So I just bought a Linksys router. Right now, it’s working great, as my posting on the Internet may indicate. However, I’m curious about a couple things. During the set-up process, it asked whether it should “Obtain an IP Address Automatically” or have me type in the IP manually in the event it’s a static address… In my case, I’m not sure which I am (I presume static, as I’m on cable), but I stuck with the “automatic” option regardless. I’m just wondering if my choice makes a difference, or if it will affect my performance in any way.
And now for an even more naïve question, will the router affect my Internet speed at all? In other words, will it run any slower than if my computer were connected to the cable e modem itself? Thanks!
Not all cable IP’s are static. Most likely it’s dynamic. You made the right choice. If you had chosen static and the ip changed, you’d cease to have internet til you changed it. As for running slower, I’d say not really… at least not any amount that you’d notice. The only time you might notice a difference is if other computers were connected (in your house) and using a boatload of bandwidth at the same time. But this has nothing to do with the router itself.
Unless you have been assigned a static IP address by your cable provider (an extra cost option) you should allow the router to “Obtain an IP address automatically”. As far as performance degradation, from a purely technical point of view there will be an extremely miniscule addition to processing time due to passing through one extra device, but you would have trouble measuring the extra delay even with very sensitive instruments, let alone the naked eye.