Difficulty of connecting to cable modem thru Ethernet hub?

JohnnyBoy

At the moment, my cable modem connects directly to my Mini using an Ethernet cable.

If I wanted to share my cable modem between the Mini and my MacBook using a 5-port Ethernet hub I've got in the attic, how much trouble would it be to modify OS X's settings for this?

Also, how would I correctly assign Ethernet addresses to everything that's connected to the hub (modem, Mini, MB)??? Confused

(If these questions are really basic, please forgive me. It's been a LONG while since I set up a simple network -- and even then, I was bloody hopeless Rolling Eyes

)
_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

usarcher · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

Hubs are bad for sharing a connection, switches are the way to go. That being said, your internet provider might hit your bill up for having 2 units hooked up to the one connection. If you get a router, than the company will only see the one device on their end, but you will be able to share the connection to all your devices.

Cypher · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

I wouldn't have thought it would work using a hub and if it did it (very doubtful) it wouldn't be very secure.

Normally you would connect a router between your local network and the cable modem. The router would also act as a DHCP server and issue IP addresses to the local network and the router would get the IP address of your internet connection.

Routers are really cheap nowadays so probably better to replace the hub with a router.
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

usarcher · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject:

One other thing you could do is leave the mini plugged into the modem directly and then share out the internet connection through the mini's airport. Just create a local network and share out through it.

JohnnyBoy · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. When you say 'router', do you mean the wireless routers with the rubber aerial on the back?

usarcher · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject:

You can get wired or wireless routers. Since you will be using a MacBook, you should probably look into a wireless one. Get one with extra ports on the back and you can keep the mini wired.

Could you connect the MB to the mini wirelessly with the password and just not get on the net, or was there no connection at all?

JohnnyBoy · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:16 pm Post subject:

JohnnyBoy · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject:

Okay... at this very moment, I'm sitting in the lounge surfing 123MM on my MacBook which is connected to my Mini's broadband connection via Airport.

It took me so long to get the two of them talking to each other that I haven't dared try to impose password security on the wi-fi link. I think that will be the next thing to try... Confused

_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

usarcher · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:47 am Post subject:

Do you have anyone close by that could pick up your signal? If not you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

JohnnyBoy · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

Well I can quite easily pick up at least 3 neighbours' wi-fi networks from inside my house... so I imagine that they can do the same to mine.

I've got Virgin cable broadband, so I've been investigating "DSL routers". This seems to be a good one: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/48546
_________________
Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

Cypher · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:23 pm Post subject:

If you have Cable, then you don't need a DSL router.

DSL routers usually have an ADSL modem built in. I have a Belkin Cable router which is just a wireless router with a built in switch. ie no modem you plug you NTL / virgin cable modem into it via an ethernet cable

If I was in your position I would probably consider a Time Capsule or Airport Extreme.
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

Cypher · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject:

Just checked out your link Johnny, I should have done that first LOL

It’s a Cable/DSL router and it does needs a separate modem so should be fine for what you want.
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S

hackersmovie · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 3:33 pm Post subject:

JohnnyBoy · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:12 am Post subject:

Cypher · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

That’s the same modem as I have Johnny. It’s a cable modem not a DSL modem.

The blue ethernet cable plugged in the back will currently go to you mini's ethernet port. The new router will likely have 5 ethernet ports on the back, the 4 close together will be the 4 port switch and the other one on its own will be the outgoing network connection WAN (ie the internet)

You plug the mini into the 4 port switch on the router, any one of the 4 ports will do, then connect an ethernet cable between your cable modem and the internet WAN port on the router.
_________________
Phil

Mac Mini 2.53GHz - iMac 2.0Ghz - Macbook Pro 2.4GHz - iPad 1 32GB 3G
6TB Netgear Ready NAS NV+ - 6TB Drobo S


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