can I have one computer plugged in the modem and one in the router?

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ruffen

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Jan 2, 2014
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10,510
I bought a new All-in-One computer and I have it plugged directly into my router.(Netgear)
I have a modem with 4 jacks and I plugged my old computer in there.
Is it advisable to plug my new computer in the modem too or can I just leave it as is?
I am a bit confused about having 2 computers on the same modem...even though I have a router that acts like a splitter..

Thank you for your help,

Christine
 
Solution
Onus
A modem typically has a single jack (possibly one Ethernet and one USB). If it has multiple Ethernet jacks, then it is also a router.
I currently have two ISPs, Comcast and Frontiernet. I did this because a couple of years ago, Comcast was experiencing daily dropouts. Comcast uses a cable modem (which I own), and I plug it into a Netgear router which has all my devices attached. If Comcast drops (thankfully a rarity now), I unplug its 1' WAN cable and plug it into the Frontiernet device, which is a modem + router. Moving all the devices individually would require reconfiguring my LAN printer connections; this way it doesn't.
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ldewitt

ldewitt

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Sep 27, 2013
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If you get internet connectivity from both computers its fine to leave it how it is. I'm wondering if you have a modem with 4 jacks on it what is the point of the router? Just plug both the computers into the modem.
 
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nukemaster

nukemaster

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Nov 23, 2004
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If your modem has more than one plug chances are it is a modem/router combination. You can always ask your isp to be sure as some used to actually charge for additional computers. When a router is used they see only one system and the router deals with ensuring all systems get access and sending incoming packets of data to the right systems.

The only downside to having one router behind another(assuming the modem is also a router) is that computers may not be able to see one another on the local network. If the modem is a router, you can turn DHCP off(making the router act as just a switch) on the netgear and connect the modem to one of its lan ports(not wan/internet port) allowing the computers to all be on the same network and communicate.
 
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Onus

Onus

Titan
Jan 27, 2006
37,037
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A modem typically has a single jack (possibly one Ethernet and one USB). If it has multiple Ethernet jacks, then it is also a router.
I currently have two ISPs, Comcast and Frontiernet. I did this because a couple of years ago, Comcast was experiencing daily dropouts. Comcast uses a cable modem (which I own), and I plug it into a Netgear router which has all my devices attached. If Comcast drops (thankfully a rarity now), I unplug its 1' WAN cable and plug it into the Frontiernet device, which is a modem + router. Moving all the devices individually would require reconfiguring my LAN printer connections; this way it doesn't.
 
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