PC and Mac in house, how do we share COx cable internet if modem only has one hole?

Question

We used to do it when my sister lived here. But she left and i never knew what type of connection she set up..

But basically. It's a cable modem with only one hole to plug in an ethernet cable to.

We have a PC NOtebook computer and a Mac.. Is there a little thing you could purchase to plug into the ethernet port in the modem and then this thing has 2 or more ethernet ports?

Is this what you would call a network hub??? and does it work for what i need?

thanks

Answer 1

I would use either a layer 2 switch if you want to use the built in DHCP server of the cable modem. Or the other option is to purchase a router (wireless for future scalability of your LAN)...

Answer 2

Well this is a very simple procedure. First purchase a ROUTER. i reccomend a DLink, you can buy a WIFI or wired router your choice (you can also make a wifi router wired). So now you have a router. i will go over the wired router procedure since the wireless setup varies from router to router. For 2 computers: connect an ethernet cable into your cable modems port then connect the other end into the WAN or INTERNET port on the back of the router, then connect 2 more ethernet cables to the empty ethernet cable ports in the back of the router, then connect the other ends to each ethernet port on each computer. then voila, both the MAC and Windows should automatically find a net connection. but if you have 5 or more computers (like me) then you need to split them up between a Router and a switch or 2 routers or a router and a network hub (this layout is complex so i'll leave it to that).

Answer 3

get a instant router. i propose Linksys. they are low in value and they have an pretty solid tech help. that way you should use your laptop everywhere contained in the homestead.