# Broadband Questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 30, 2004, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812 "2004-04-30T05:26:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/1 "2004-04-30T05:26:45Z")
So I finally bit the bullet and have a date set for the Comcast guy to hook me up with broadband. Now if I read the document correctly, the cable modem will connect through my ehernet port. That’d be fine if I the ethernet port wasn’t currently occupied with a crossover cable connecting it to another computer. So what can I do to have both broadband and LAN access? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/2 "2004-04-30T05:33:47Z")
Use a Linksys or Netgear router. 1. The incoming cable connects to the cable modem. 2. The cable modem connects to the router. 3. The router connects to each computer. 4. The kneebone is connected to the thigh bone … Both computers will have their own broadband connection, and you will have your own protected LAN. Just connect it all up after the cable guy leaves. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/3 "2004-04-30T05:34:06Z")
> [@Duderdude2](#): > > So what can I do to have both broadband and LAN access? Thanks. Simple. Go out and buy a hub (if your ISP will assign you two IP addresses) or a router (if they’ll only supply one). I’d recommend a router in either case, but a hub will be slightly cheaper. Next, ditch that crossover cable and but two lengths of patch cable (whatever length you need to connect both computers to the hub/router. Finally, hook up the Ethernet cable from your cable modem to your hub/router (any port on the hub, the WAN port on the router). Now you’ll have Internet access from both computers, as well as a LAN. ---
**Author:** ![Toddly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@Toddly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toddly)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/4 "2004-04-30T06:03:45Z")
You are going to love cable broadband.I would get the router and your all set. They are easy to install and configure these days. ---
**Author:** ![xvxdarkknightxvx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/34f0e0/32.png) [@xvxdarkknightxvx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xvxdarkknightxvx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/5 "2004-04-30T08:11:45Z")
Another (but not recommended method) would be to install two NICs on your computer. One would connect to the other computer. The other NIC would connect to the cable modem. ---
**Author:** ![cstamets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@cstamets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cstamets)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/6 "2004-04-30T10:25:33Z")
> [@xvxdarkknightxvx](#): > > Another (but not recommended method) would be to install two NICs on your computer. One would connect to the other computer. The other NIC would connect to the cable modem. I did this for several years without problems. Routers were more expensive then, and I already had a spare NIC, so it made sense. With routers as cheap as they are now, I’d recommend getting a router. Using two NICs will also require additional software, if the computer with the two NICs isn’t running Windows XP. XP does have the Internet Connection Sharing stuff built-in. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/7 "2004-04-30T11:47:13Z")
Most cable/DSL ‘modems’ along w/ a eithernet port have an usb port too. You could use that instead, by far your cheapest way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/8 "2004-04-30T18:04:01Z")
Thanks a lot everyone. I think I’ll go the router route (so to speak). Does anyone have any recommendations for a fairly cheap, but quality router (I don’t know if brand name matters)? Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/9 "2004-04-30T18:09:24Z")
> [@Duderdude2](#): > > Thanks a lot everyone. I think I’ll go the router route (so to speak). > > Does anyone have any recommendations for a fairly cheap, but quality router (I don’t know if brand name matters)? Thanks again. [Linksys](http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=34&scid=29&prid=561) [Netgear](http://www.netgear.com/products/prod_details.php?prodID=131&view=) BTW, I use the former. ---
**Author:** ![Baron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9de0a6/32.png) [@Baron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/10 "2004-04-30T18:10:51Z")
Use a Linksys BEFSR41. They are cheap (about $60), relatively secure, and very easy to set up. I’ve never had to do so much as reboot mine (but I have had to reset the cable modem several times). ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/11 "2004-04-30T18:15:39Z")
Another BEFSR41 owner checking in. The thing has performed flawlessly since I bought it a few years ago. Couldn’t be happier with it. ---
**Author:** ![xvxdarkknightxvx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/34f0e0/32.png) [@xvxdarkknightxvx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xvxdarkknightxvx)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/12 "2004-04-30T18:24:12Z")
USB modems are far faultier than ethernet modems, so I wouldn’t suggest getting one of those. The router is by far the safest way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/13 "2004-05-01T07:41:19Z")
Well, I was looking at user reviews for the Linksys BEFSR41 (as recommended by a few users above), and was startled to see quite a few negative reactions. Some claimed their connection speeds were slowed down, others complained of it just being a pain in the ass. Here’s the URL for the reviews I found: [http://www.pricegrabber.com/search\_getprod.php/masterid=220898/search=Linksys%20BEFSR41](http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=220898/search=Linksys%2520BEFSR41) All I need the router to do is connect my two computers and Xbox to the net. I’m willing to pay what it takes for a quality, reliable (and hopefully easy to install) router. Any other suggestions aside from the aforementioned Linksys would be very helpful. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/14 "2004-05-01T12:23:48Z")
Another Linksys user checking in. Mine has always been reliable, and I haven’t had any problems with it. If you want to compare, other brands used commonly are Netgear and D-Link. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/15 "2004-05-01T15:07:29Z")
Since we’ve reached the “suggestions/recommendations” phase, another option to consider is the [Network Everywhere NR041](http://www.networkeverywhere.com/products/nr041.asp). Small, simple design (I’m a minimalist), inexpensive (\< USD 40), easy setup (automatically copies the single-PC configuration to the router). It’s actually a rebranded LinkSys in a plainer package. ---
**Author:** ![xvxdarkknightxvx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/34f0e0/32.png) [@xvxdarkknightxvx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xvxdarkknightxvx)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/16 "2004-05-01T16:24:49Z")
I have a D-Link router that I’m happy with. It works just as well as a Linksys router, and I believe the D-Link was cheaper (slightly). However, Linksys is much more popular, so when you need help with your router, a Linksys will have far more resources to help out. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/17 "2004-05-02T07:02:50Z")
I also use the Linksys BEFSR41. Honestly couldn’t be easier and never a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Alereon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Alereon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alereon)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/18 "2004-05-02T10:36:23Z")
For an extra $10 a month, Comcast will increase your speeds by 50% (to 4500/384) and supply you with a wireless router and wireless cards for up to 5 computers. This may be your best bet. They’re also currently running a 50% off installation promotion. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2004, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/broadband-questions/242812/19 "2004-05-02T10:56:40Z")
Also keep in mind that a router and a hub (also called a switch) are not the same thing. A router directs information between the Internet and the computers on your network, while a hub is more or less just a way to hook a bunch of cables together. (I’m simplifying things a lot here). These days routers usually include hub functions built into the same piece of hardware, but you want to make sure. If it says something like “includes 4 Ethernet ports” or “built-in 4-port switch” you’re ok.