Is there such a thing as ....

... a connector that two laptops can share an ethernet cable from the modem? It's probably a dumb question I know ... but I don't know. It's where, instead of using a wireless router you can have an ethernet cable in the back of the modem into a connector (or hub) so that 2 laptops (or more) can use it in the same room. Wireless is ok but it's really slow. I only found how how much faster plugging straight into the modem can be. I like the portability of wireless but I usually sit in the same place at home so it's not worth the slow speed.

Also, are there any drawbacks to plugging straight into the modem?

 

Hi maryanjo. I use a Netgear Wireless Router/Modem with 2 Ethernet cables plugged into the back of it.

One cable is about 15-20 inches long and runs from my Router/Modem into my laptop alongside. The other cable is around 15-20 feet long and runs from the Router/Modem into another room where my son plugs his laptop in when he visits me.

I am not sure if this is what you are, but it works for me.
Hope this helps.

Bazza

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The consensus is that I go both ways. That seems to mean buying a wireless and ethernet switch. I did see some wireless modems that look interesting. Right now my cable company provides their modem which isn't wireless. Can anyone answer the following questions?

Would our internet work if I changed out their modem for a wireless one of my own?

Can I add a second modem to the cable modem?

If I go both ways, would a wireless modem have the connections in the back for 2 ethernet cables?

Apart from an Airport Express router, are there other ones that you can plug a usb printer cable too .... and maybe a music system to run wirelessly (I do that on my airport express?) If so, which ones do you recommend?

The only reason I'm looking at another method is because wireless is just so so slow. When I plug my cable straight into the modem it's so so fast!!! I would like wireless for my guest house next door, but fo me I'd prefer to get online faster.

 

I hooked up my trendnet ethernet switch to my cable modem, then attached our two laptops to the switch, and attached my airport express wireless router also to the switch. I don't think it's working right. I tried getting online without the wireless, i.e. straight from the modem but it said it couldn't as it had a self assigned ip address of 169.254.247.63. So why can't I get online directly? It works with the wireless, but the whole idea was to hook in directly to make a faster connection.

I bought it because it has good reviews on Amazon. Obviously I've either misunderstood its function or I'm doing something wrong. Any ideas?