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December 1st, 2005 13:00
Config and advice for Cable Modem/ wireless router- HELP!
Hi everyone. I just strarted using a Motorola SB5120 Surfboard Cable Modem (it has the choice of the either a USB or Ethernet Connection and a connect/disconnect button) for my cable internet connection (Comcast). Per the advice of the guys at Best Buy, I hooked the cable modem up via the ethernet (over the USB). Was this a good idea? Now I am looking into getting a Wireless Router (preferrably a Motorola one- unless you have a better suggestion) for 2 reasons...
1. I have a Nintendo DS (WiFi) that I'd like to use via the router (through my computer for now)
2. My girlfriend (who lives with me) is planning on purchasing her own computer soon, so I'm going to eventually need a router for her anyway.
My questions are:
1. Did I do the right thing by connecting the Cable Modem via the ethernet over the USB?
2. I'd like to purchase a Wireless Router soon. What's a good Motorola one? It'll be on my computer for the time being (for the Nintendo DS connection), but eventually it'll go onto her (as yet unknown) computer).
3. If I hook up the Wireless Router to my computer, should I use the USB or Ethernet connection. Should I, in turn, switch my Cable Modem Ethernet Connection?
4. Any advice, in generally, would be appreciated.
Sorry I know these are Newbie questions, but I am totally lost as far as this stuff goes. Thanks in advance.
MY SPECS: Dell Dimension 4700, 2 GB RAM, Hard drive 141 GB Capacity (90% used), good amount of USB connections available, NIC Card is Intel R (100) (whatever came standard w/ the system. Motorola SB 5120 Cable Modem hooked up via Ethernet, SoundBlaster Live 24-Bit Sound, Nvidea GE Force 6800 GT Video Card, Standard 56 K Modem still installed.
Any other questions please ask! Thank you so much in advance!
Jeff
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_Paladin
795 Posts
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December 1st, 2005 13:00
2. Stick with a name brand like Linksys, D-Link, Netgear or Belkin. The Linksys WRT54G is a classic example. Stick with plain 802.11g, there's no need for Super G or any of the other proprietary high speed technologies, especially since you have the Nintendo DS, which won't support those anyway. The router is not "on" a PC. It is an independent networking device to which PCs attach (either wired or wireless) in order to share an internet connection as peers. PCs in this case can be actual computers, or the Nintendo DS, or print servers, or other networking devices.
3. You will continue to use the ethernet connection. The cable modem will connect to the router's WAN (sometimes labeled Internet) port using an ethernet cable, usually supplied with the router. The PCs will attach to the router either by an ethernet cable to one of the router's 4 LAN ports, or wirelessly. The router can handle 4 wired PCs and an additional 250 wireless. There should be no need to make any configuration changes on the PC, provided it is configured to Obtain an IP Address Automatically. Most likely it is. When connecting the router, turn off all the equipment for 5 minutes. Then turn on only the modem and wait a few minutes. Connect the router to the modem and turn it on. Finally connect the PCs to the router and turn them on. This process resets the network, especially the modem.
Herbo13
52 Posts
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December 1st, 2005 18:00
Thank you for the advice, Paladin. You really cleared things up. I just wanted to ask something, tho-
1. Would I be able to use a Linksys Wireless Router w/ my Motorola Cable Modem and have no conflictions? In other words, does it matter if the 2 products are made by different companies- Or should I stick w/ only Motorola routers since I have a Motorola modem already?
2. Also, I am going to use the router for the Nintendo DS only for now, but in the future I'll probably also be using it to hook up 1 or 2 (at most) other computers. Keeping the future computers in mind, should I still go with the Linksys router you are suggesting? I mean is this Super G stuff all that important when only linking a Nintendo DS and 2 computers tops? Or should I just stick to the 802.11g? I babbled, sorry... summed up, what's the best wireless router for a link from my computer to a Nintendo DS and 2 personal computers (maximum)?
Thank you so much for your help!
Jeff
_Paladin
795 Posts
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December 1st, 2005 19:00
Herbo13,
1. IMO, Motorola is coming to the home router arena late. The four manufacturers I mentioned have been doing home and small business networking gear much longer, with proven track records. Any router from those four (or really any router) connects to the modem using a standard ethernet cable and transmits data using the industry standard TCP/IP protocol. There will be no conflicts.
2. I found this site at nintendowifi.com. It indicates the Nintendo DS only transmits at 1-2mbps. At that rate, even an 802.11b router (maximum nominal rate 11mbps) would be sufficient. That site also indicates the router needs to be configured for mixed mode, ie., 802.11b and 802.11g - g only mode will not work with the Nintendo DS. Super G (some call it Speedboost) is useful in a local area network where the computers will be transferring large amounts of data between themselves. Super G also requires that both the router and the wireless network adapters be from the same manufacturer. The Super G technology is proprietary to the manufacturer. Each has its own implementation. From what I have read, the Nintendo DS is an 802.11b device and therefore would not be able to take advantage of Super G. Bottom line: any current model 802.11g (maximum nominal rate 54mbps) router running in mixed mode will wirk with the Nintendo DS.
NemesisDB
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7.9K Posts
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December 2nd, 2005 01:00
Herbo13
52 Posts
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December 2nd, 2005 14:00
OK, Thanks for the input, guys. You've helped me out tremendously! =) Guess I'll go out and do some research and pick out the right router for the situation! Thanks Again- I really appreciate your assistance! =)
Jeff
wd5fdl
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December 15th, 2005 12:00