How to Connect a Computer Modem to a Router

By Maxwell Payne

This is a common Ethernet cable.
i ethernet image by Victor B from Fotolia.com

A router allows you to connect multiple computers to a single Internet access point via a modem such as a cable or DSL modem. Computers that have a built-in Ethernet network card can connect to the router and routers can vary in the number of connections they can handle. If you want to set up a local area network (LAN) or just want to share an Internet connection, you'll need a router connection to the computers.

Connect one Ethernet cable into the "Internet Out" or "To Computer" jack on the back of the modem.

Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable into the "Connection In" or "Internet" jack on the rear of the router.

Connect the second Ethernet cable to the Ethernet network jack on the rear of your computer. Note that on laptops this connection may be on the side of the laptop.

Connect the other end of the second Ethernet cable to one of the numbered jacks on the rear of the router. Depending on the make and model of the router, these jacks may be labeled as "To Computer" or "Internet Out."

×