Hello. I really do not know anything about networking so forgive my ignorance, but here is my questions...

we have an office that was hooked up to a DSL modem which then connected to a Switch that controlled the office network (there are three computers and then several printers, a fax, scanner etc all connected).

Once we swapped the DSL modem for the Cable modem we were able to get internet access, but were not able to see any of our network. (Must say that they did not change our Network settings and Cableone will not provide specified IP adresses to manually install).

Cableone says that they will trouble shoot with me but that i will have to disconnect everything. I am hesitant to undo all the networking "Stuff" since I do not know how to get it back together and am not sure Cableone would really be able to help me with that end of things.

since it is a switch and not a router, i am under the impression that I will have to manually update IP info to the network. Is that right? Also, since we just have the modem and switch does that mean we are less safe in terms of firewall protection? the Cableone guy was able to see everything in our system.

Any advise is much appreciated.

Thank you,

Vanessa

The information you have provided is very vague but it sounds like you are getting leases from the cable modem/router that do not correspond with your current network settings. Note the cable has a router else multiple boxes would not be able to access the net. In order to help you need to supply more info. The cable company should supply a basic handbook detailing the network settings required.
You should not be any less secure on cable than you were with dsl. The normal firewall applications should be applied at box level.

YOU say the system is up and running. So YOU need to change the settings manually. Start one device at a time. Set all the devices up for YOUR network. Then after they all get online properly, configure the firewall. Each one of YOUR operating systems can setup a separate firewall. Keep the networking numbers consistent and the passwords different for advantages of protection from to the big bad internet. If YOU decide to trust the technicians at YOUR cable provider, remember that the phone line is YOUR worry, not the people YOU talk with. After all the help YOU receive, YOU can change the settings for maximum security protection. Unless, YOU finally get a static IP. Then YOU should, IMO, change YOUR gateway and YOUR INET Address. Good luck.

thank you for all your help. the transfer is complete. i appreciate your input.