o14real

I want to know if i can set up my cable modem so it goes into a ethernet switch then use the switch to connect to my Vonage router, WIFI router and my PC or is there a way i can do this with my WIFI router? Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!

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Martian

Huh?

Vonage gave you a router, I'm assuming. That router will most likely have a built in switch (usually a 4 port). Some of them come with a wireless router as well, but not all; it depends on your service provider, and often on what tier service you order.

A router and a switch are two different types of networking devices and serve two entirely different functions. In the strictest sense, a router does not do any actual switching, although practically speaking nearly all routers have a switch built right into them anyway. If you want to run another switch downstream of the router, you can do that and the router will continue to assign addresses as long as it has any available on it's subnet. You can also place a switch upstream of your router, but unless you've got some really intense networking going on in your home, there's really no reason you should have to.

Wireless routers also usually come with a built in ethernet switch, in which case you can simply plug your cable modem directly into that and use the wireless router for all of your routing needs.

If you want me to address your specific network architecture, you're going to need to clarify exactly what it is you want to do; as you have it now, I'm unable to guess what your desired result is.

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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Kadin

If I am understanding you correctly, you want to set it up so that you go from your cable modem, and then to a switch, and then to both your Vonage box and your WiFi router, and your PC, with each on a separate port of the switch. This would, in theory, give each device plugged into the switch (Vonage, Wifi router, PC) a separate internet-facing IP address.

The short answer is that yes, you can do this. However, if you are on a typical Comcast consumer-grade broadband plan, only the first device to turn on will be able to access the Internet.

Most consumer broadband plans only include the use of one internet-facing IP address. If you attach more than one device to the cable modem (via a hub or switch), they will not get IP addresses from the modem. Only either the first device to connect, or the device whose MAC address is registered with your ISP (which way it works depends on your ISP — Comcast is first-on, not sure about other ISPs), will get an address and be allowed to connect. This is why people connecting multiple computers to one broadband connection have routers that perform NAT, effectively "hiding" all the devices on the network behind one IP address. It sounds like you're trying to avoid having to have your PC and the Vonage box behind NAT … while that's understandable, it's going to cost money, because IPv4 addresses are in relatively short supply.

If you want more than one simultaneous internet-facing IP address, you have to call your ISP and pay for more. This isn't a very frequent request so be prepared to explain yourself, in very small words, several times as you work your way up the chain of command. What you probably want is multiple dynamic IP addresses; you could if you want buy a block of static IP addresses, but this will be expensive.

Comcast used to have a plan where they would sell you 5 or so simultaneous dynamic IPs for an extra $5 or $10 per month; it was variously called the "Home Networking" plan, or the "Gaming Pack" [see here]. I don't know if it's still offered — I've never had any luck in trying to order it.

I wanted to set things up similar to how you are asking about having them; I wanted to have the cable modem, then a switch, and then an SSH server, VoIP box, and router/gateway connected to the switch. This would require three simultaneous IP addresses. Eventually I gave up; I couldn't find a plan at Comcast that would let me do it that didn't cost a fortune (they kept wanting me to upgrade to a 'Business' plan). If you decide to try and go this route ... good luck.

Can't wait for IPv6 ... it'll be nice to not have to pay through the nose just to have globally routable addresses for every device in a LAN. That's how the Internet was supposed to work, back before NAT screwed it all up, anyway.

BurntToast

I had Vonage when it first came out and the router that they supplied was a pile of steaming feces.

I put the Vonage box behind my router... opened a few ports and it worked flawlessly for 3 years.

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Craven Morehead

I've got Vonage for my office phone.

Cable comes into the Comcast cable modem which is connected to a Buffalo wireless router which is connected to Cat5e cables throughout the house. I have an ethernet switch in my office that connects to both the Vonage box and my laptop. Works perfectly. Except when Comcast is down.