How to Connect a Router to a DSL Modem
A digital subscriber line connection, or DSL, is used to connect a computer to the Internet using a telephone service. A special modem is used to translate the digital signals received from the telephone service provider into data that a computer can use to communicate with other computers on the Internet.
However, a typical DSL modem has only one Ethernet connection port. For multiple computers to use the DSL Internet connection, a DSL router can be installed. A DSL router allows for the connection of multiple computers to the DSL service.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer with network adapter card
- Two Category-5 network patch cables
- DSL modem
- DSL router
- Telephone service with DSL service enabled
- Telephone jack
- Telephone cable
Instructions
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Plug one end of the telephone cable into the telephone jack. Plug the other end of the telephone cable into the "Telephone" or "DSL" port of the DSL modem. Plug one end of one of the Category-5 network cable into the "Network" port of the DSL modem. Plug the other end of that cable into the "Uplink" port of the DSL router (If the DSL router does not have an "Uplink" port, plug the cable into the network port designated as "Port 1").
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Plug one end of the second Category-5 network cable into the computer's network adapter card. Plug the other end of that cable into one of the open ports on the DSL router. It doesn't matter which port this connection is plugged into, as long as it is not either "Port 1" or the "Uplink" port.
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3
Check the DSL modem--it should have a flashing light labeled "Connection," "Activity," "Traffic," or a similar designation. Check the DSL router as well--it should have at least two (one representing the network uplink, and one each representing any computer connection) flashing indicator lights, also named "Connection," "Traffic," "Activity," or something similar. If both of these conditions are met, the router is successfully connected to the DSL modem.
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Tips & Warnings
If the "Activity" light is flashing on the DSL modem, but not on the DSL router, the data connection between them is faulty. The most common problem is a loose or faulty network cable. Typically, replacing the network cable will fix the problem.
