Broadband Sharing by Router - A Step By Step Guide
 

Summary

This guide covers the basic steps to setup a network on cable broadband using a router. Please ensure you have purchased a cable compatible broadband router. A router that includes an ADSL modem will probably be incompatible. A hub or switch will not work.

If any parts of the guide confuse you or you are unsure about any aspect of the setup please post and we will be happy to help you.

The Setup

1. Power down all your equiptment. That includes the set top box / Stand alone cable modem, router and all computers. Next connect the cable modem / set top box to the routers wan port. The wan port should be clearly marked on the router. The type of cable you need to use depends on the modem you have. Check the back of your set top box for the cable type.
2. Connect the computers or playstation's to the routers ports. Most routers have 4 ports on them. The cables between the router and the clients must be normal cat5/6 network cable. Do not use cross over cables as this can cause problems with comunication.
3. When all the cables have been conected you are ready to power up all of your equiptment. First you need to power up the cable modem or set top box. It is very important that you let the cable modem/set top box settle down before proceeding. You now need to power up the router. The router will take a few minutes to settle down. The wan light ( if present ) should now be lit. You are now ready to power up your computer. Only power up the one computer for now. Once you have configured one computer you will find it easy to set up the rest. Once the pc has booted into windows you need to check the ip address of the computer. Do this by clicking on the start button and then clicking on run. In the box that apears type command.com and press enter. A black box will now apear with a flashing cursor on it. Now type ipconfig and press enter. Several lines of information will apear, one of these will have IP Address next to it. This number should start with 192 on most routers. If you have any other number please post for assistance.
4. Setting up the router - most routers are set up from the factory with some basic settings that will give you access to the internet. You may need to change some of these settings. Consult the user guide for the router for full setup details. The options for routers are so vast that they can not be covered on this guide. Please RTFM first then post for help.
5. There is no step 5 - You are done. Sit back and enjoy your broadband on any computer you have connected or blast bad guys on your ps2.....

Some things to remember :-

If you are connecting via a Set Top Box, the router will be detected by the ntl network as a new computer. Don't panic, when you try to browse you should be taken to the ntl registration page automatically. Just input your customer details from your oroiginal broadband installation letter. Alternatively you can mess with the router's configuration and clone the MAC address of the PC that was known to ntl, into the router.

You have a finite amount of bandwidth on the cable modem and router. This means that you should not expect full speed downloads if another computer is downloading ect.

If you are using a wireless network on the router then please ensure that you apply the security settings in your user guide once you have the wireless computers working. Nearby users with wireless cards can use your connection and monitor trafic if security is not used. WEP, Mac Filtering and SSID withholding can help make your network secure from all but the most determined naughty people :)

If using wireless newtworks and you wish to share files with a wired connection computer, ensure all are setup to use the same network name i.e. "MSHome". You must also select the correct operation mode of the network, usually "infrastructure", as you first establish the wireless settings and configuration.

I hope this guide is helpfull to you - If you have any questions please dont hesitate to post them after you read the user guide enclosed with the product.
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/at...achmentid=1090

Information on this article is discussed in this thread

Originally Posted by Stuartbe