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General discussion

Splitting a Cable internet connection

Jan 10, 2007 2:31PM PST

Can you split a cable connection to go into two computers that can both be running? If so, what with and would the service be slower or same?

And if you can't do that, is there another way to run two computers (side by side) at the same time. Seems to me there would be conflict in doing this but you never know. thanks

(Windows XP desktop and Mac note book)

Discussion is locked

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Yes, that can be done.
Jan 10, 2007 5:52PM PST

You need a cable modem with an Ethernet connection and a device called a router.

You connect the cable modem with the in-port (WAN-port) of the router and the outgoing ports (LAN-ports) of the router with the Ethernet-connection of the PC's. The usual routers on the consumer market support 4 PC's wired. A wireless router suppports a much larger number of PC's that have a wireless Ethernet receiver (laptops come with it, generally, for desktops you need to buy them separately).

The additional advantage is that the PC's are connected in a home network, so it's possible to share printers and files, if you like. Although this might be difficult between a Mac and a Windows PC, as you have.

It depends on the connection speed of the cable and what the PC's do with it if you'll see a downfall in service. You can't look high-res streaming video (2 Mb/s) on 2 PC's simultaneously if you've got a 2 MB/s connection, of course. But just browsing and mailing and listening to 96 kB/s streaming audio will go very well with 2 PC's and a 2 Mb/s broadband.

You'll find a wired router for some $50 to $60 in any computershop. It's a very common setup. Every shop assistant worth the title will sell you the right equipment and the right cables or cards.

Hope this helps.


Kees

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"need cable modem and router"?
Jan 12, 2007 3:38AM PST

Just out of curiousity, could I also split the cable into two computers with only a "router"?

thanks

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You need both.
Jan 12, 2007 4:46AM PST

You should already have the modem. It is typically installed by the ISP when you purchase their service. Motorola Surfboard or some such modem.

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Got it, but one more question
Jan 13, 2007 8:57AM PST

If it's not a cable wire and it's (I'm not sure I know the name) one of those ..... it's very much like a phone jack line/connector BUT it's much larger and the cable w/ it is round and bigger than a regular phone line.

Here's some numbers off of it (sometimes this is done in a hotel but mine is in an apartment):

24AWGx4P Type CM<UL> CMH E164469- F3 0990FT IC NETWORK UTP CAT 5E 350MHZ ISO/IEC (and it just keeps on goingHappy this was on this cable.

Can that be split, that kind? or same thing. Thanks a bunch, appreciate it. (no more questions) (I be done)

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Nope again. . .
Jan 13, 2007 7:23PM PST

That's the Ethernet cable, fully digital. You cannot split any kind of a digital connection.

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Splitting = nope.
Jan 13, 2007 2:59AM PST

When you split the cable your ISP will see two MAC addresses (the specific address of a NIC) and they will not allow that. One MAC address per customer.

Now.

You have to have a modem, period. The modem will have a MAC address, the router does not. It will connect to the router. The router will distribute the connection to up to four wired PCs. It does this by assigning a home network IP address to each NIC/PC.

Wayne

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2 modems
Jan 28, 2007 12:44AM PST

can i run 2 modems off the one isp line

say i have one computer downstairs which has the modem, can i split the internet connection from the main box and run a separate modem to another computer upstairs

(i currently have wireless router but its very bad connection)

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(NT) Read above, splitting = nope.
Jan 28, 2007 1:14AM PST
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ok so
Jan 28, 2007 10:58AM PST

i must run it through the original modem via a router
i currently have a wireless router, will that do the job?
and is it just cat-5 wire?

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Simply. . .
Jan 29, 2007 8:40PM PST

Cable (coax) -> modem -> router (wired/wireless) -> each PC.

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routers
Jul 31, 2008 4:26AM PDT

the main idea for a router for home users is so that they can have more than one pc being on the internet ..

along with that having some sort of home network.

In my own case... I have 2 printers and 2 major device towers on my network...neither hooked to pc's ...

And another pc that is wirelessly hooked up to router too.

Point, there is no real reason to split cables when u can inexpensivley go router based..