USB to Ethernet router ? DIY network possible / easy / cheap ?

[Nick]

I have broadband with a ISP supplied cable modem with one USB "outlet socket" which connects to the PC.

What I want to do is share the broadband with another PC which has only an Ethernet connection, and provide another Ethernet socket elsewhere for plugging a laptop in also to share the Internet access.

I believe I need a router (firewall router?) after the cable modem, but are they available with USB in and both "USB and Ethernet out" sockets ?

I am stuck with the ISP supplied cable modem as it is part of the supplied system / software in the PC, so I can't mess with the PC (and haven't the confidence knowledge to do so) but if I can graft in an extra box inline, and configure the additionals, I am happier to do that.

Thanks, Nick

[Colin Wilson]

Many cable modems also have an RJ45 network connector - i`d check if it has before tying yourself into a messier USB solution.

[Lobster]

I'm slightly confused here - you say you have a cable modem connected to the PC; but that said modem is part of the system in the PC so you can't mess with the PC...is the cable modem in fact a stand-alone box? If so, what's the problem with doing whatever you want with the PC?

IIWY (assuming you do have stand-alone cable modem) I'd be looking at buying a router with combined wi-fi and hard-wired capability; hooking up the main PC with a cable and giving your laptop wireless network capability. That way (if you wish) you can share the broadband connection between both; access files on the hard drive of the each machine from the other other; print from the laptop to a printer connected to the desktop machine etc; all from anywhere in the house. I have an arrangement like that and it's excellent.

David

[Sparks]

I see you are posting from an NTL connection now, NTL usually supply a cable modem with both a USB and an ethernet socket - what is the model number on the cable modem?

I assume this cable modem has three wires in it currently

1 - Power 2 - USB to your PC 3 - A TV Type co-ax cable that screws in, this cable goes to a wall plate with the same connector - it does not plug into your telephone line.

Is that correct?

Sparks...

[David Hansen]

On Sun, 25 Jun 2006 22:03:31 GMT someone who may be "Nick" wrote this:-

Most cable modems also have an ethernet socket, which you can plug into the WAN port of a broadband router. The only trick with this is, if necessary, to add the MAC address of the router to the list of ISTR up to five registered with the cable company, or clone the MAC address of your computer (usually an option in the router).

Draytek used to make a router with a USB WAN connection, but this was discontinued some time ago. Such a USB connection will become an increasing bottleneck.

The usual item with only a USB outlet is not a cable modem but an ADSL modem. These can be replaced with an ADSL router.

Not that I have noticed.

If you get a router that is the thing which will authenticate with the supplier, so things are going to change. The instructions from the cable supplier should contain the passwords and so on to allow the router to communicate with them.

At the same time smack an ethernet card into the computer.

If you don't feel up to this, employ someone who is.

[zikkimalambo]

One option that not been mentioned so far (though like most that have it doesn't quite meet your original spec), is to install an ethernet card in the existing PC (if there isn't one in there already) and share out it's internet connection. You could then plug it into a wireless router (might as well buy one which has adsl capability in case you want to go that route another time) and then use wireless or wired on other PCs. You could still share peripherals, files etc with this method.

However, it still means messig with the PC, and it's not the best method by a long shot, I only mention it for completeness.

[Nick]

Hi Guys, Thanks for the replies...

It is not for my NTL (home address) system, but system at another location which is company supplied and I have been told to "not alter it" (!) - however I think I can get away with putting something in line with the existing (external) cable modem. I must use the cable modem supplied as the software driving it is installed perhaps is even monitored remotely and all working fine - I can't afford even a day of downtime if I c*ck it up by installing a different modem / router as it would be noticed immediately if the system is not working and I couldn't find someone to fix it very quickly

Hence the query if I could add an inline box between the Cable modem and the PC which would give an ethernet output to another PC...

Thanks,

Nick

[Sparks]

Then really you can only connect the other PC to this existing PC, as putting a "box" in between the cable modem and the current PC will result in the cable modem not being attached to the PC.

Who is the supplier of the internet connection?

Does this PC have an ethernet socket? What version of windows is it running? Is this connection used for remote access to the company network, or just internet access?

Sparks...

[Colin Wilson]

The OP might be able to DMZ a particular port, so to all intents and purposes, the company won`t know its in place

I suspect the OP might be at risk of losing his job if he doesn`t get permission to do anything that might endanger the network...

[John Rumm]

The last NTL connection I added a router to (Motorola cable mode), worked without havign to jump through the MAC address hoops - so it may be they have relaced this nonsense now.

[John Rumm]

If the modem also has ethernet (most do) then it is trivial to add a router to it - just plug it between PC and modem and configure if required from a web browser.

If however there is no ethernet capability on the modem, then it is a bit more trickey. The best you could probably then do is to add a USB ethernet card to the PC and use windows inbuilt ability to route between the two network interfaces (i.e. the modem and the ethernet cards). Once this is done you are then free to add a wireless access point or router to the ethernet connection to share this with other PCs.

[Rod]

John Rumm wrote in news:44a0371b$0$3551 $ [e-mail]:

From memory, you can connect five different MAC addresses within a period of time, maybe 24 hours. I think that you will find details somewhere here:

you connect a different device (e.g. change from a PC to a router), you will need to reboot the modem.

If the modem is a Terajet, I think that these are not compatible with the new higher speeds being used by NTL. Therefore a replacement might be in order. Most (if not all) more recent modems support USB and Ethernet.

If you want to change nothing between NTL and the PC, you could consider Internet Connection Sharing on the PC - but it would need a second network card.

[David Hansen]

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:35:55 +0100 someone who may be John Rumm wrote this:-

It says so on their web site that they have (and has said so for a year or two). However, "real life" isn't always like their web site. Sometimes one has to do what I typed in order to get communications. It is useful to have in the back of one's head in case it is necessary.

[John Rumm]

Yup, I remember having to do it for some of their earlier setups, hence why I commented on the change on a more recent one...