How to Use a Cable Modem as a Wired Router
Routers can be expensive pieces of hardware. Wireless routers often run up to $100, and standard wired ones often cost nearly half of that. It's a shame that more consumers don't realize that they can use their cable modem as a wired router to provide internet connectivity to two separate locations. Not only does this save money, but it also saves a lot of hassle dealing with poor routers and the updating process of router driver software. Here's how to use your cable modem as a wired router.
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Instructions
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Hook your cable modem up to your Internet provider as per their instructions. Generally speaking, this will include running a cable connection, just like the one that goes to your television if you have cable TV service from outside your home to your cable modem. Most cable companies offer to do this installation themselves for a nominal fee or even at no additional cost.
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Locate an ethernet cable and USB cable for your cable modem. Most times, your cable modem will come with the connection cables. Otherwise, you'll have to purchase the cables at an electronics or computer hardware store.
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Make sure that the ethernet cable and USB cable are long enough to reach from your cable modem to the two separate locations to which you wish to route the internet.
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Hook the USB cable up to the back of your cable modem in the USB cable input and then use the USB cable to connect to the closest of your two computers.
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Hook the ethernet cable up to the back of your cable modem in the ethernet cable input and then use the ethernet cable to connect to the furthest away computer.
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Use your cable modem hooked up in this way as a router connecting two separate computers.
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Tips & Warnings
It's best to use the ethernet cable to connect the furthest away computer if you have to buy a cable that's long enough, because ethernet cable is generally less expensive than USB cable of a similar length.
Your cable modem will only work as a wired router to two different locations. If you need to connect more computers, it's best to go ahead and buy a standard router.
