OT: 2 computers, 1 cable hispeed line, 2 modems

[Shelly F]

Friend has 2 computers, does not want to install wireless and cannot
run a cat5 cable between them.
She has cable hi speed internet via 1 cable modem to 1 computer.
And, he has a coax line in the vicinity of the 2nd computer.

Question: Is it possible to add a cable modem at the second computer
so that she would have one coax coming into the house with 2 cable
modems connected to each side of a coax cable splitter? And pay for
just one hispeed line as if she had a modem plus router?

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

Why doesn`t your friend just pick up a standard Cable/DSL router, simple 4
port type, you don`t need to buy the wireless type. Also, if you want to
use another cable modem, you will have to pay for the second connection I
beleive. Your friend would need to contact the provider on that. But using
a standard 4 port router can connect both computers to it, the router to the
cable modem. Plus the router can act as a hardware firewall adding
protection to your friends network.

Jeff

 

[DJ Borell]

Question: Is it possible to add a cable modem at the second computer
so that she would have one coax coming into the house with 2 cable
modems connected to each side of a coax cable splitter? And pay for
just one hispeed line as if she had a modem plus router?

This is less a question of "Can it be done?" and more a question of "Will
the cable company let you do it?" The answer to *that* question is "no".

 

[jeffrey]

Hi,

Usually the cable company will let you, but you change your service contract
to have two cable modems on one cable. When I had cable internet in Tokyo,
they had several plans, single modem for one room use, multiple modems for
several rooms. This was before home routers started to become more common.
Another solution is to see if the provider issues multiport cable modems,
but I doubt that. Best way is a simple router.

Jeff

 

[DJ Borell]

Hi,

Usually the cable company will let you, but you change your service
contract to have two cable modems on one cable. When I had cable internet
in Tokyo, they had several plans, single modem for one room use, multiple
modems for several rooms. This was before home routers started to become
more common. Another solution is to see if the provider issues multiport
cable modems, but I doubt that. Best way is a simple router.

For enough money, the cable companies will probably let you do whatever you
want...;-)

And I definitely agree, a router is the easiest method. The local cable
provider here had a "no routers" clause in the acceptable use policy until
only about 2 or 3 years ago. They relented (finally)...probably because
everyone did it anyway and it's virtually impossible to enforce.

Another option I just thought of...if the OP is completely against wireless
(for whatever reason) and doesn't want a run of Cat5, I wonder if those
networking kits that utilize AC electrical wiring are still available? It's
been a while since I've seen one.

 

[jeffrey]

Haven`t seen those in a while, maybe too many people were getting shocked.
Also was the noise a problem with the those units?

Jeff

 

[DJ Borell]

Haven`t seen those in a while, maybe too many people were getting shocked.
Also was the noise a problem with the those units?

Yeah, it's been years since I've seen one, and I never used one. But I do
recall that they were sensitive to power spikes/drops and required a 3-wire
system. I'm sure they had "electrifying" transfer rates, though...;-)
(sorry, I just couldn't resist)

Personally, in this scenario, I can't think of a reason not to just use
wireless, but I guess there are still people that don't want it.

 

[jeffrey]

maybe people just don`t want to fuss with setting up a secure wireless
network. I wouldn`t use cable net anymore, its more unsecure then wireless
or DSL. I remember when using cable for about 6 months, got tired of
deleting my black-ice logs of all the port scan attempts and intrusion
attemps being on one huge WAN. Plus DSL came out with 10 meg connection,
then later 12 meg to 20 meg. Now I`m connected with a 26.5 meg, once the
fiber is available in my area, will change to that for a 100 meg connection.
I use a NetGear 4 port A/B/G wireless router and it was easy to setup the
network security.



Jeff

 

[DJ Borell]

maybe people just don`t want to fuss with setting up a secure wireless
network. I wouldn`t use cable net anymore, its more unsecure then
wireless or DSL. I remember when using cable for about 6 months, got
tired of deleting my black-ice logs of all the port scan attempts and
intrusion attemps being on one huge WAN. Plus DSL came out with 10 meg
connection, then later 12 meg to 20 meg. Now I`m connected with a 26.5
meg, once the fiber is available in my area, will change to that for a 100
meg connection. I use a NetGear 4 port A/B/G wireless router and it was
easy to setup the network security.

I can only drool at the thought of a fiber connection...just not enough
demand around here for that to be offered.

As far as setting up wireless security, I think too many people
underestimate the need for it. It's painfully easy to set, once it's in
place you can almost forget about it, and too many people have the "it won't
happen to me" mindset...until it happens to them. There are four wireless
networks in "view" of my office that are completely unsecured...and several
of them have file/printer sharing enabled. I guess if I ever get tired of
paying for my own internet connection, I have options ;-)

 

[DJ Borell]

maybe people just don`t want to fuss with setting up a secure wireless
network. I wouldn`t use cable net anymore, its more unsecure then
wireless or DSL. I remember when using cable for about 6 months, got
tired of deleting my black-ice logs of all the port scan attempts and
intrusion attemps being on one huge WAN. Plus DSL came out with 10 meg
connection, then later 12 meg to 20 meg. Now I`m connected with a 26.5
meg, once the fiber is available in my area, will change to that for a 100
meg connection. I use a NetGear 4 port A/B/G wireless router and it was
easy to setup the network security.

I can only drool at the thought of a fiber connection...just not enough
demand around here for that to be offered.

As far as setting up wireless security, I think too many people
underestimate the need for it. It's painfully easy to set, once it's in
place you can almost forget about it, and too many people have the "it won't
happen to me" mindset...until it happens to them. There are four wireless
networks in "view" of my office that are completely unsecured...and several
of them have file/printer sharing enabled. I guess if I ever get tired of
paying for my own internet connection, I have options ;-)

 

[jeffrey]

I can`t wait for the fiber, almost no noise and single loss. Unfortunately
even though I will eventually have the 100 meg fiber connection, I will
probably only get between 50 to 70 meg not my full 100. But its better than
26.5 meg connection.

Jeff

 

[Leythos]

Friend has 2 computers, does not want to install wireless and cannot
run a cat5 cable between them.
She has cable hi speed internet via 1 cable modem to 1 computer.
And, he has a coax line in the vicinity of the 2nd computer.

Question: Is it possible to add a cable modem at the second computer
so that she would have one coax coming into the house with 2 cable
modems connected to each side of a coax cable splitter? And pay for
just one hispeed line as if she had a modem plus router?

You can run two cable modems on the same coax, but you pay for two service
accounts if you do.

As for the solution, if she's not willing to run cable, then wireless is
the way to go. I've installed a couple dozen wireless systems for
businesses and more for residential units - they are simple and easy to
setup and use - the key is to properly secure them.

 

[NobodyMan]

Why doesn`t your friend just pick up a standard Cable/DSL router, simple 4
port type, you don`t need to buy the wireless type. Also, if you want to
use another cable modem, you will have to pay for the second connection I
beleive. Your friend would need to contact the provider on that. But using
a standard 4 port router can connect both computers to it, the router to the
cable modem. Plus the router can act as a hardware firewall adding
protection to your friends network.

Jeff

On an unrelated note, please reply to the original post instead of
starting a new thread. You just fragmented the original thread.
Congratulations.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Friend has 2 computers, does not want to install wireless and cannot
run a cat5 cable between them.
She has cable hi speed internet via 1 cable modem to 1 computer.
And, he has a coax line in the vicinity of the 2nd computer.

Question: Is it possible to add a cable modem at the second computer
so that she would have one coax coming into the house with 2 cable
modems connected to each side of a coax cable splitter? And pay for
just one hispeed line as if she had a modem plus router?

Probably not. Cable ISPs use the cable modem's MAC address to allow
access to the Internet. If you put two cable modems on a single line,
the cable company will probably know, and will expect you to pay for two
Internet access accounts.

--

Bruce Chambers

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