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maleboog's avatar
maleboog
New Contributor
8 years ago

Wired/Wireless Combo

Hi, I hope I don't make this too confusing. So, in room A, I have the cable modem (with only one output LAN port). I also have my TV and a DVR in the same room, and want to hook them up to the internet. In Room B, is where I have my router, that will give wireless to the rest of the house. I needed to move the router to that other room for total coverage. 1. Optimally, I would like to add a LAN switch right after the Cable modem and hook into the Room A items. Then another port I will send to my Router and thus make it wireless for the rest of the house. Room A stuff does not need to be inside my home network (the wireless side), so not concerned about that. I have been reading and they said its not a good idea to put a switch between the modem and the router, as it might get confused. Or I can insert the switch on the output of the router and just run LAN cables from the switch in room B to Room A tv and DVR. I don't want to use the electric outlet LAN adapters. Which would be best? Like I said best is to insert the switch between the output of the modem and the input of the router. Everything is Gigabit. Thanks in advance! Curt
  • DannyS's avatar
    DannyS
    Moderator
    8 years ago
    Hello, With residential modems configured to allow a single IP path, connecting a dumb switch behind the modem is not going to be practical as all devices will end up fighting for the one WAN IP and will just cause conflicts. The only solutions would be to install a router behind the modem and connect the devices up in that room and run a cat cable over to the other room and install the dumb switch there. If WiFi coverage is an issue where the modem is, then reverse the set up and you would need to run 2 cat cables to install the router in the other room and run the return wire back to install the switch in the room with the modem to cover the remaining items. It may be pricey but you could also convert the account into a small business account. They allow multiple paths on a single modem. You can have up to 8 paths on a single modem so a dumb switch could be installed behind the modem and installed the way you would like to install the way you would like to.