How to Create a Home LAN With Comcast

Comcast provides cable Internet services to the home and small business consumer. Most Comcast internet connections are made through a cable modem, which only has one Ethernet output port to connect to a computer. If you have more than one computer, purchasing multiple modems is not a practical idea, but you can create a Local Area Network (LAN) by connecting your computers to the internet with a router or a special Comcast Gateway Modem.

Things You'll Need

• Comcast Gateway modem
• Router

Instructions

Creating LAN with Router

1. Unplug the power cords from your cable modem and router.

2. Connect the cable modem to the router with an Ethernet cord. Plug one end of the cord into the “Internet” port on the cable modem. Plug the other end into the “Internet” port on the router. Do not plug the Ethernet cord into one of the ports marked with a number.

3. Connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cord. Plug one end of the cord into your computer’s Ethernet port. Plug the other end into one of the numbered Ethernet ports on the router. Repeat this step for every computer on the LAN.

4. Plug the power cord into the cable modem. Wait until the lights on the modem begin to blink, then plug the power cable into the router. Once the modem and the router indicate that they have a connection, test the connection by using your computers to access the internet.

Creating LAN with Comcast Gateway

1. Unplug the power cord from your Comcast Gateway modem.

2. Connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cord. Plug one end of the cord into your computer’s Ethernet port. Plug the other end into one of the numbered Ethernet ports on the Gateway device. Repeat this step for every computer on the LAN.

3. Plug the power cord into the Gateway modem. Wait until the “Internet Connection” indicator activates before attempting to use your internet connection. Test the connection by using your computers to access the internet.

Tips & Warnings

• Comcast provides a list of officially supported routers on its website.

References

• Comcast Customer Central: Basic Information about Comcast Supported Routers, Gateways, and Adapters