Im not sure if this is what im looking for. Modem help!?

Question

Ok at the moment i have a modem that only has one port for a PC to be plugged in. I want a modem that can have more then one so that i can have my laptop in at the same time.

Is this what im looking for?

http://www.broadbandgear.com.au/products/clearance/zyxel-prestige-2302r-series-voip-solution-gateway-3.html

Can someone also tell what all the specs/ features are and how i would set this up? Would i have to install it? I have no idea. I know nothing about computers.

If this isnt the right product, can you suggest any? Australian sites would be prefered.

Please dont suggest wireless routers.

Thanks!

Answer 1

what you need is a Router. It can be wireless, but does not have to be.

The Modem you have will only give out one ip address for one computer.

So you need the router to create an internal network and to supply ip addresses to multiple clients.

You will connect the modem to the router, the router gets the single IP Address and will route all traffic from attached clients through this single ip address provided by your provider.

D-Link or Linksys have some cheap and good routers.

One other, maybe cheaper way to do this is to use Network sharing. You would need a second network card in your pc. Those are available very cheap (like 5-10$).

Once installed, you can connect the Notebook to this second netowork card with a cable and configure network sharing in windows. Then your computer will act as the router. But it would also mean, that the computer needs to also run to provide access for the notebook.

Answer 2

no that just another type of single port modem, you need a router plan and simple and the reason people have suggested wireless routers is cause it has 4 ports and wireless all built in and is only 5 bucks more then a normal 4 port router. you just plug you modem into the router and then your PC and laptop into the router and your done

Answer 3

Apparently you have a DSL or CATV modem with a single ethernet port which works w. one pc.  You wish to have more than one pc connected and probably wish to share files on the LAN and share Internet connections.

You will need a router (routers need not be wireless routers).  Some routers have a built in 4 port network switch (showing 4 LAN ports along with the 1 WAN or Internet port).  If this provides sufficient LAN outlets, this integrated switch / router approach may do.  If you need more LAN outlets, purchase a LAN switch and connect the router LAN port and all pcs to the network switch.

You will use straight CAT5 cables to achieve links between router and modem, router and switch (if you have a separate switch) and pcs and switch.

Configure the router WAN port for your IP address type (most probably dynamic).  Configure the router LAN ports to proivde LAN IP addresses via DHCP.  Configure all pcs to obtain IP addresses and DNS automatically as the router manual will suggest.

There are several makers of low end household grade routers that will probably serve your needs.