Expert: Brad King Date: 4/9/2008 Subject: Cable connection with a router?
Question Hello, I hope you're able to answer this question for me. I am not an expert as you will see so please excuse me if I just confuse you with my question. I have Internet access with a cable company (Comcast, in Houston TX), I will start working a couple of days a week from home with a company laptop and would like to be able to use the same Internet connection and modem to do so but without having to disconnect my home computer every time. I've been told by friends that I just need to get a router, this way both computers can be connected and running at the same time. Is this true? I contacted my cable company but they want me to subscribe to this home networking feature that will cost me around $170 to install plus $15/month (because it would be a wireless modem), they have told me the router will not work like that so I need to get this deal from them. I'm really trying to avoid extra payments since my company will not reimburse. I hope you can help so I can make a wise decision. Thank you!
Answer Seila,
Your friends are correct when they say all you need is a router. A four port wireless router should be available in your area. I am assuming your laptop has a wireless capability to connect you to Internet. If not the router would have a connection to allow you to use a cat5 cable to connect via a wire. There are numerous website's that sale wireless routers; www.tigerpaw.com is a good place to start your search. If you have a radio shack, circuit city or best buy in your area, they would all carry this wireless router. Also they most likely would have software included to help you with setup and installation. Good luck and I hope this has helped.
Brad
