How can I connect multiple PCs to one cable modem ?

Even if the modem has both Ethernet and USB ports, chances are only one can work at a time and you will need additional hardware/software to share the Internet connection. The easiest way would be to buy a broadband router and connect it between the cable modem and PCs. For more information and other ways of sharing your Internet connection check our articles section.

User Reviews/Comments:

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by anonymous - 2006.04.22 03:39

Hi all,
Using less expensive routers will offer slower half-duplex speeds.
Using a router/switch offers faster full-duplex speeds.
Currently, 2006, the price of switches has drop'd to around 50$US. Not too bad. IMHO

by Philip - 2006.04.22 10:57

Still, there are many routers with built-in 10/100 Mbps switches on the market for under $100, so it is not necessary to use two separate devices.

by anonymous - 2008.10.06 23:52

A lot of times using both at once works... BUT:
The usb connection is always going to be a little unstable no matter what, and sometimes will just stop working, no matter what the product manual says.
The preferred method is stick to the ethernet connection. I advise against using hubs, get a switch for a few bucks more- but there are limits imposed by your ISP only how many devices can get an IP through the modem at the same time. Usually it's 10 or less, so you are better off just skipping the middleman and getting a router.

Do your research before buying a router, or wireless router. Find out how many computers it can support at once (NOT to be confused with how many physical connector ports it has!) and also check to see how many simultaneous "connections" it can handle at one time. This info is rarely published, you'll have to check review sites. Rule of thumb- you get what you paid for, but every brand name has some junk models.

by Inu-Yasha - 2012.12.19 04:23

In Finland most modems are routers, but cable modems are usually not, but anyway the standard here is 5 separate IP's allowed...

However, any decent router can be configured so that some ports will provide bridged connection (gives individual IP to machine), and some ports will share the 1st IP - which is what you want for computers that exceed the number of allowed systems... of course, those computers share IP, so they can't have ports open for incoming connections (except you can configure any decent router to redirect a port you want to a computer you want to run server on that port. Like my system where my modem has 5 ethernet ports and wireless - the wireless gives shared (hub) connection to clients, but I configured it to redirect port 22 to my laptop so I can SSH into it and use it remotely).

Hope this helps, I tried to give most detailed description to useful set up.