How to Expand the Number of Ports on a DSL Modem

DSL routers combine DSL modems with a router.

DSL modems can come as stand-alone modems that just convert your telephone line's DSL signal into something your computer can understand. Because many people use their DSL connection with more than one computer, you can also get a DSL modem with a router built in to do this. The router is where the ports are located, but for some people, the usual four ports on these DSL combo routers just aren't enough. You can add more ports without much difficulty.

Things You'll Need

• Router
• Network cable

Instructions

1. Plug a standard router into one of the available ports on the DSL router. You will connect an Ethernet cable from any of the second router's ports to the DSL router's ports.

2. Connect a computer with another network cable from the computer's network card to a port on the second router.

3. Open a Web browser and enter that router's IP address, followed by the username and password. This information is in the manual or sometimes on the router. Change the setting to make sure DHCP is not selected for assigning IP addresses. You can now use any port on either router.