How to Install a Router to a Cable Modem

By David Sandoval

Cable modems can be connected to a router to share a high-speed Internet connection.
i DSL Modem Detail image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com

Many high-speed Internet services (such as cable Internet) provide a connection for only one computer on their modems. However, households with more than one computer (as well as small businesses) will normally require more than one computer to connect to the Internet simultaneously.

One means by which to share an Internet connection across several computers is by using a router. The router connects directly to the satellite, DSL or cable modem, and handles data requests from each computer in turn.

Step 1

Plug one end of the first Ethernet cable into the "Computer" port on the cable modem. Plug the other end of this cable into the "Ethernet," "LAN" or "Uplink" port on the router.

Step 2

Plug one end of the second Ethernet cable into one of the free ports on the router. Plug the other end of this cable into the network adapter on the computer.

Step 3

Turn on the computer. Run the router setup program from the CD-ROM drive. Click "Finished" when the router setup program has finished running.

Step 4

To verify that the router is working properly, open a web browser window on your computer's desktop, and type in a website address (such as "http://www.cnn.com" or "http://www.google.com").

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