I'll do that Dave and let you know, thanks mate.

Ok virgin says they do not provide routers Dave FREE, I can have one for £40 though.

[Dalo Harkin]

Ok - may be with new contracts - I will ring em as mine is classed as a new contract

Let me know mate.

This is the cable modem I have at the moment with a few questions below.

Cable Modem Troubleshooting: Scientific Atlanta DPC2100 - Simple Help

[Kelly]

I think we're getting the terms modem and router mixed here. The ISP uses a modem to convert their protocol to standard TCP/IP. They provide the RJ-45 jack on the back of the modem. This is what you use an Ethernet cable to connect to your computer. It's an RJ-45 connector. This is an 802. (something) standard.

You can connect any Ethernet router to this connector. As long as you have that RJ-45 Ethernet jack aavailable, any standard router will work. All the routers I've seen even come with the Ethernet cable. The router connects to the modem and then the computer connects to the router either with a wire or wirelessly. You will need a wired computer to configure the router initially.

Here's where there is sometimes confusion: some modems, particularly those used by cable companies, are actually a combination of modem and router. So the user sees one box and doesn't know what to call it. Some will call it a modem and others will call it a router. It's the modem that is particular to the ISP's protocal and that's where you need to be concerned.

[Dalo Harkin]

Kelly they are totally different - if you go into any major retailer they are split up - CABLE (NTL, VIRGIN) and ADSL (BT etc)
you cannot use one for the other.

Sorry Tony if I confused the issue here.

I definitely know that modem is a modem and not a Router.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Dalo Harkin]

Wolfey -
Me and Kelly had a very long game of PM tennis - all sorted now - different here to the US

Thanks Dave.

[Kelly]

Lesson learned:
Next time, ask how the computer connects to the Internet. Is it via a USB port or via the Ethernet port.

In the US, at least in my area, everyone I know connects using the Ethernet port. Some modems also have USB ports, but no one I know of uses that port. Seems the UK setups prefer using the USB port, which is not compatible with standard routers.

I still think we are cross wired on this.
I connect from the Ethernet card in the pc to the Ethernet port on the modem Tony, the signal is then carried via coax to the Cable distributor screwed to my internal wall.

I also get TV via this method and I also have a phone line too that resides on an extra cable within the cable that leads from the box that is screwed to the outside of my house.

Is this more clearer?

[Kelly]

That's the same standard connection we use here and I see day in and day out. Any router will work. Just don't get one that's labeled modem/router because that won't work.

What you usually see is a 4-port wireless router. You would place the router between your modem and your computer. The router has a designated port that connects to the modem. You can connect your comptuer to any of the other 4 connectors.

The one thing you need to be concerned about is the IP address setting. Most cable setups use DHCP. On your computer, go to Start / Run and type in CMD and press enter. When the window comes up, type in ipconfig /all and press enter. Let me know what it says.

When I get the router you'll be the first to know Tony, cheers mate.

I just want to say a big mega thank you to Dave (Dalo Harkin) who has enlightened me immensely with regard to Wireless Networking and Routers.

Cheers mate, the beers are on me big time.

[Dalo Harkin]

You are more than welcome mate -

Tony I will research the matters posted above as I do not have an answer as to why they are labelled ADSL and CABLE only routers.
There must be a massive difference otherwise they would as you say be interchangeable

The difference.

What is Broadband? ADSL & Cable Broadband