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colexa's avatar
colexa
Initiate
May 23, 2020

CM1200 modem activation with no ethernet port

Considering it's a wireless world now, why would Netgear force you to create a hard connection with your modem and computer on setup???  I have a macbook pro and they no longer have ethernet ports.  Haven't for a while.  Many other laptops don't as well.  How can I get around step 6 which requires you to connect the modem to a computer using an ethernet connection since that clearly isn't possible?  Extremely frustrating.  Thanks for any help I can get!

5 Replies

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    May 24, 2020

    so go modem----->router----wireless device? 

    you can do that. Isn't always as smooth but it does work and i've done it. 

     

    But its just a modem. If you'd wanted wireless integrated into it, you'd need to buy a modem/router combo device as the minutes you add wireless, you need routing functions. 

    • colexa's avatar
      colexa
      Initiate
      May 24, 2020
      That’s what I ended up doing. The instructions imply you have to go modem to computer before installing the router to then connect wirelessly which was my issue. Netgear just needs to update their documentation that ships with the product because skipping the computer step worked fine. Thx!
  • AdeptMaven's avatar
    AdeptMaven
    Guide
    May 24, 2020

    All modems are ethernet only. To connect wirelessly you'd have to either A, buy a router or B, return the cm1200 and buy a modem/rodem combo. You can also buy a usb/usb-c to ethernet adapter. Hope that helps

  • tjsage's avatar
    tjsage
    Aspirant
    May 27, 2020

    Hard wired ensures the best connection for setup. The modem is not WiFi so hard wired is obviously the way to set it up. I have a MB Pro too and one just needs to get an adapter for RJ45 hard wired connection, that, or have a friend come over and get it set up. I have hard wired to several modem/routers for setup and maintentence

    • FURRYe38's avatar
      FURRYe38
      Guru - Experienced User
      May 27, 2020

      Same here. I bought USB C to LAN adapters from Amazon. Works well for Mac laptops with out built in LAN ports. Seems to be that Apple is going that way on the LTs. :smileyfrustrated:

      tjsage wrote:

      Hard wired ensures the best connection for setup. The modem is not WiFi so hard wired is obviously the way to set it up. I have a MB Pro too and one just needs to get an adapter for RJ45 hard wired connection, that, or have a friend come over and get it set up. I have hard wired to several modem/routers for setup and maintentence