How to Reconfigure Comcast Cable Modem to Work with New Router

Configure the Comcast cable modem to recognize a new router.

Home and small business users of Comcast's High Speed Internet service are connected to the Internet through a cable modem. You can connect a router to the cable modem; in turn, the router connects to multiple computers in your local network. You need to follow a few steps to configure the cable modem to recognize a new router.

Things You'll Need

• Two Ethernet cables

Instructions

1. Power down the cable modem. Most cable modems have no on/off switch; if that is the case, unplug the modem from its power connection.

2. Turn on the new router. Connect an Ethernet cable to the router's "WAN" port. Connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port on the modem.

3. Connect a computer to any of the numbered router ports, typically labeled "1" through "4," using the other Ethernet cable.

4. Launch a web browser on the computer, then go to the configuration Web address for the router. This address depends on the router. For example, for a Linksys WRT54GS router, the address is 192.168.1.1. The browser will display the main menu of the configuration utility.

5. Configure the basic characteristics of the wireless network. For example, for a WRT54GS, click "Wireless," then "Basic Wireless Settings." Enter a name of your choice for the network. Click "Save Settings."

6. Power up the cable modem. When it boots, it will recognize the new router through its new MAC address and establish the connection to the Comcast network.

Resources

• Retrevo: User Guide for Linksys WRT54GS