cable modem/wireless router

[mandugi23]

hello, im getting a cable internet from comcast and this is my first time using cable internet so i need some help.

1. do i need to have cable line next to the computer or is there a way around it(using wireless router perhaps?)

2.do i need to do anything on the cable line itself? i heard something about splicing cable line, but i think i dont need it since i dont watch tv(so no need to have 2 lines)

3. can you guys recommend me a good cable modem/wireless router thats under 100$

thx in advance

[Ob1]

is a tech coming in to your home to set it up or are trying a self installation?

if your not going to be watching tv then you dont need a splitter, just run the line directly into the modem.

well i prefer seperates meaning one device being the modem, and one device being the router/wireless router.

i prefer renting the modem, simply because i can always return it and get the next best one out on the market without have to paying anything extra except for the monthly fee. also if it ever breaks, then i can get a new free of charge. if you buy your own then if it breaks, you have to deal with the manufacturer to get it replaced, and if its out of the warranty period then you will have to either purchase another one which cost about $70-80 or start renting the modem from them.

i like the motorola Surfboard SB5100 series
you can pick up a wireless router for about $40-50 from newegg.com i prefer Linksys routers.
if you dont need wireless then just get a regular router for about the same price again i prefer linksys products.

wireless
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124010

wired
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16833124007

if you can get the coaxial cable line close to your computer then do it and just run a cat 5 cable to your computer, its a lot easier and less of a headache then having to deal with wireless, and all the configuring that goes along with it, especially if you dont know how.

[clroberts]

If you decide to go wireless on the router, then you better lock it down to keep people from accessing your broadband. Too many people just leave their network open and other people with wireless network cards can just walk right in and steal your bandwidth. You should probably talk to some people on here that are well versed in wireless networks so you can get some good instructions on how to properly setup the network. (I don't use the wireless routers, but I know people that do) You'd probably want to limit access by MAC address of each machine you have at home that you plan on connecting to it in addition to the other security features.

[Ob1]

if you go wireless here are some things you need to do

1.change the default password on the router
2. change the default ip scheme
3. limit the amount of Ip addresses the router gives out, by default a lot them are ready to give out 50 ips to different devices (routers, acesspoints, printers, computers,etc)
4. disable the unique SSID you come up with
5. add wireless encryption to your wireless network (WEP-is the weakest, WPA-middle, WPA-2 strongest)
6. use a strong passkey that includes numbers, upper case and lower case letters, symbols, and make it at least 8 characters long
7. add MAC filtering for each wireless device you want to permit or prevent use on your wireless network.

[glc]

Get the basic tech install package from Comcast (usually FREE) and rent their modem for $3 a month. The tech will come out and put an outlet where you want it, connect the modem, and hand you a CD to finish the setup. You connect the modem to the computer with the patch cable provided and run the CD. When this is done, you can connect a router if you want and set it up. After connecting the router, power the cable modem off for a few minutes to reset the MAC.

[Sunset]

Get the basic tech install package from Comcast (usually FREE) and rent their modem for $3 a month. The tech will come out and put an outlet where you want it, connect the modem, and hand you a CD to finish the setup. You connect the modem to the computer with the patch cable provided and run the CD. When this is done, you can connect a router if you want and set it up. After connecting the router, power the cable modem off for a few minutes to reset the MAC.


Dumb question:

How, specifically, does one " reset the MAC "? I have a new Comcast cable modem, no wireless to it, which was installed today. It is a simple Motorola SB 5120 (Sufboard series_

[glc]

By powering the modem off for a couple minutes.