CM500 DHCP Server

[TPHarrin]

Hello, I purchased a CM500 High Speed CCable Modem (DOCSIS 3.0) last year and recently got an Xbox. When I connect my laptop via ethernet to the modem, it works perfectly fine but my Xbox has problems connecting and gives me a message saying it can't connect to a DHCP server. I'm a bit technologically challenged and the manual sends me to the netgear site. Anyone able to provide some suggestions? Would getting a wireless router be a better option than fighting with an ethernet cord? Much appreciated!

[antinode]

> [...] When I connect my laptop via ethernet to the modem, it works
> perfectly fine but my Xbox has problems connecting and gives me a
> message saying it can't connect to a DHCP server. [...]

   Are you disconnecting your (unspecified) "my laptop", and replacing
it with the "my Xbox"?

> [...] I'm a bit technologically challenged and the manual sends me to
> the netgear site.

   Which "the manual"?  Which "the netgear site"?

   The CM500 is a modem.  Whatever you connect to it gets connected
dirrectly to your (unspecified) ISP.  As a modem, the CM500 does not
provide a DHCP server.  Your ISP probably does, but it might be
disturbed by repeated changes in what's connected to it ("my laptop",
"my Xbox", ...).  (Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model
number, and look for Documentation.  Get the User Manual.  Look for
"DHCP".)

> [...] Would getting a wireless router be a better option than fighting
> with an ethernet cord?

   Ethernet connections are not your problem.  I'd guess that connecting
multiple devices (even sequentially) without a router is.  Getting a
router (which might as well include some wireless capability) would let
you connect multiple devices at one time.  It would also present one
device (the router) to your ISP, which might be happier that way.

[TPHarrin]

Thank you for the response antinode.

1) Yes, I disconnect the laptop and plug in the xbox using the ethernet cord.

2) The pamphlet the modem came with lists the general netgear site (netgear.com). When I tried looking at the online manual, I was unable to find DHCP.

3) I think I understand what you are saying. I'll have to invest in a router then.

I really appreciate the help!!

[antinode]

> 3) I think I understand what you are saying. [...]

   I think so, too.  Happy router shopping.