopping today & got more confused with N-routers. [i'm clueless also on these]

However 10 minutes ago i was checking best buy.
Found the Motorola SBG6850 Wireless, DocSis 3.0 with 10/100/1000 ethernet ports!
WoW !! I ask & they do it! $150 Ouch
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...Xtreme-Wireless-Cable-Modem-Gateway-US-EN.alt

Does anyone have answers for OP though as i'm still interested!

Ol'Pal

 

[us3rnotfound]

Ok so you go the fiscally responsible route and get the cable service for $30/month. In this likely scenario, you run to Best Buy and grab a $50 wireless router. Don't worry about the N unless you do a lot of talking between computers.

Good Luck.

 

[Ol'Pal Gary]

Ok so you go the fiscally responsible route and get the cable service for $30/month. In this likely scenario, you run to Best Buy and grab a $50 wireless router. Don't worry about the N unless you do a lot of talking between computers.

Good Luck.

See that's why i need to learn from you guys!
The store said just the opposite, "to only consider the Wireless-n routers]

 

[Emulex]

Rule of thumb: Remove switching from routers - trust me on this. slap a $14 5-8 port gigabit switch on the lan port to router - do not use the rest of the ports unless you are needing physical vlans (DD-WRT).

just trust me on this. or use a pc to route which is my 2nd recommendation. and a switch..

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Jackmds if you didn't have a good answer for my Questions, why reply @ all & look a little foolish in the process! [there are DSL modem without routers in them]

I suggest you look at Jack's title and signature before saying he looks "foolish." What he said is correct and was a direct answer to your question:

Question #1. Why don't Cable modems have extra output ports to feed more than 1 computer like DSL modems do!?

Of course there are DSL modems without switches in them, but he was answering YOUR question. Most DSL units provided by vendors do provide a built-in switch.

Area Where i come from nobody gives you a cable modem..
It's $5 a month for doc sis 2.0 modem
Or $10 a month for a wireless modem
Then you choose your router/switch/hub..

Some providers rent, others will give you the equipment. My cable provider is Brighthouse and they gave me a modem with VOIP capability. My last provider was Comcast and they charged $7 a month for the modem. In that case, Best Buy had a Linksys DOCSIS 2.0 at the time for $50 so I just went ahead and bought it rather than continue to pay Comcast rental fees.

We went shopping today & got more confused with N-routers. [i'm clueless also on these]

If you are going wireless, there is really no reason not to get N unless your budget is very tight. Keep in mind though that regardless of whether the wireless connection is G or N, your internet connection will be the bottleneck for both G and N speed connections. That is one thing the typical Best Buy sales droid won't tell you -- if your internet connection is 8 Mbps and all you use your wireless connection for is surfing the web, how would going with 160 Mbps N help you over 54 Mbps G? The answer: it won't.

As another poster stated, where N comes in handy is if you communicate with other PCs on your home LAN. For example, I have a server with DVDs and videos stored on it, and N is really a must for me to get good, reliable playback. G would not cut it for me in that application.

However 10 minutes ago i was checking best buy.
Found the Motorola SBG6850 Wireless, DocSis 3.0 with 10/100/1000 ethernet ports!
WoW !! I ask & they do it! $150 Ouch
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/U...Xtreme-Wireless-Cable-Modem-Gateway-US-EN.alt

Just make sure whatever modem you buy will be supported by your cable vendor -- that is the most important piece. Motorola is a big manufacturer so chances are, they will support it.

I may have missed this as well, but see if your cable company is currently even deploying DOCSIS 3.0 or not. If they're still below that, you could go with a DOCSIS 2.0 modem for much, much cheaper. I sold my old DOCSIS 2.0 modem a couple of months ago for less than $20.

Does anyone have answers for OP though as i'm still interested!

#2. What are the uses & differences of Hubs, Switches & Routers.?

There are many technical differences between the three, but here is a link explaining some of it:
http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/2006/router_switch_hub.asp

#3. How secure are the wireless Routers & do they cut down on internet speeds much! If so approx. how much?

As I mentioned above, your internet connection would bottleneck your wireless connection far more than your wireless connection would bottleneck the internet connection. Of course, there ARE exceptions -- let's say you have a really terrible, 1 bar connection to your router. In that case, the wireless connection might cause slower connectivity.

As far as security, just about anything can be cracked if given enough time. As long as you use WPA2 security, you'll be relatively safe.

#4. We have an older Linksys Model NR 041 Network Router.
Will it work @ the 8Mbps speeds & will it work with Windows 7 [NR041 software cd is @ least 5 years old].

Your operating system is more than likely irrelevant, as I assume this is a standlone networking device -- correct? I would suspect it would work with the 8 Mbps speed but I can't guarantee it because I wasn't able to find detailed specs with a quick Google.

 

[JackMDS]

Area Where i come from nobody gives you a cable modem..
It's $5 a month for doc sis 2.0 modem
Or $10 a month for a wireless modem

I have to apologize. Unlike you, I do not have pre-cognition and my X-rays eyes cannot see anymore through the Internet fiber the specific environment that you are at. My modem does not cost me a peony.

In forum like this, people tend to educate others Not to be a yes man to other people uneducated wishes.

Judging from the little info that is available the Best solution is.

Pay the $5 Rental for the Modem, and buy a Good Router.

I cannot help in Router buying because you did not provide any technical data on how the Network is configured and used.

However this always one of the best bet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-134-_-Product


If you have a Giga capable computer get a switch like this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833156250


Then spend sometime learing a little about Networking. The gift of gab does not help in these circumstances.

P.S. Contrasting our knowledge and understanding of Networking of any of us with the people that work at Best Buy is an Insult.

 

[Ol'Pal Gary]

Thank You very much for the kwowledge you've shared with me..
It is much appreciated....

Am very intriqued with this new Motorola SBG6850 wireless w/ethernet ports.. I willl take your advice & contact Charter cable to make sure they support it in my area..
This should be more future proof than the $50 Doc sis 2.1 modems!
As i have more problem, i'll give you guys a hoot!

Thanks Again; Ol'Pal

I suggest you look at Jack's title and signature before saying he looks "foolish." What he said is correct and was a direct answer to your question:



Of course there are DSL modems without switches in them, but he was answering YOUR question. Most DSL units provided by vendors do provide a built-in switch.



Some providers rent, others will give you the equipment. My cable provider is Brighthouse and they gave me a modem with VOIP capability. My last provider was Comcast and they charged $7 a month for the modem. In that case, Best Buy had a Linksys DOCSIS 2.0 at the time for $50 so I just went ahead and bought it rather than continue to pay Comcast rental fees.



If you are going wireless, there is really no reason not to get N unless your budget is very tight. Keep in mind though that regardless of whether the wireless connection is G or N, your internet connection will be the bottleneck for both G and N speed connections. That is one thing the typical Best Buy sales droid won't tell you -- if your internet connection is 8 Mbps and all you use your wireless connection for is surfing the web, how would going with 160 Mbps N help you over 54 Mbps G? The answer: it won't.

As another poster stated, where N comes in handy is if you communicate with other PCs on your home LAN. For example, I have a server with DVDs and videos stored on it, and N is really a must for me to get good, reliable playback. G would not cut it for me in that application.



Just make sure whatever modem you buy will be supported by your cable vendor -- that is the most important piece. Motorola is a big manufacturer so chances are, they will support it.

I may have missed this as well, but see if your cable company is currently even deploying DOCSIS 3.0 or not. If they're still below that, you could go with a DOCSIS 2.0 modem for much, much cheaper. I sold my old DOCSIS 2.0 modem a couple of months ago for less than $20.



There are many technical differences between the three, but here is a link explaining some of it:
http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/2006/router_switch_hub.asp



As I mentioned above, your internet connection would bottleneck your wireless connection far more than your wireless connection would bottleneck the internet connection. Of course, there ARE exceptions -- let's say you have a really terrible, 1 bar connection to your router. In that case, the wireless connection might cause slower connectivity.

As far as security, just about anything can be cracked if given enough time. As long as you use WPA2 security, you'll be relatively safe.



Your operating system is more than likely irrelevant, as I assume this is a standlone networking device -- correct? I would suspect it would work with the 8 Mbps speed but I can't guarantee it because I wasn't able to find detailed specs with a quick Google.

 

[Ol'Pal Gary]

Thanks Jack for the info & suggestions & hope you'll overlook my slightly sarcastic 1st reply to you!
Happy Computing Brother, Ol'Pal

 

[Ol'Pal Gary]

More Good news for all Internet Cable Modem users that have to split with a router.
As i stated above Motorola has a new Doc. Sis. 3.0 Modem/Router.
I got my new internet cable installed & explained modem i was waiting for, he said Heck we just started intalling 3.0 Modem/Routers.
So he set me up with 1 to use until my Motorola Modem/Router gets shipped..
This one is made by SMC

Again; "Ask & Yee Shall Receive"
..
...