I would think that any name brand wireless router will work fine. I have a DSL modem supplied by the phone company, and a 4-port Belkin Pre-N wireless router I bought separately a couple of years ago. The incoming signal goes to the modem, and then an Ethernet cable goes to the router. Hard wired devices plug into the ports in the back of the modem via Ethernet cable. My router can handle 4 hard-wired devices, and 32 wireless devices. I have 4 PCs hooked up to it (1 wired, 3 wireless), a Roku box (wireless), and a printer (wireless). The only thing to keep in mind about cable is that speeds can vary depending on how many people in the neighborhood are online at any given time. DSL is a constant speed, and since mine is 3 Mbps, that's enough for me. Have you checked to see whether your DSL supplier can provide a higher speed? Last year, my speed was 1.5 Mbps and I asked if they had anything higher in my area. They said they had 3.0 available for the same price. When I asked why they hadn't just bumped up my speed, they said they were only allowed to change my account if I called to request and authorize it first! I said: Who wouldn't want twice the speed for the same price? They said they just wanted to be sure this was something I wanted! At any rate, 10 seconds later I had twice the speed. Lastly, since you're mixing PCs and Macs on your system, I don't know if that would cause any problems. I have have friends with Macs who visit and they can get on my system (when I give them my security code) with no problem. However, if you are switching providers, you should ask first if there could be any problems.

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Thank you for all yours responses and no owbist I don't have the cable tech scheduled to come set up the cable modem high speed. The reason I don't is because when I called and gave them the info about the 1394 Net Adapter and a NIVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, I was told that this was for the dial up modem and not the ethernet. I expl to them that I did have an ethernet port. They told me that the software or drivers weren't loaded into my computer. However, Hewlet packard tech support said the 1394 Net Adapter and a NIVIDIA nForce Networking Controller WAS the drivers for the ethernet port. I didn't get this and I still would like to know where I could look into my computer and see the info on the ethernet port. The tech said I had to get this before they could set up the cable modem. I know some knowledge about computers, I just need to be guided on how to check my computer to see if I have the drivers etc in the system for the ethernet port that is in the back of the computer. I just need the directions on how to check this. Thanks again, J

cable modem!! not just any modem is correct! there are other types of modems. There are pros and cons to getting your own cable modem so be sure you do your research about that. If what you want to do is watch tv on your pc there is a way to do that if that is what you are trying to accomplish let us know. Cable Modem Primer has some good info Which is better, buying or renting a cable modem? some companies do put special firmware in their modems which would not be in one you buy elsewhere.