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Two Computers Hardwired- 1 Cable Modem?

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  1. #1
    sledge started this thread.
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    Two Computers Hardwired- 1 Cable Modem?

    Ok, I have my desktop PC in my office on a dedicated hard line.
    Wifi is in the house but signal is weak (can't even stream Youtube) out in the office over wifi.

    In the "old days" cable modems had more than 1 port on them, I remember my brother in law coming over and he could plug his laptop in and we would both be rocking off the same modem- both hard wired (My desktop and his laptop.)

    New modem only has 1 Ethernet port on it. I would like to run my laptop and Desktop PC off this one modem (hard wired for both)

    Would also be nice if when I bring my work laptop home I could just unplug personal laptop off hardwired connection and run my work Laptop off that connection.

    Any tips?
    I'm so into scrapping.. When my Steel Toe Boots Wear out, I cut the Steel out of them and recycle the Toe!

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  3. #2
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    https://www.google.com/search?q=ethe...nt=firefox-b-1

    One of the first on the list is $19.79
    The 5-port 10/100 Desktop Unmanaged Switch enables the instant connection of up to five Ethernet devices at speeds up to 100 Mbps. Its compact size and durable metal case allow for easy placement anywhere. It is backed by a lifetime warranty.
    https://www.neweggbusiness.com/Produ...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Highlights in red >> Is the 2nd one cheaper AND twice as fast??

    Or the next one is $5.00 cheaper at $14.99
    The DES-105 5 Port 10/100 Unmanaged Metal Desktop Switch provides a quick, easy and economical way to add high speed networking to home offices, small and medium businesses. With data transfer speeds of up to 200 Mbps the DES-105 is ideal for fast file transfers. It provides five ports for easy expansion of your network for connecting printers, scanners, storage, and backup devices to any network.
    Access Denied
    Last edited by JohnC4X4; 06-08-2018 at 07:21 AM.

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  5. #3
    sledge started this thread.
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    Thanks John! Going to do some reading!

  6. #4
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    Or you could set up multiple access points int he house. If I understand right..

    It's how I do it. One modem/router combo, an a second router as the second access point. You can hardwire in if needed or use it for a stronger wi-fi signal. It's what I do.

    Cost - $0 as I have plenty of modem and routers lying around. They can be had cheap at a thrift store for under 5 bucks even.

    If I misread your post, apologies. I'll go back to being retired.



    Sirscrapalot - Not dead.

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  8. #5
    sledge started this thread.
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    Well the wifi is in the house. We have 2 drops from the cable company- 1 modem inside house and wifi in the house, and 1 dedicated drop thus 1 modem to the garage (office)
    This will sound absurd, but my house is clad in aluminum siding, which then creates some "anti-alien, tinfoil hat" type force-field in which wifi signals do not want to penetrate?!
    When I got mad and wanted to cut cable all together I bought two antennas for the house tv's they worked AWESOME if I hooked them to the TV and then held them out the window! Pull them inside- nada!

    I've read that if you go- modem, to switch, to dual PC's via Ethernet cable, that the cable company will shut it down as somehow now you are not allowed to split the signal from the modem. It will ping back to the cable company and they know it (probably the reason now that you have to have those stupid little boxes on EACH tv to watch tv) they now scramble service without the converter box.. truly maddening!

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    We have Charter/Spectrum internet. No cable TV or phone service, just internet. They brought 1 coax into the house that connects to a small modem. It has one output that connects to my Linksys router which has wireless plus 6 ports on the back for hardwire connections. So far there are 4 computers using the hardwire connections and about 15 wireless devices that connect to my router. I've never had a problem with the ISP and all of the different devices that connect to the router. It might be different if you're trying to connect multiple TV's.

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  11. #7
    Sirscrapalot's Avatar
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    I don't use switches. No clue on the ISP being upset over splitting it. I "split" mine also with the access points, never had my ISP give a hoot. Only time they care if my bill isn't paid or if one is downloading from file sharing sites.

    Access points work for me. Modem is in kitchen. My office is at other end. I have one router set up near my office, and another by the master bedroom at the other end. I no longer have signal problems(lest not as bad as before) nor does the wife. I'm one of those folks who likes being hard wired in. Gaming, streaming, sucks if you lose your wifi signal or you have a weak one. My PC is hard wired, but my kindle and phone do awesome with the signal via the access points.

    Anyhow...good luck.

    Oh an I know all about being encased in metal. I now own two trailers, an live in one.

    Back to sand castles, and coolers.

    Sirscrapalot - Fe Fi Fo Fum...bloody hell I'm outta rum.

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  13. #8
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    Bleh double post...my apologies.

    Like Jimi I had Charter. Had being the key word, they don't do service where I am now oddly enough. Haha.

    Never had an issue with a ISP/Cable company being upset over splitting your internet signal. If your a business then yes I can see them getting upset. For average user it wouldn't make much sense. Since most allow you to bring your own router/modem. I know mine does, an I know Charter does. No clue on Cox, or Comcast these days though. I know comast did when I was in arizona. I currently use CenturyLink but that's cause I have no other choices. LOL.

    If your ISP (general your, not just Sledge) doesn't allow you to bring your own equipment you should look into another in my opinion. I'm not going to pay someone a rental fee if I don't have to. Call me cheap but whatever.

    As always...YMMMV.

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  14. #9
    sledge started this thread.
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    I own both my modems (not paying some dang rental fee after they nail me as hard as they do already)
    I do have Comcrap err Comcast.

    Hoping this should be a fairly simple fix- one Ethernet line in and multiple lines out just to add a Laptop to an existing Desktop set-up. What was odd was that I initially had just taken the line that connected to my desktop, plugged that ethernet cable into the laptop and I couldn't get a connection at all. Thought "that is odd" plugged it back into my desktop- worked fine again. Wondered if the modem said "wait a minute- different PC- you'll need to update it with comcast" That seems to be how evil Comcast has been as of late. I should be able to do what I want with the service I am paying for- my modem, my equipment, but I don't think Comcrap see's it that way!

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    This is the same router I'm using at home right now. The video shows you how to plug everything up but it doesn't show how to configure the router. No worries, there are plenty of videos on youtube that can show you how to set up a router. When I set mine up it took me a few days to get it working but everything been working since 2012.
    I've even set up restriction access for my 3 kids based on the MAC addresses for each device that connects to the router. It only takes a few minutes to login to the router and shut them down if the need occurs.


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  17. #11
    sledge started this thread.
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    Update:
    Ok so I had a D-link 16 DSS 16+ laying around. Doing some testing.
    Modem Ethernet to DSS
    Ethernet to Desktop- OK
    Ethernet to Laptop- Not working. Apparently the laptop Networking connection isn't working (hardware issue.) Tried to enable and it won't even though on a troubleshoot it says it is fine- nothing.
    Since I have a number of desktops in-house for wiping hard drives, I am now testing with one of those.

    Only oddity is that my modem which usually shows a Blue Blinking "activity" light is now red- connections seem to work, but don't think it is 100% at this point. I'll keep you all posted. May have to reset the modem??

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    I originally had the same problem when I tried to connect a switch directly to the cable modem.

    Most residential ISPs only offer a single IP address to their customers. When you connect a switch to your cable modem each device connected to the switch attempts to get an IP address directly from your ISP. One device will get an IP and the rest will be left without.

    When you connect a router between the modem and the switch the router gets the 1 IP address from your ISP and creates a new network with its own private pool of IP addresses that all of your devices can connect to.

  19. #13
    sledge started this thread.
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    Looks like I may need the router. The Laptop- I was able to get the connectivity working (in a way) I could find the laptop on a search from the desktop, but it wouldn't allow it to connect to the home group. I still have internet access on Desktop and cannot seem to get connectivity on the laptop. Defaults to Wifi, and can't get a hard line LAN connection. GRRR.

    It isn't that big of a deal, but with a "switch" they SAY you should be able to plug and go.. yeah.. well we know that is some bull honky now don't we!

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    If you unplug your desktop pc will your laptop work if you plug it in?

  21. #15
    sledge started this thread.
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimicrk View Post
    If you unplug your desktop pc will your laptop work if you plug it in?
    I tried that first, and it did not, but I have dinked around with some of the laptop settings so I may try that again.

    My goodness.. I'm REALLY good at tearing apart computers.. but this is a pain in de arse! HA!

  22. #16
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    Any luck?

  23. #17
    sledge started this thread.
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    Got to buck up and buy a router me thinks. Didn't plug in the laptop direct. Probably ought to do that huh?!

  24. #18
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    Sledge, a switch was not the way, a router is the way that you will get the plug and play aspect. you might have to do some setting changes on the router but there is no need to have the switch if you are only doing less than 4 computers. Don't waste your money on a 10/100 router, get the gigabit type, comcrap should be suppling the gigabit service and hopefully your modem will allow it.

    Your problem with the signal strength, when I had them, their equipment was terrible, could not get wifi unless I was in the same room, added my own access points and no problem out in the backyard. So you could get away with 2 access points bridged, one at a window in the house, the other in the garage by a window. That would allow you to get rid of one of your drops. If you want, I might have some cisco AP's and POE injected power sources to power them. I could send them.
    Cleaning up the e-waste one company at a time

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  26. #19
    sledge started this thread.
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    Ok, turned off Wifi, plugged directly into laptop from modem (pulled line from desktop and placed into Laptop)
    Connectivity says "Unidentified network- No Internet Access"



    Called Comcast- no dice, went through a bunch of troubleshooting. I think it is the laptop. Oh well, it was a used "pickup" laptop. Maybe I'd have better luck with not being a cheap-o and buying a new one! HA!

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    Sledge - Thank you for the updates on your progress. I am following along because I am operating out of two locations and want to have the flexibility at each place. By the way, as a history buff I love your avatar. Lets hope we never get to that point again.
    Give back more to this world than we take.

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