LinuxQuestions.org - [SOLVED] What router to get for a charter (charter.com) modem?

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What router to get for a charter (charter.com) modem?

I want to run two computers off my charter (charter.com) modem, but it has only one RJ45 port on it.
Do I get a router? What kind of a router?
Thanks, Hearthstone.

Yes, depends on the capabilities desired and how much you want to spend. Whether you want gigabit speed or dual band wireless. Take a look at Linksys, Netgear and Belkin.

As a complete answer you don't have to have a physical router. You could add a second ethernet adapter to one computer and configure it to forward traffic to the second computer. A physical router is basically plug and play.

You will need to cycle power to the MODEM when you connect the router so it will recognize the new device.

michaelk,
do you mean that I just connect the second computer to the other one with an Ethernet cable? A crossover Ethernet cable?
Configure??
Thanks, Hearthstone.

Yes, If you computer/ethernet adapter is <8 years or so a crossover cable is not required.

I just counted them--there is only one port on each of them, both being laptops.

Could I do it (to get on the Internet on both of them at the same time) using USB?

Thanks, Hearthstone.

Most computers only have host USB controllers so to connect to laptops together you need a USB data transfer cable which essentially creates a network between the computers. The Belkin cable used to be supported but I do not know what is currently available. You would configure the computers in a similar fashion if using two ethernet adapters.

There are also USB ethernet adapters available which work fairly well. I have an old Linksys model.

Cheap wireless router linked below, if your laptop's wireless works. Also has 5 RJ-45 ports to connect up to 4 devices if you need to be connected via network cable. (you can connect more than that, but you'd need a network switch)
https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Wirel...ireless+router

Hi,

If you do not need a router then a switch could be used to expand available Ethernet ports. Look at; http://www.newegg.com/Switches/SubCategory/ID-30

If you plan on expanding your LAN then I would use a router with wireless & port expansion since the cost of a quality switch is about the same as a consumer grade SOHO router. You could place the router on the modem port then use it to expand the LAN ports plus have wireless. You could always add a switch to the router to expand the wired Ethernet LAN.

I do like NewEgg and have good experiences with their hardware. I am not affiliated with NewEgg but a satisfied customer.

Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!
:hattip:

Do I need a router, or do I need a switch?
I want to get on the Internet with both computers independently.
What do I need? Switch, or a router?
Thanks, Hearthstone.

A router, cable ISPs typically only allow one dynamically assigned IP address.

Router > Netgear > best buy > 4 port > $35.00

Quote:

Originally Posted by hearthstone (Post 5583283)

Do I need a router, or do I need a switch?
I want to get on the Internet with both computers independently.
What do I need? Switch, or a router?
Thanks, Hearthstone.

Cheap residential routers have built-in switches, often they are combo of router + switch + wireless AP.

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelk (Post 5583286)

A router, cable ISPs typically only allow one dynamically assigned IP address.

I had a DSL modem with single port and no problems using a router/switch to expand the ports on a LAN.

I found this;

Quote:

From http://www.duxcw.com/faq/ics/exprouter.htm Old but still useful.

Because a broadband router/switch conceptually expands a single port on a MODEM to serve several PCs connected to it, there may be a tendency to think that another router is the way to expand a PC port on a broadband router to provide service to still more PCs. Such is not the case. PC ports on an Ethernet switch are usually expanded by ganging Ethernet switches; i.e., an Ethernet switch is the best way to add more PC ports to a broadband router. An Ethernet hub can be used as well.

In a pinch, many broadband routers can also be used to expand the PC ports on another router, but there can be configuration problems (and frustration) in trying to do so, it may not be as fast, and routers generally cost more than hubs and switches.

I think that most Modems with single ports can use a router/switch when properly configured. I personally use a Frontier DSL modem now that will allow the use of a router/switch and expansion of the LAN by adding additional switches wired to the router/switch.

Here arre some diagrams that some would find useful;

Quote:

From http://training.customcomm.net/wp-co...ityDiagram.pdf

06.28.2010_5:00 pm_version 15 Switch
What is a Switch?
A network device that increases the number of Ethernet out ports on a router
To connect multiple devices to the internet, a router must be used

Adding a switch to a modem without a router does not work

Identifying a Switch

A switch can be used with a router or a gateway, but it will not provide multiple Ethernet out ports if connected directly to a
modem

Generally, the word “Switch” will be printed on the device

The switch is connected to a router or gateway’s Ethernet out port using an Ethernet cable

A switch is provided by DISH Network when the customer’s router or gateway does not have enough open Ethernet out ports

So I think the best way would be using a router/switch to expand a LAN. Addition expansion can be done by adding a switch to the LAN. Maybe my misunderstanding was using switch when I mean router/switch.

Definition of a router is;

Quote:

06.28.2010_5:00 pm_version 15
What is a Router?
A network device connected to a modem that splits the internet from a single Ethernet out port to multiple ports

If a customer only has a modem, a router is required

If a there are no open Ethernet out ports on a router, a switch needs to be installed to increase the number of open ports
Identifying a Router
There are 2 types of routers: Wireless (WiFi) and Wired (Non-WiFi)

Generally, the word “Router” will be printed on the device

Both types of routers have Ethernet out ports that provide Ethernet cable connections to other equipment

Typically, a router will have 5 ports (1 in and 4 out)

My Gig LAN uses wireless routers/switches to expand between floors. Wired from floor to floor, which can be hard for older brick homes. No wire raceways to make it simple since my home has additions updated when no one was thinking about installing wired LAN for computer/electronic usage. Having back issues prevents me from getting into the crawl spaces all the time. When I go in it must be planned and methodically done so I am not crawling in & out.

Posting in the mourning can be hazardous when you do not have the caffeine to kick in and wake one up. On my second cup now so the cob webs are clearing from the night out.

"Beer is good, an People are crazy" Great song and motto!
Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!
:hattip:

I just chatted with charter.com--they suggested that I purchase another, additional service to be able to use two computers independently accessing the Internet.
Go and configure, thanks, Hearthstone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hearthstone (Post 5583319)

I just chatted with charter.com--they suggested that I purchase another, additional service to be able to use two computers independently accessing the Internet.

And three services in case you buy another device that needs to connect to the internet. Don't forget your smart TV sets, every one of them needs a separate service from Charter. I'd let them know they are out of competition because other service providers are capable to provide fast enough connection thorough a single connection to connect many clients.