Re: Help switching from dialup to cable

In article <TCXTl.38390$d36.3178@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Ace <thermo102@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
:From browsing the postings yesterday, I'm hoping one (or more) of the group
:has the answer I'm looking for.
:
:Present setup is as follows:
:
:Have two desktop pc's setup in a LAN (wired) using a Linksys "Printserver
:for USB" (model #PSUS4).
:Purpose of the network was to enable either PC access to the printer without
:the 2nd PC being powered up. (Hence the print server) I purchased Linksys
:LAN cards for both Desktops (LNE100TX ver 5.1) for this setup.
:
:Both PC's have independent access to internet thru dialup connection (i.e..
:do NOT share internet).
:
:We (a retired couple) are considering switching to Comcast Broadband. Our
:use of the internet is mostly recreational, but doing updates for Microsoft,
:virus software, etc, is taking forever with the dialup connection.
:
:Questions I have:
:1. Does Comcast provide an external cable modem and necessary router
:(switch) for hooking up to three pc's ? (Also have a laptop).
:
:2. What would be necessary to still share the printer without the other
:PC's on the network being powered up?
: Would a 4th feed from the modem be required to go to the Linksys
:Printserver? All PC's have an available RJ-45 motherboard connection.
:
:I just now looked in manual for motherboard and discovered an RJ-45 port on
:board. Could this could be used for an internet feed from a router (switch)
:and not interfere with existing printserver network?

Yes, you should be able to use the motherboard's RJ-45 connection for
your internet service. It will simply be used in place of your current
dialup networking and shouldn't affect your printserver network at all.

Comcast will, for an extra monthly change, provide you with their "Home
Networking" package. With this you get a combined modem/router wireless
gateway that will support a maximum of 5 devices, up to 4 of which can
use wired connections to the gateway's RJ-45 ports. The problem with
this service is that the router will be running with Comcast's own
crippled firmware, and that leaves Comcast's customer service droids as
your only option for support (such as it is).

Don't do it! Buy your own router for $50 to $70. It will pay for
itself within a year in reduced monthly charges. Comcast has some very
good user-to-user (mostly) technical support forums with a lot more
expertise than you will likely find at a customer service desk. Any of
the major brands (Linksys, D-Link, Netgear, Buffalo, ...) should work
just fine. Do get a wireless router, even if you don't plan on using
that feature now. They are easier to find and generally cost no more
than the non-wireless variety and typically include the same four RJ-45
wired LAN connections. You can (and should) disable the wireless
feature if you do not need it, but you probably will want it for your
laptop.

Do not under any circumstances buy a combo modem/router gateway, though.
Because it includes the modem function, Comcast _will_ install their
custom firmware, leaving you with a completely unsupported device.
Comcast won't provide help for problems with a user-owned router, and no
one else can help because it's Comcast's custom firmware.

The argument for owning your own modem is less clear. Yes, you avoid
the $3 or so monthly fee, but with a rented modem there is no
finger-pointing to "your" modem if you are having signal problems, and
you can just walk into your local Comcast office and exchange it if you
suspect problems or need an upgrade. Plus, if you are living in an area
where lightning strikes are common, the modem is the thing that is most
exposed. That one's your call. I own my modem because the rebates
available at the time more than covered its cost. YMMV.

--
Bob Nichols AT comcast.net I am "RNichols42"
.

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