Surfboard cable modem splitting

[bob urz]

I have a surfboard cable modem SB5101 hooked up to an IBM XP PRO machine
via USB cable from the surfboard. The set up works fine for cable
internet. I would like to share the connection with a laptop occasionally.

So, can i use the Ethernet connection from the surfboard to a wireless
router direct without going to the computer?

So, essentially the surfboard would be feeding two different sources
Computer VIA USB
Router Via Wired Ethernet

Possible?

bob

 

[Nil]

I have a surfboard cable modem SB5101 hooked up to an IBM XP PRO
machine via USB cable from the surfboard. The set up works fine
for cable internet. I would like to share the connection with a
laptop occasionally.

So, can i use the Ethernet connection from the surfboard to a
wireless router direct without going to the computer?

So, essentially the surfboard would be feeding two different
sources
Computer VIA USB
Router Via Wired Ethernet

No, the modem can only address one device at at time. You want to
connect the modem to the router, and then connect the computer(s) to
the router.

In a pinch, if you don't have a router available and you only need one
of the computers to connect to the Internet, you can power off the
modem and computer, disconnect the main computer, connect the laptop,
then power up the modem. Upon its bootup, it will detect the new device
and assign it an address. To restore the original computer, repeat the
process, swapping the laptop and desktop connections.

 

[SC Tom]

I have a surfboard cable modem SB5101 hooked up to an IBM XP PRO machine
via USB cable from the surfboard. The set up works fine for cable
internet. I would like to share the connection with a laptop occasionally.

So, can i use the Ethernet connection from the surfboard to a wireless
router direct without going to the computer?

So, essentially the surfboard would be feeding two different sources
Computer VIA USB
Router Via Wired Ethernet

Possible?

bob

As Nil posted, you can only use one of the connections at a time. But, you
can disconnect the USB cable, plug the ethernet cable into your router, pick
up a wireless card or USB wireless adapter for your desktop PC, and use the
router for both the PC and the laptop. That way, both machines can access
the internet at the same time, if necessary, and you don't have to go
through the swap/connect/disconnect procedure. You can pick up a wireless
adapter for less than $30 most anywhere that sells electronics.

 

[Paul]

I have a surfboard cable modem SB5101 hooked up to an IBM XP PRO machine
via USB cable from the surfboard. The set up works fine for cable
internet. I would like to share the connection with a laptop occasionally.

So, can i use the Ethernet connection from the surfboard to a wireless
router direct without going to the computer?

So, essentially the surfboard would be feeding two different sources
Computer VIA USB
Router Via Wired Ethernet

Possible?

bob

http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles...ocuments/Static Files/SB5101 - User Guide.pdf

"Introduction

Congratulations, you have a new Motorola SURFboard cable modem.

You can connect:

Two computers; one to the USB port and one to the Ethernet port

Up to 63 computers to a single SURFboard cable modem using an Ethernet hub
as shown in "Cabling for Multiple Users" on page 40"

[Pg.40]

"The SURFboard cable modem supports several multiple user configurations.
Along with an optional hub or *router*, it can serve as an Internet gateway
for up to 63 computers."

"You can connect a single computer to the USB port and from one to
31 remaining users to an Ethernet hub, as shown at bottom left.
You cannot connect more than one computer to the cable modem
through the USB port."

So yes, possible.

If it was my setup, I'd disconnect the USB connection, connect the
router to the SURFboard, then connect both computers to the router.
(The picture on Pg.41 suggests such a configuration, although it
doesn't account for routers with both wired and wireless connections.)

Depending on the router (or other kind of Ethernet box), a crossover
cable might not be needed. Some routers can autoswitch, and use
regular Ethernet cables.

Paul

 

[SC Tom]

I have a surfboard cable modem SB5101 hooked up to an IBM XP PRO machine
via USB cable from the surfboard. The set up works fine for cable
internet. I would like to share the connection with a laptop
occasionally.

So, can i use the Ethernet connection from the surfboard to a wireless
router direct without going to the computer?

So, essentially the surfboard would be feeding two different sources
Computer VIA USB
Router Via Wired Ethernet

Possible?

bob

http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles...ocuments/Static Files/SB5101 - User Guide.pdf

"Introduction

Congratulations, you have a new Motorola SURFboard cable modem.

You can connect:

Two computers; one to the USB port and one to the Ethernet port

Up to 63 computers to a single SURFboard cable modem using an Ethernet
hub
as shown in "Cabling for Multiple Users" on page 40"

[Pg.40]

"The SURFboard cable modem supports several multiple user
configurations.
Along with an optional hub or *router*, it can serve as an Internet
gateway
for up to 63 computers."

"You can connect a single computer to the USB port and from one to
31 remaining users to an Ethernet hub, as shown at bottom left.
You cannot connect more than one computer to the cable modem
through the USB port."

So yes, possible.

If it was my setup, I'd disconnect the USB connection, connect the
router to the SURFboard, then connect both computers to the router.
(The picture on Pg.41 suggests such a configuration, although it
doesn't account for routers with both wired and wireless connections.)

Depending on the router (or other kind of Ethernet box), a crossover
cable might not be needed. Some routers can autoswitch, and use
regular Ethernet cables.

Paul

Good post, Paul. I guess I assumed (yeah, yeah, I know) the 5101 was similar
to my old 4200, which was an either/or situation.

 

[Paul in Houston TX]

I have a surfboard cable modem SB5101 hooked up to an IBM XP PRO machine
via USB cable from the surfboard. The set up works fine for cable
internet. I would like to share the connection with a laptop occasionally.

So, can i use the Ethernet connection from the surfboard to a wireless
router direct without going to the computer?

So, essentially the surfboard would be feeding two different sources
Computer VIA USB
Router Via Wired Ethernet

Possible?

bob

Ethernet router.
Wireless if your laptop has wireless.
Cat 5 if not.
BTW, I would never use USB to connect to a modem or router.
It slows things down since the data has to be
translated to usb protocol and back.

 

[Nil]

http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles...ocuments/Static Files/SB5101 - User Guide.pdf

"You can connect a single computer to the USB port and from one to
31 remaining users to an Ethernet hub, as shown at bottom left.
You cannot connect more than one computer to the cable modem
through the USB port."

So yes, possible.

Interesting! I assumed that, like my old modem, it was one-at-a-time
only. I see now that my Motorola SB5100 also supports two devices.

But I thought my ISP, Comcast, only allowed one device per modem.
Maybe they changed that policy.