Installing Cable internet

[bucolic_frolic]

So I think I've gotten as far as this:
1) Service must be activated by the cable company, and I need a DOCSIS3.1 cable modem
2)Then I connect the router into the modem.
3) need to configure the router and Wifi software. This is the real stumbling block.

How do I know if the router is suitable for this? I use a very old modem, about 10 years old, but also have a newer one about 5 years old, an Actiontec GT784WNV. It has a DSL modem, wireless networking, and full routing capability, says Verizon.

I use one PC via Wifi, I can also use ethernet. I wanted to connect a USB printer wirelessly, and a desktop Wifi PC as well, but never got that far.

Thanks for any insight you can give. It's time to ditch the landline. Cable internet is cheaper, and 20 times faster. This is a project for this year. Verizon does charge a disconnect fee.

[msongs]

1. cable company should have a list of acceptable hardware nt

[Hotler]

2. I have a single wifi-cable-modem, all 1-unit.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/promo/arris-wifi-cable-modems, And as the other post mentions look for one to fit your cable provider.

Something like this.

[Timewas]

3. I imagine

That the ISP will provide a cable modem,that you can either buy or rent/lease at the time of installation. That has been my experience.

[erronis]

4. As long as your modem has an ethernet port to connect to the router, you're probably OK

So, you need an RJ35 port on the modem (pretty standard), a RJ35 (twisted pair) cable, and the similar port on the router.
RJ35: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registered_jack

The modems are generally only configurable at the host (cable company) end.

The router will probably have an input jack for the cable from the router. These are labeled differently, but the output jacks usually are 1,2,3,4,etc.

You'll need to follow the router's instructions to connect to the modem. Generally that may have to be done by direct-connecting a PC to the router (so there's no WIFI connection needed).

You should be able to get the router to be a WiFi hotspot, as well as a direct-connect (cabled). Printers and computers need to be told the WiFi login/password (which you'll establish).

It's tricky and sometimes breaks for no apparent reason. But when it works, it's magic. My partner and myself use both printers and other peripherals from anywhere in the house from multiple devices without problems.

Now, to pull out a good book to read tonight!

[LuvLoogie]

5. Get new stuff if you can afford it.

How much bandwidth are you buying? Also consider that a consumer router with wifi, might not provide enough coverage at a decent strength. I'd recommend and Arris Surfboard cable modem and a home wifi system. I have an Eero wifi system with 3 access points, one of which is configured as the gateway router.

[usonian]

6. IIRC, cable modems have wireless hotspot built-in, ethernet jacks and maybe USB.

You should need only the one box, as stated above, compatible with the cable company’s list.

The USB printer, if ONLY USB, will need to plug into either that cablebox/router/hotspot box (see the docs for the unit you plan to buy, if you can plug a USB printer into it!) or some other (first steps first). Most printers do have wireless capability, a pain in the ass to type in the wireless password, because they only have numeric keypads at best. If so, no wires are needed to anything (but power).

I personally use ethernet with as many devices as possible. Fastest, dead reliable, and always works with no setup (DHCP protocol just works).

Your old DSL modem probably has no ability to connect to cable. That’s why they call it a DSL modem.

Good luck.