Setting up cable

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

So it looks like sometime around Christmas or early January for broadband, finally.  Most likely Wide Open West (WOW), they have a cable tv/internet/phone bundle that works out nicely on the bills.  So I have some questions about setting this up since I will probably do it myself to save on installation fees.  I will be hooking it to 3 computers, my new PC (when its done) which has a built in controller, my brother's laptop, which I think has a controller but I'm not sure, and another household PC, which I have a PCI ethernet card for.  So obviously I will need a router, right?  And also the modem.  Need some recommendations there, I have been told to go with Linksys, but any particular one for this setup?  I want wired, not wireless.  If someone could explain to me how to set this up both physically in terms of wiring, and also what I need to do in windows, that would be very helpful.

[KitKat]

I went with a linksys wireless G router. I got the wireless just because I may need wireless later on but for now I have 3 computers wired into it. The router was easy to setup. All I did was put in the CD that came with it and followed the instructions. After all that I had to run the NETWORK WIZZARD. Because this computer is the only one that has XP I had to let the wizzard put a file on a floppy disk. It told me to put that disk in the other computers and run the file off it. What that file did was setup the other computers. It's real easy to do.

[Kitty*{MEOW}*]

Rgr with what Kit said not to hard there just make sure u create the setup disk on the first initial setup of the network and it will set the others on the same network and your will be good to go



I have a  Motorola surfboard SB5100 Awsome Modem compatible with probably all cable companies.

Linksys for your router as thats what most of us use and can help with that brand.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

The one one older PC still runs Win ME, mine is XP home, and the other is XP pro.  Will that be a problem with the setup disk?

[KitKat]

nope, just select the option for different opperating systems.

[Kat*{MEOW}*]

As to the modem, I'm pretty sure since you are going to be using the cable service for your phone, they will either provide the modem or tell you which one you need.   It's the same modem for both your phone and internet service.  At least here in Cablevision land it is.  :)  Cablevision uses the motorola SB5120 for phone and internet service.

Of course if the phone isn't going to be VoIP through the cable company ignore the above, other than the cable company will tell you what modems they support on their service.

Where the modem is placed is going to influence where the router is placed and how the other computers are connected to it.  If the computer is being used only as a web surfer, and not a gaming rig, there is nothing wrong with a wireless connection.  Actually some of the newer wireless connections work as well as a wired connection for gaming.  One of the WingWalkers flys Pacific Fighters on his laptop, connected through a wirelss "G" card.

Read my other post to Instinct concerning the LinkSys routers.  The version 5.0 WRT54G is a known POS!  It uses different hardware and different firmware from the previous versions.  Check this thread for info http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,14638337

Can't speak to ME, but XP is a breeze to set up network wise. 

Edit to add list of serial numbers

This is the list of seriel number prefixes and version numbers on LinkSys routers.   The version 5 is known to have serious isues.  If you are looking at a LinkSys router please stay away from the version 5.

The first four digits of the serial number will indicate the packaged hardware version. If
unit is outside of the box, the version is indicated on the silver stick on the bottom
front of the router.
WRT54G
CDF0 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF1 = WRT54G v1.0
CDF2 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF3 = WRT54G v1.1
CDF5 = WRT54G v2.0
CDF7 = WRT54G v2.2
CDF8 = WRT54G v3.0
CDF9 = WRT54G v3.1
CDFA = WRT54G v4.0
CDFB = WRT54G v5.0 VxWorks based not compatible

WRT54GS
CGN0 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN1 = WRT54GS v1.0
CGN2 = WRT54GS v1.1
CGN3 = WRT54GS v2.0
CGN4 = WRT54GS v2.1
CGN5 = WRT54GS v3.0
CGN6 = WRT54GS v4.0

                           

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

I'm reconsidering wireless, or rather my family is.  Which is a pain because I just bought the non-wireless version of my new motherboard.  So I will need an add in card.  I have seen some PCI and USB solutions out there.  I'm assuming a PCI solution would be faster?  What stats should I look for?  I know Asus makes one.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Wireless is a good thing.  The important thing to realize is the security.  I recommend Linksys for both PCI and Router.  What you will need is of course the wireless PCI (USB can have some limits) for each computer.  The nice thing about Linksys is it sets it self up.  Just follow the instructions.  If you read those instructions carefully you will note that there is something you need to do BEFORE you hook up the wireless.  So do read the instructions.  It is pretty much painless.
Security can be set after you set up your router to the cable modem and have a working connection.   WEP 64 bit is fine in most all cases.  You may need to know the MAC addresses for each PCI card or Ethernet card you have.  To find this look on the card itself or go to Start Run type in CMD.  At the curser type ipconfig /all (or /a for a list of commands) and note the Physical Address.  This will need to be noted for each computer.  This is something like 00-07-0b-16-a6-11.  Each PCI wireless card and Ethernet card have their own unique MAC address.  MAC has nothing to do with Macintosh.
You will have access to your router configuration once it is all working.  The IP to your router is something like 192.168.1.1.  That is the default.  The first 3 octaves must not be changed.  You can however change the last octave which will raise your security from Linksys default.  I can help you with that after you are setup.

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Looks like the WRT54G is the router to get, I see alot of people using it.  Whats the difference between the WRT54G and WRT54GS?  Also what are some good PCI adapters to get for this router?  I probably need only 1 desktop adapter, the other computers in the house probably already have adapters.

[KitKat]

Not sure on the difference between the routers but I have the 54G. It's a nice router and very easy to set up. I use a d-link network adapter in one of my computers and it seems to work fairly well.

[Kat*{MEOW}*]

Be real careful with that WRT-54G.  If it's version 5 or above it's a piece of cr*p.

See this thread: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15046719

This thread: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15175610

This thread: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15184353

That should be enough reading to help you make an informed decision.

[KitKat]

If you are referring to the software version I have 2.3

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Well first.  DSL has always had an issue with a router.  No matter what brand of router.  It has something to do with NAT and it's association to a network with internet.   I am not clear on what the issues are as I don't have the links I had read a lot about a while back.  Looks like several issues from idiots to legit issues.  v5 must be a bad version but I am sure they do or will have a fix.  As for NetGear, it has been 4 years since I dealt with one and I had major issues.  I am sure they have came a long way.

[THEKATZ*{MEOW}*]

Looks like the WRT54G is the router to get, I see alot of people using it.  Whats the difference between the WRT54G and WRT54GS?  Also what are some good PCI adapters to get for this router?  I probably need only 1 desktop adapter, the other computers in the house probably already have adapters.

The S, its SpeedBoost.  A trademark and supposedly a longer range faster link or something.  I really don't think there is a big benefit.  Maybe for a large area with pool and tennis courts as for the range and less loss of connection speed the further you go.  You want an automatic or manual transmission for that roadster?  That is what it boils down to.
At any rate, your connection speed with wireless is faster than your connection to the Internet.

[Kat*{MEOW}*]

Not refering to software version.  Refering to the version of the HARDWARE.  Read the links, they will explain it.