Help w/ hooking up 2 computers to a modem

I've hooked the modem to an Ethernet switch and the 2 comps (both
running WinXP SP2) with CAT5 ethernet cables. First computer is
connected fine (your proof is this post) but the 2nd computer ain't
obtaining an IP address. The lights on the switch confirm the port is
in operation. My ISP said they don't do technical support for Ethernet
switches -- that it's a matter of plug and play if it really worked,
hence I waste y'alls precious time with this post.

What could I have fucked up? Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Andy
Wed May 14 00:31:18 PDT 2008

On Tue, 13 May 2008 23:20:55 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
<industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote:

>I've hooked the modem to an Ethernet switch and the 2 comps (both
>running WinXP SP2) with CAT5 ethernet cables. First computer is
>connected fine (your proof is this post) but the 2nd computer ain't
>obtaining an IP address. The lights on the switch confirm the port is
>in operation. My ISP said they don't do technical support for Ethernet
>switches -- that it's a matter of plug and play if it really worked,
>hence I waste y'alls precious time with this post.
>
>What could I have fucked up? Any ideas?

Does the modem have a router in it?

>
>Thanks in advance.

Industrial
Wed May 14 00:55:31 PDT 2008

On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
> Does the modem have a router in it?

No.

Andy
Wed May 14 03:07:56 PDT 2008

On Wed, 14 May 2008 00:55:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
<industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>> Does the modem have a router in it?
>
>No.

You need one. Otherwise you have to use something like Windows XP
Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

Industrial
Wed May 14 03:20:31 PDT 2008

On May 14, 4:07 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 00:55:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
>
> <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> >On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
> >> Does the modem have a router in it?
>
> >No.
>
> You need one. Otherwise you have to use something like Windows XP
> Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).

Wise cracks aside, lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
router are interchangable. Technically a modem is a dumb device that
only accepts and forwards connections, a router is a computer itself
that manages the connections/packets more intelligently. I believe my
modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.

Lanwench
Wed May 14 05:44:15 PDT 2008

Industrial One <industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On May 14, 4:07 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>> On Wed, 14 May 2008 00:55:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
>>
>> <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>>>> Does the modem have a router in it?
>>
>>> No.
>>
>> You need one. Otherwise you have to use something like Windows XP
>> Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
>
> Wise cracks aside,

Hmmm. I didn't notice any wisecracking. But pardon my rudely jumping in.....

> lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
> router are interchangable.

Nope...

> Technically a modem is a dumb device that
> only accepts and forwards connections,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modem

>a router is a computer itself
> that manages the connections/packets more intelligently.

It can be a cheap & cheerful hardware appliance, and in the context here,
likely is a simple NetGear, Linksys, D-Link device. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router for a definition of routers in general.
Note that in the home/small office context, what you may see labeled as a
"router" is not actually a router at all, but rather a simple gateway device
that allows you to share one internet connection amongst several devices on
a LAN, doing NAT (network address translation).

Your network would be configured something like this:

[DSL/cable connection]
|
[modem (usually ISP's)]
|
[router - WAN IP, xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx or configured via DHCP from the
modem
and LAN IP, such as 192.168.0.1/24]
|
|--- integrated or separate Ethernet switch----|
| | | |
workstations (using 192.168.0.0/24 network)

The "router" here should also have some firewall capabilities.

> I believe my
> modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.

Not likely to be a true router, but I suppose it's possible it could be a
gateway appliance. You'd have to look it up.

Bob
Wed May 14 05:48:30 PDT 2008



Industrial One wrote:

> On May 14, 4:07 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>
>>On Wed, 14 May 2008 00:55:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
>>
>><industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>>>
>>>>Does the modem have a router in it?
>>
>>>No.
>>
>>You need one. Otherwise you have to use something like Windows XP
>>Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
>
>
> Wise cracks aside, lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
> router are interchangable. Technically a modem is a dumb device that
> only accepts and forwards connections, a router is a computer itself
> that manages the connections/packets more intelligently. I believe my
> modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.

Review examples,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=modem+router

Industrial
Wed May 14 06:24:06 PDT 2008

On May 14, 6:44 am, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwe...@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
> >> You need one. Otherwise you have to use something like Windows XP
> >> Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
>
> > Wise cracks aside,
>
> Hmmm. I didn't notice any wisecracking. But pardon my rudely jumping in.....
>
> > lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
> > router are interchangable.
>
> Nope...

add "by common belief" there.

> > Technically a modem is a dumb device that
> > only accepts and forwards connections,
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modem

Exactly.

> >a router is a computer itself
> > that manages the connections/packets more intelligently.
>
> It can be a cheap & cheerful hardware appliance, and in the context here,
> likely is a simple NetGear, Linksys, D-Link device. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Routerfor a definition of routers in general.
> Note that in the home/small office context, what you may see labeled as a
> "router" is not actually a router at all, but rather a simple gateway device
> that allows you to share one internet connection amongst several devices on
> a LAN, doing NAT (network address translation).

Heh... So many people confuse "router" with a shitload of other
network devices it became a real mindfuck for me. So forgive the
current and any future retardation.

>
> Your network would be configured something like this:
>
> [DSL/cable connection]
> |
> [modem (usually ISP's)]
> |
> [router - WAN IP, xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx or configured via DHCP from the
> modem
> and LAN IP, such as 192.168.0.1/24]
> |
> |--- integrated or separate Ethernet switch----|
> | | | |
> workstations (using 192.168.0.0/24 network)
>
> The "router" here should also have some firewall capabilities.
>
> > I believe my
> > modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.
>
> Not likely to be a true router, but I suppose it's possible it could be a
> gateway appliance. You'd have to look it up.

To clarify a couple things and prevent confusion, I only got one
network device. My ISPs modem. No secondary appliance or anything
(except the switch I just bought.) Are you saying that routers are
sometimes internally integrated into the modem?

My WAN IP is my LAN IP, if that makes sense. I'm not aware of a LAN IP
unless I uncheck obtaining an IP address automatically and force in
192.168.0.1.

smlunatick
Wed May 14 07:29:31 PDT 2008

Most "high speed" Internet service modems are "bridging" devices and that is
all. The Internet service will be assigning an IP to the PC's connection to
the modem.



On 14/05/2008 Industrial One <industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote:
>On May 14, 4:07 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>> On Wed, 14 May 2008 00:55:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
>>
>> <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>> >> Does the modem have a router in it?
>>
>> >No.
>>
>> You need one. Otherwise you have to use something like Windows XP
>> Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
>
>Wise cracks aside, lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
>router are interchangable. Technically a modem is a dumb device that
>only accepts and forwards connections, a router is a computer itself
>that manages the connections/packets more intelligently. I believe my
>modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.

Jack
Wed May 14 08:33:15 PDT 2008

Hi
Check the computer IP while connected to the Internet.
If the IP is of the 198.168.xxx.xxx (or any other of the private subnets,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mancini/Subnetwork#Subnets_and_host_count
) then it is a Modem/Router combo.
Jack (MVP-Networking).

"Industrial One" <industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:978607f7-ded2-453d-8910-908537fb51ed@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
> On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>> Does the modem have a router in it?
>
> No.

Ken
Wed May 14 09:05:32 PDT 2008

On Wed, 14 May 2008 03:20:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
<industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote:


> Wise cracks aside, lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
> router are interchangable.


No.


> Technically a modem is a dumb device that
> only accepts and forwards connections,


No.

The term "modem" is short for "modulator-demodulator." Technically,
it's a device that converts the analog signal on the telephone line to
the digital signal needed by a computer, and vice-versa. Technically,
any device that doesn't do that analog to digital conversion is not a
modem (but see below).



> a router is a computer itself
> that manages the connections/packets more intelligently. I believe my
> modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.


A router is a networking device. It's one type of device that permits
you to send data from one computer on your network to another computer
on the network. Note that a router has nothing to do with connecting
to the phone line (or cable service). As a matter of fact, by itself,
it has nothing to do with the internet at all.

A device that connects to a high-speed internet connection is properly
called a "gateway," not a modem, because that high-speed internet
connection is digital to begin with. So there's no analog to digital
conversion, no modulating or demodulating is required, and the term
"modem" is technically inappropriate.

However, the difference between a modem and a gateway is not widely
known, and the term "modem" is widely used for both types of devices.
Some people strenuously object to this usage, because it's not
technically correct. My personal feeling is that, leaving aside the
analog to digital conversion issue, both devices do essentially the
same thing--they connect a computer (or network) to the internet.
Since there is no term that is really correct for any device that
connects a computer to the internet, and since the term "modem" is so
widely used for this, I think insisting that a gateway not be
called a modem is just rigid and inflexible. Despite the original
meaning of the term, for all practical purposes, calling that DSL or
cable device on your desk a "modem" is far and away the best thing to
do. Like so many English words, the word "modem" has changed its
meaning over time.

A router by itself doesn't connect to the internet. If you have a
device that does, it's a combination of a router and a DSL modem in a
single box.

Such combination boxes are becoming more common, but some of us have
individual boxes. In my home, I have a separate cable modem and a
router.


--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Industrial
Wed May 14 09:10:53 PDT 2008

On May 14, 9:33 am, "Jack \(MVP-Networking\)."
<j...@discussiongroup.com> wrote:
> Hi
> Check the computer IP while connected to the Internet.
> If the IP is of the 198.168.xxx.xxx (or any other of the private subnets,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mancini/Subnetwork#Subnets_and_host...
> ) then it is a Modem/Router combo.
> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> "Industrial One" <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:978607f7-ded2-453d-8910-908537fb51ed@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
> > On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
> >> Does the modem have a router in it?
>
> > No.

There is no IP, just blank. 'Said it failed to obtain the IP address.

Lanwench
Wed May 14 09:22:29 PDT 2008

Industrial One <industrial_one@hotmail.com> wrote:
> On May 14, 9:33 am, "Jack \(MVP-Networking\)."
> <j...@discussiongroup.com> wrote:
>> Hi
>> Check the computer IP while connected to the Internet.
>> If the IP is of the 198.168.xxx.xxx (or any other of the private
>> subnets,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mancini/Subnetwork#Subnets_and_host...
>> ) then it is a Modem/Router combo.
>> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>>
>> "Industrial One" <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:978607f7-ded2-453d-8910-908537fb51ed@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>>
>>> On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
>>>> Does the modem have a router in it?
>>
>>> No.
>
> There is no IP, just blank. 'Said it failed to obtain the IP address.

Please review the myriad, detailed replies you've already got in this
thread....

Industrial
Wed May 14 12:10:52 PDT 2008

On May 14, 10:22 am, "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]"
<lanwe...@heybuddy.donotsendme.unsolicitedmailatyahoo.com> wrote:
> Industrial One <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > On May 14, 9:33 am, "Jack \(MVP-Networking\)."
> > <j...@discussiongroup.com> wrote:
> >> Hi
> >> Check the computer IP while connected to the Internet.
> >> If the IP is of the 198.168.xxx.xxx (or any other of the private
> >> subnets,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mancini/Subnetwork#Subnets_and_host...
> >> ) then it is a Modem/Router combo.
> >> Jack (MVP-Networking).
>
> >> "Industrial One" <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:978607f7-ded2-453d-8910-908537fb51ed@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
> >>> On May 14, 1:31 am, Andy <1...@2.3> wrote:
> >>>> Does the modem have a router in it?
>
> >>> No.
>
> > There is no IP, just blank. 'Said it failed to obtain the IP address.
>
> Please review the myriad, detailed replies you've already got in this
> thread....

Oh, didnt see that post above yours.

Industrial
Thu May 15 03:08:44 PDT 2008

On May 14, 10:05 am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
<kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> On Wed, 14 May 2008 03:20:31 -0700 (PDT), Industrial One
>
> <industrial_...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > Wise cracks aside, lemme know if I understand correctly: a modem and a
> > router are interchangable.
>
> No.
>
> > Technically a modem is a dumb device that
> > only accepts and forwards connections,
>
> No.
>
> The term "modem" is short for "modulator-demodulator." Technically,
> it's a device that converts the analog signal on the telephone line to
> the digital signal needed by a computer, and vice-versa. Technically,
> any device that doesn't do that analog to digital conversion is not a
> modem (but see below).

Spare me the goddamn obvious.

> > a router is a computer itself
> > that manages the connections/packets more intelligently. I believe my
> > modem, is a genuine router. Let me know how I can verify it.
>
> A router is a networking device. It's one type of device that permits
> you to send data from one computer on your network to another computer
> on the network. Note that a router has nothing to do with connecting
> to the phone line (or cable service). As a matter of fact, by itself,
> it has nothing to do with the internet at all.

Yup, accepts and forwards connections/packets. I know it ain't shit
unto itself.

> A device that connects to a high-speed internet connection is properly
> called a "gateway," not a modem, because that high-speed internet
> connection is digital to begin with. So there's no analog to digital
> conversion, no modulating or demodulating is required, and the term
> "modem" is technically inappropriate.
>
>
>
> However, the difference between a modem and a gateway is not widely
> known, and the term "modem" is widely used for both types of devices.
> Some people strenuously object to this usage, because it's not
> technically correct. My personal feeling is that, leaving aside the
> analog to digital conversion issue, both devices do essentially the
> same thing--they connect a computer (or network) to the internet.
> Since there is no term that is really correct for any device that
> connects a computer to the internet, and since the term "modem" is so
> widely used for this, I think insisting that a gateway not be
> called a modem is just rigid and inflexible. Despite the original
> meaning of the term, for all practical purposes, calling that DSL or
> cable device on your desk a "modem" is far and away the best thing to
> do. Like so many English words, the word "modem" has changed its
> meaning over time.

You've made a slight ass of yourself lecturing the self-explanatory in
the first few paragraphs but these are words of wisdom. No sarcasm
intended, thanks for clarifying the common misconceptions due to the
robustness of the word "modem." 'Was more or less aware but can't help
givin' in -- being a conformist sucks.

So, I really only have a Gateway, which I've hooked to the Ethernet
switch and connected to the other computer via FastCAT cables... why
isn't the other computer obtaining an IP address? There's no setup
necessary 'cuz I'm subscribed to a highspeed 24/7 Cable service.

> A router by itself doesn't connect to the internet. If you have a
> device that does, it's a combination of a router and a DSL modem in a
> single box.

Then what am I missing?