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Need explination of/help choosing a cable router/modem, please

G

gump47371

Senior member
I am looking at getting cable internet in the next couple of weeks, and dont know what to buy, really, as far as a modem goes. I am wanting a router, if I understand this right, not really an expert on it, because I want to hook up one and sometimes two computers on the connection/network. I am looking at this or this. I am thinking the second one, but I don't know for sure about this stuff, as I have never messed with it before.

Any help would be appreciated, thank you.

 
Linksys makes decent stuff for home use. Either of those looks fine but it looks like the only real advantage in the BEFSX41 in VPN. If you need a VPN go for it. If not the other is fine.

A few questions/comments?

Be sure that your cable co will allow you to buy your own cable modem. Some get bitchy about this. How much do you want to invest in a cable modem? You can usually rent them from the cable co for a few bucks a month.

Do you realize you will still need a router to be able to share your internet connection?
http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=23&prid=20
is a decent one. It has NAT (sharing internet) and DHCP. They are pretty simple to set up...
 
Well first off the two links you sent are two different items. The first is the cable modem, the second is the cable router. You will need both.
 
By the way my setup is a Motorola Surfboard 4100 and the linksys cable router. I like it and have never had any problems. Ffmcobalt's first link is to the Surfboard 4200 which is the newer model of mine. Linksys is a good brand though.
 
Ok, a few more questions to show I am new at this.

#1, a statement, yes, I can buy my own, checked today, or I can buy one from them for $130, or rent one for $15 a month. Didn't take me long to do that math, I think I will buy one.

#2, What does VPN stand for?

#3, Just wondering, jbritt, what is the difference between the one I picked, and you? I am not saying mine is better, as I know little about them, just wondering.

#4, Is there a unit I can buy that will act as a router/modem all in one, and if so, are they worth the price/are they reliable.

I really appreciate the help from everyone.

 
I just went through all of this about 3 months ago. I am connected to Comcast.net for cable, and it has been literally perfect with no downtime or problems. We have an all new fiberoptic network into our 'hood, and it works well.

Before the installation, I did a lot of research and queried some of the Comcast techs. They install any of several modems, but they recommend Motorola, Toshiba, and RCA. As for the modem - they advised avoiding LinkSys. I decided to let them install the modem and I would just rent it for $5 a month and then maybe get a better one next year.

They put in an RCA and it has been great. I got a LinkSys 4 port NAT router and then have my three computers connected to it. They are all on and there are no problems.
 
Grump,
The reason I choose the other one is because, in a quick comparison, the BEFSX41 is a better model with more options but they are not likely things you will use. For example it supports VPN. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Basically, from a different computer than your own, you can set up a virtual network with your home pc. It would be as if the remote computer was physically connected to your home network. This has a lot of advantages if it is something that you would use, for work etc. I have never used LinkSys?s VPN (or their cable modems) and can not attest to whether it is good or easy to set up. I didn?t look to see what the price difference was between these two. If it?s not much it may be worth it to throw down a few extra bucks for future expandability.

If it is $15 to rent (I pay $5) you should buy. I rent a Motorola from Comcast and it is great. I don?t know how much they are but if the model suggested earlier is in your price range I would buy it over the LinkSys. Corky-g?s cable guys didn?t like LinkSys so? Maybe they aren't so good.
 
Computer has been down the last couple of days, just wanted to thank everyone that gave their input. Still not sure what I am going to get, because the cable company in my area shows on their site that they don't support the Motorola SB4200, and I can't find the SB4100 hardly anywhere, so I am going to call them and see if maybe the list hasn't been updated, and maybe they do support the 4200.

Anyone have a better price spotted on a 4200 than $74 that I found on Pricewatch? If so, please drop me a PM, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks again to everyone for their opinions, also, if anyone has anything to add, I am listening.

Thanks,
Gump
 
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