How do I hook up a router?

Question

I have a computer on a cable modem and I'm gettting a roommate tomorrow who will be bringing his computer also and wants to use my internet connection. I'm not interested in going wireless as the two rooms are right next to each other, so how do I run another cable line into the room where his computer is so he can have internet access? (please break it down for me, I'm a little computer ignorant)

Answer 1

Since you want to go wired, get yourself a Linksys BEFSR41.
It is one of the most universally usable wired routers and it has 4 Ethernet (network) outputs on it.
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Once you have the router in hand, connect the output of the cable modem to the WAN input on the router.
Then using CAT5 cables of the length you need, hook each computer up to one of the Ethernet connections. You'll find the CAT5 cables to be MUCH cheaper on the internet than locally.
The routers are set up with DHCP, which means that they automatically set up an individual address for each computer connected, so that responses to computer requests (on the Internet, or in the local network) are routed back to the proper computer. You can also use this setup to hook up a VoIP phone.
The setup is handled by the router automatically once, after you hook up all the cables, you plug in the power cord.
I am sure you know that you have to have an Ethernet connection on each computer to be hooked up. In your case it would be where you thus far connected the modem output.
Any questions, let me know.
Oh, I also have a fantastic VoIP phone provider who for $21.95/month gives unlimited free call to Canada, USA and 17 countries in Western Europe...
BTW, the recommendations for wireless in some of the other answers, A) make you buy receivers for all computers, and B) allow people who drive by use your internet and local network connection. This can be slowed with encryption but can be a real hassle.

Answer 2

You could just use a hub, but a router will work to.

The router should have 5 ports on the back. One marked "Internet" and 4 marked 1 2 3 4... It could be a bit different, but that's the gist...

Plug the ethernet cable from your cable modem into the port marked "Internet". Plug a cable into the back of the computer and plug the other end into one of the numbered ports, and you should be good to go.

Make sure you router's power cord is plugged in.

Answer 3

well, physically run the wire from 1 room to the other. You'll need a long enough Ethernet cord, found at your local computer store. If you have a router already, plug in the Cable modem Ethernet into the WAN port on the router. Then, plug your computer's Ethernet cord into any open slots (typically labeled 1-4). Then plug in your buddy's to a different available slot.

If your router came with a CD, put that in and it should walk you through the setup. (DO THIS BEFORE CONNECTING ANYTHING!!!)

Answer 4

I am not sure if your router is wireless already or not. If not and you want to go wireless then you will have to get a wireless router which hooks up to your cable modem via ethernet cable and by going wireless you must also have a wireless adaptor for each pc to be able to communicate wirelessly with your router. Now there is a simpler option since your room is next to one another and providing you are allowed to drill a small hole so that an ethernet cable usually blue or yellow (the one that goes from your router to the back of pc), can go through and hook up one cable to your pc and another one through the hole to your room mate's pc. You can talk to your internet provider and tell them you are thinking of going wireless as they may have special offer to their existing or new customers by throwing in a wireless router. good luck

Answer 5

The modem plugs into the router.

Each computer will need an ethernet cable coming out of the router.

BP

Answer 6

Plus the main internet wire (the one coming out of the cable modem) into the router, usually in the plug marked WAN, then plug in your line and the line to the other person's room in the plugs marked 1 and 2.

Answer 7

1)you buy a router.
2)You unhook the connection from your cable modem to your computer, and plug it into the port that looks different from all other ports on your router.
3) you then take two separate Cat3 cables and plug one end into any of the 4 ports on your router and the other end into your computers.
4)Turn off power to your cable modem wait a few second and turn power back on and wait until Modem is initialized.
5) Turn power off on your router wait a few seconds and turn power back on.
5) Turn both computers on and you are good to go.

Answer 8

Run the ethernet cable from your modem to the internet port on your router. Then run another ethernet cable from one port to each computer. Call your cable company up and have them register the MAC address of your router. They will know what you are talking about. That's it.

Answer 9

connect Modem to the WAN port of the router
connect computer to the LAN port 1 of the router.
Check the LED's on the modem and the router.
===Modem’s power light is solid; and light on WAN and LAN port 1 in the router is on


Plug the RJ45 jack on LAN port at the back of your PC then connect the other end of that cable to the LAN port on your router, usually ports 1-4.


fire it up
run the cd the router came with

Answer 10

well your cable modem hooks up to a cable outlet and your router, your router should have lots of ports for LAN wires ether net wires, hook this up to both computers

very simple to wire up yet setting up to get all the computer's online could be a pian in the *** or go very smooth