Can you have two cable modems connected at the same time?

[shannonandtom]

I am going to be working from home for the next two months before we move. We currently rent a cable modem from the cable company. We have our home computer connected to that one.

Can I buy my own cable modem and add it to our cable in another room for my work laptop with the other one still connected?

I know there are options for routers and wireless, but I'm trying to come up with the least cost option. Also, if I buy one now, we won't have to rent one after we move.

Is anyone else doing this or can it be done?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[KCritter]

Tom - I'm not an expert or anything, but the way I understand it, you can only have one cable modem. If I remember right, the cable modem has to be the first thing attached when the cable comes into the house. I think a router is cheaper than a cable modem, but you'll need network cards for both PCs.

Krista

 

[jfulcer]

Sorry Tom, but I'm pretty sure the answer is no.

Primarily because each cable modem has a MAC address that gets registered with the cable company. You would most likely have to pay for cable service twice in order to be able to do this, even if they offer it. They would most likely tell you to get cable router and go that route.

As inexpensive as routers are at this point, it would be a good idea to invest in one of those right now as you know you can always use it. I even just bought a wireless Access Point/Router for $79 from Best Buy. My servers and DW's machine are hardwired into the switch, and I spent $50 to get a wireless card for my laptop. It is a good investment, IMHO.

 

[gepetto]

Call your cable company and find out your options.

 

[prince of thieves]

A router would be your least cost option. routers are extremely cheap compared to what they were two years ago. I would suggest going wireless esp since you have a laptop. Wireless routers are getting extremely cheap and you can usually find some good deals on wireless routers and wireless cards in your sunday paper ads for best buy and comp usa. I would never suggest you getting two cable modems. You would just be paying too much money per month for service. If you are willing to purchase items online then i would also look at pricewatch.com where it is just a giant database of computer companies and parts for sale.

hope this helps
JAM

 

[Patch'sD]

I run four PCs off one cable modem. If you purchase a second Cable modem, it has to be addressed by the cable company which means they will charge you for a second line. Purchase a Lyncsys Router, Either Wired or Wireless. Wireless costs more but you will avoid having to run Ethernet Wiring throughout your home. Wireless requires a Wireless Reciever/Transmitter to be attached to remote PCs. Also make sure you turn on Security or your neighbors will enjoy free internet access. A Router allows you to share a DSL or Cable modem by only requiring one address alowing the PC to share it. You can pick up a lyncsys Wired Router for about $60-$75. You can get Ethernet Wire from Home Depot at about one tenth the cost of what they charge at CompUSA.

 

[zurgswife]

We run 5 computers off ours and switched to a wireless connection about 6 months ago....

 

[jsmith]

Unless you want two entirely seperate cables running into your house you can not have two modems-however-ithere are a couple of options-first and best is a router of course. Check your modem-several brands actually have multiple ports in them and you would only need to run a piece of data cable from the modem to the second box. Third, least efficient, but also least expensive option-most cable modems have ports for USB cables to be plugged into them-you can run a USB cable from the modem to one of the PC's rather than a standard ethernet cable and run to boxes from the same modem. If you are using a laptop to work at home you will want to run the USB to the desktop PC and use the ethernet on the modem for the laptop since the 3com ethernet cards will not work with a USB connection
-I use this solution as I frequently have to do work from home at odd hours. I can run the ethernet into my laptop and do my thing and the USB lets my sons still have internet access. The only thing to be aware of is that you have no firewall protection on your laptop unless you are accessing your companies net over a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection. In that case you will have the same firewall that you have when you are at your office on the LAN. I would suggest returning the rented modem and purchasing your own anyway so that you can get one with the options you need-they are not hugely expensive. ( neither are routers and network cards but installing them takes a bit more skill) If you choose to use a router it is likely your work machine will already have a network card installed and if you home PC is reasonably new (18 months or less old) it may already have one as well.

 

[tax58]

We also run a wireless network on ours. It works great.

 

[shannonandtom]

See...that's why I love these boards.
I can always count on some good advice from you guys!

I think I will go with a Wireless router and get the wireless card for my laptop.

Thanks again everyone!

Tom

 

[jfulcer]

Just checked and the wireless access point is selling for $89 or less right now at bestbuy.

Check here

 

[shannonandtom]

Cool...thanks Jeff!

Tom

 

[mickeyfan1]

and got it at best buy. anouther advantage is that the router acts as a firewall.

Oh, watch for rebates, too. I got back 50 bucks from my router and card, so it was like 69 dollars total after rebate.

 

[Patch'sD]

Don't place Wirless Reciever/ Transmitter near the cordless phone, They sometimes cause the Reciever/Transmitter to drop off.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by Patch'sD
Don't place Wirless Reciever/ Transmitter near the cordless phone, They sometimes cause the Reciever/Transmitter to drop off.

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. Most wireless routers run at 2.4 GHz, so if you have a cordless phone that operates on that freq, you may have a big problem. My old 900MHz phone doesn't cause any problems, except the incessant telemarketer call, LOL, wrong thread!

GOod luck getting set up. There is nothing better than DIsing at the pool!

 

[jfulcer]

Originally posted by Patch'sD
Don't place Wirless Reciever/ Transmitter near the cordless phone, They sometimes cause the Reciever/Transmitter to drop off.

Our wireless router interfered with our new fangled video baby monitor and vice versa. After I changed the channel on the router, the problem went away.