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Forum Discussion
Help with potential new connections
I have spent hours researching this, and I cannot definitively answer my questions.
I currently have Suddenlink cable service for both internet and TV.
I am running an older HP desktop, connected to internet with the Suddenlink-provided Arris CM820 modem. I have never used a router.
I am considering "cutting the cable", and keeping only internet service, and then purchasing a Chromebox to connect to my TV, to use only for streaming movies. I have decided to go with the Chromebox so that I can stream via Chrome browser, for a specific reason.
I do not use wireless of any kind, and do NOT want to use any wireless!
I am willing and able to run ethernet cable from my office to my family room.
I need to know if either of the Netgear Fast Ethernet switches will be all I need to buy, or if I absolutely must have a router, as well.
OR, If I buy a router, would I still need a switch?
My cable provider told me that if I wanted internet access to two different machines, I had to pay for a SECOND internet access, meaning a second modem and seperate fee for it's internet access.
Any advice will be appreciated!
2 Replies
You are a brave soul to be connecting a computer directly to the modem.
If you want to connect more than one device to the Internet (e.g. your HP desktop and a Chromebox), then you'll need a router. A consumer router is actually a combination of multiple devices: firewall, NAT, switch, Wi-Fi Access Point and router.
The key function you need is NAT, which allows multiple devices to use a single Internet connection.
The firewall is useful for providing primary protection against intrusions into your home network; right now your computer's firewall is the only thing protecting you.
Since you plan to go exclusively wired, the router's built-in switch will prove handy, as well. You won't need a separate switch unless you use all of the Ethernet ports on the router.
If you have no need for Wi-Fi (do you really have no smartphones?), then you might consider getting a non-Wi-Fi router. Netgear doesn't have any consumer routers without Wi-Fi. You'll need to step up to their business/SOHO class firewalls. Either their UTM or VPN firewalls will probably work. Or you can simply disable Wi-Fi.
Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to thank you for your help!
I have been using Windows computers since early 2001. I am on my 3rd computer, so that averages out to about 5.5 years per machine. I started with Windows ME, then moved up to Windows XP in 2006, and then to Windows 7 in 2012.
I have never used a router, but have always run either Norton Antivirus or a Norton security suite. I have only had 2 episodes of "trouble in all that time. The first one was on my XP machine, and Norton caught the threat. The second time was on this W7 machine, and it happened when I first signed up for Facebook, and some app I downloaded attacked my machine. Luckily, Norton helped me resolve it. And, I promptly deleted my Facebook!
I also run Malwarebytes.
Maybe I have just been "lucky" having no router. I have seemed to have some kind of guardian angel watching over me most of my life, so maybe.......
At any rate, I appreciate the info you gave me. Yes, I was aware that NAT what the function I need to accomplish this project.
I will now focus on shopping for a Netgear (probably) router, and just disable WiFi.
If you have one that you would suggest, I would appreciate your input. I am severely limited budget-wise; other wise, I would not even be considering doing all this in order to cancel my cable TV sub.
Oh, and NO, I do not have a smart phone! I still have an old flip phone, which is ONLY used for when I am out in the car, in case of emergency, and in case I lose my internet phone for some reason. And I would not even have a cell phone at all, if not for the fact that my sister has provided it to me for many years. She offered to provide me with a smart phone, but I just simply don't NEED one.
Plus the fact, I don't want to end up being just one more smart phone zombie, like the ones who literally run into me in the grocery store, and don't even acknowledge they have done so. Or the ones who cannot carry on a conversation with anyone in person, because they are glued to their smart phone!
I spend a LOT of time on the internet on my PC. But when someone calls me, or comes to visit, I either leave the office to talk on the phone, or shut the computer down and focus on THEM if they are here to visit me in person.
Thank you again for your input!
Blessings!
