Broadband forum: Splitting a Cable internet connection

You need a cable modem with an Ethernet connection and a device called a router.

You connect the cable modem with the in-port (WAN-port) of the router and the outgoing ports (LAN-ports) of the router with the Ethernet-connection of the PC's. The usual routers on the consumer market support 4 PC's wired. A wireless router suppports a much larger number of PC's that have a wireless Ethernet receiver (laptops come with it, generally, for desktops you need to buy them separately).

The additional advantage is that the PC's are connected in a home network, so it's possible to share printers and files, if you like. Although this might be difficult between a Mac and a Windows PC, as you have.

It depends on the connection speed of the cable and what the PC's do with it if you'll see a downfall in service. You can't look high-res streaming video (2 Mb/s) on 2 PC's simultaneously if you've got a 2 MB/s connection, of course. But just browsing and mailing and listening to 96 kB/s streaming audio will go very well with 2 PC's and a 2 Mb/s broadband.

You'll find a wired router for some $50 to $60 in any computershop. It's a very common setup. Every shop assistant worth the title will sell you the right equipment and the right cables or cards.

Hope this helps.


Kees

You should already have the modem. It is typically installed by the ISP when you purchase their service. Motorola Surfboard or some such modem.

That's the Ethernet cable, fully digital. You cannot split any kind of a digital connection.

can i run 2 modems off the one isp line

say i have one computer downstairs which has the modem, can i split the internet connection from the main box and run a separate modem to another computer upstairs

(i currently have wireless router but its very bad connection)

i must run it through the original modem via a router
i currently have a wireless router, will that do the job?
and is it just cat-5 wire?

the main idea for a router for home users is so that they can have more than one pc being on the internet ..

along with that having some sort of home network.

In my own case... I have 2 printers and 2 major device towers on my network...neither hooked to pc's ...

And another pc that is wirelessly hooked up to router too.

Point, there is no real reason to split cables when u can inexpensivley go router based..