[quote name='D_Icon']I just came back from Staples empty handed
. While the guy was getting the router for me (behind glass case) he asked me what kind of internet I had. I told him comcast cable internet, he then asked me if I was getting a wireless service from Comcast? I said just regular Cable internet, he then told me I wouldn't be able to use the router until I get the wireless service first?
So I need to order wireless internet service from comcast before using a router?[/QUOTE]
#-o
Never trust somebody with their name on their shirt.
Comcast or any other ISP might want to charge you extra for wireless access. However, their system only cares about MAC addresses.
Have you tried?
http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/Help.aspx
http://customer.comcast.com/Pages/SearchResults.aspx?terms=wireless
Home Networking 101
What is a home network? A home network is a series of Internet devices (PC's, gaming consoles, PDA's) connected together. A home network may consist of several PC's, gaming consoles, etc - all in different rooms. When you connect multiple devices together in a home network, you can share files, printers and your Internet connection.
What is a router?
A router is a networking device that connects multiple networks together, for example, your home network and the Internet (the world's largest network). A router allows each of your Internet devices to share the same cable modem Internet connection.
Are there different types of home networks?
There are two kinds of home networks, wired and wireless. The most basic difference is that wired networks communicate through data cables, while wireless networks communicate through radio signals.
Things to Remember When Setting up or Changing Your Home Network
When your computer is connected directly to your cable modem, you are provided with an IP address lease that is bound to your computer's Media Access Control (MAC) address. Each cable modem is assigned only one IP address. If you reconfigure your home network, or if you purchase a new router, you will need to release your IP address before reconfiguring or plugging in your new router. If your IP address is not released, the reconfigured or new router cannot be recognized on Comcast's servers. After you have released your IP address, you can reconfigure or add your new router and your IP address can be obtained.
To release the IP configured for your Comcast Cable modem or eMTA (Digital Voice modem) follow these steps:
For a cable modem:
- Shut down your computer
- Disconnect the power supply from your cable modem
- Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your cable modem
- Connect the Ethernet cable for your router (link port) to the cable modem
- Connect the Ethernet cable for the port recommended by the router manufacturer to your computer
- Turn on the cable modem and allow it to cycle through and lock onto the network (approximately 90 seconds)
- Turn on your router and allow it to cycle through (approximately 90 seconds) at this point, the router has obtained a new IP address from Comcast
- Turn on your computer. You will notice the computer now has the private IP range provided by the router
- Configure your router in compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines
For an eMTA (Digital Voice) modem:
- Shut down your computer
- Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your cable modem
- Connect the Ethernet cable for your router (link port) to the cable modem
- Connect the Ethernet cable for the port recommended by the router manufacturer to your computer
- Powercycle the eMTA - to do this, take a ball point pen and lightly depress the reset button on the back of your eMTA
Warning: Never remove the battery and then disconnect it from the power supply to powercycle an eMTA. Allow it to cycle through and lock onto the network (approximately 90 seconds).
- Turn on your router and allow it to cycle through (approximately 90 seconds). At this point, the router has obtained an IP address from Comcast
- Turn on your computer. You will notice the computer now has the private IP range provided by the router
- Configure the router in compliance with the manufacturer's guidelines
If your computer does not obtain a private IP address from your router, try the following steps.
To release your IP address, follow the steps below for your operating system:
Windows Vista
- Click Start and then click All Programs
- Click Accessories
- Right click on Command Prompt
- Select Run as Administrator
- Type ipconfig/release and then click Enter
Windows XP/2000
- Click the Start menu in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and click Run
- In the space provided, type ipconfig/release and click ok
Note: There is a space between ipconfig and /release
Mac OS 10.x
- Close any open Internet applications (Web browsers, email, etc.)
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu
- Choose Network from the View menu
- Choose Active Network Ports from the Show menu
- Deselect the on checkbox for the port you use to connect to the Internet (Built-in Ethernet, Airport, etc.)
- Click Apply Now
The image below gives a basic outline of what a typical home network may look like.
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If you're still confused, reread the above.