Router question

sandy10 · 14 Dec 2007 at 23:40

Forgive me if this seems rather basic!

Have just invested in a new PS3 - and want to get online.

My modem is a cable modem, the Scientific Atlantis 100 Series, and currently connects to my PC via a USB cable - it also has an ethernet port, which remains unused.

I was going to try to use network sharing from the PC, but it seems like a bit of a 'mare, so am considering a router.

Would appreciate advice on the following:

1) How does the modem connect to the router - via a standard ethernet cable?
2) is a wired or wireless router preferable (the PS3 can work wireless)
3) if I went wireless, would the router or modem still allow me to connect to the PC via a cable?
4) If i went for a wired one, would I need a crossover cable to connect from the router to the PS3, or a standard ethernet cable.

I've tried to research this for layman's answers, and am all flustered now!

Any help would be great, and links to products would be even better.

Thanks

sandy10 · 14 Dec 2007 at 23:52

Can now confirm internet sharing didn't like me. At all.

badbob · 14 Dec 2007 at 23:55

A router has a modem built into the unit. So just connect all LAN devices into the router and away you go. Or into a switch, with a single cable from the router into the switch.

Internet sharing should just work, open IE and it should work (DHCP hands out LAN IP to each device) The most complex thing to do is to configure router settings for username and passwords, and check firewalls per computer/device. Usually though since the router has NAT firewall you can just disable the firewall on each computer.

sandy10 · 14 Dec 2007 at 23:57

Forgive me, the modem I have has a co-ax cable running into it. I wondered how I went from this modem to a router?

badbob · 14 Dec 2007 at 23:59

You have cable internet connection?

sandy10 · 14 Dec 2007 at 23:59

Indeed - Virgin Media - the modem has a co-ax running into it, and the ethernet/USB ports are the "output" sources.

ns400r · 15 Dec 2007 at 00:22

Coax to cable modem. Cable modem to new router via UTP cable. Router to PC via UTP cable. Router to PS3 via UTP cable.
You could use wireless for the PS3 if you bought a wireless router but try to use ethernet if it's possible for easier setup and better overall performance/pings.

ns400r · 15 Dec 2007 at 00:24

badbob said:
A router has a modem built into the unit.

Not unless it's an ADSL router. This user needs just a router for his cable connection. No modem involved.

NickR · 15 Dec 2007 at 06:59

..also need to power cycle the cable modem after changing connection to ethernet - it cant run ethernet and USB simultaneously and needs a reset to switch over.