Noob newtworking modem question.

First sorry for this misspelling of the topic.

Okay, so my wireless router is far away from my computer in my house, however I do have a cable in my room that I could hook up a modem to so my computer can be hard wired to my Time Warner cable internet.

Do ISP's allow you to use two routers? Does it even matter? That is my question. Thanks!

I don't think it matters.
I have wireless and cable as well

Alright, but still I want to know if I am allowed to use 2 modems... Anyone else know for sure? Thanks.

As far as I know, you can't use two modems.
If you have two modems transmitting different signals on the same line, without some sort of data splitter/merger, the ISP will just receive junk.

I thought a cable modem just converts the cable signal to Ethernet and vice versa...I don't see why having more than one would cause problems. You need a cable box for every room with a TV, why would it be different for modems?

That's just what seems intuitive to me though. There's no telling what goes on the minds of those cable companies.

Originally Posted by Dhsu

I thought a cable modem just converts the cable signal to Ethernet and vice versa...I don't see why having more than one would cause problems. You need a cable box for every room with a TV, why would it be different for modems?

Yeah, it doesn't quite work that way.
Each channel that you change to has an individual frequency that it transmits on. These signals are pretty much always present, and the cable box/television just selects which signal to "decode" into visual and sonic data. This is all direct analog decoding, however, so they can all reside on the same wire.

As I understand, cable modems operate on a single, specific frequency(as assigned by the ISP), so when you try to have two different serial signals superimposed on top of each other, the resulting information is jumbled nonsense.

Quote:

There's no telling what goes on the minds of those cable companies.

DOCSIS - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

However, it looks like DOCSIS 3.0 will make such a thing possible.

Decoding really isn't a problem, if it was then your neighbors wouldn't be able to access the Internet when another neighbor was using it since they are all shared lines further down the pipeline. This is more a security issue as the ISP uses the MAC address of the modem as part of their authentication onto their network. You can't use two modems without buying two accounts as all cable companies have a 1 account, 1 MAC address policy. So to answer your question you can have two modems on a single line, but you cannot have two modems on a single ISP account.

Interesting.

Maybe the best alternative is to call the cable guy and have him install another data port in your room. Or if your computer can receive wireless, you could probably get a signal relay/booster device of some sort.

The best way to do it if you can is to run an ethernet cable through the wall cavities to the room in which you want to use the internet, then use that to link up a wireless access point. It's not the cheapest, but if you have the money and are willing to learn some new skills...

You actually haven't stated whether the other computer is WIFI capabale; so otherwise I don't understand why just don't buy a wireless dongle to connect to the router; it only costs £10.

If it is capable then I know you said its far away but have you actually tried it othewise you need a signal booster like DHSU said or a better router. Mine is quite far away yet I get an 'excellent' signal; may I ask which brand you are using?

Originally Posted by Andrew Evenstar

Alright, but still I want to know if I am allowed to use 2 modems... Anyone else know for sure? Thanks.

If you use 2 modems then your ISP (mine is comcast) will charge you twice as much on your next statement.