Poll of the Day > Is it possible to have two modems on the same network? (Help)

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I just moved into a new apartment, and this place has zero Ethernet ports built in, but they do have 2 coax cables per room. I'm wondering if I can basically have a primary modem in one room, then a secondary modem in another room so that I can plug Ethernet ports into both modems

I've tried researching it, but the only solutions I'm seeing are saying that I would need to buy another internet subscription to connect another modem.

I have seen devices that plug into outlets and basically turn that circuit into an Ethernet port, but I'm not sure if that would work here because of the two rooms being on different circuits, plus I already have a spare modern
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What do I look like, an IT person that sets that shit up?
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2 modems, probably not a great idea. A router will solve the problem way better.

Never tried those outlet things but really, the wiring is for power not internet so I wouldn't trust it. Unless they run on wifi in which case, whatever.
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Run a cable from the modem to the second room. If you need to connect more than one thing in the second room, get a switch the appropriate amount of extra ports.
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Depends on what you're trying to do. But honestly, as long as you don't have a shitty router, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to run on wifi unless your walls are lined with lead. You can't use two separate modems for the same internet connection without two different services.

Although, I would guess there's some sort of ethernet over coax thing. I've never heard of it, but I've never been in a position where its necessary.
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Smarkil posted...

Although, I would guess there's some sort of ethernet over coax thing.

Every IT person over the age of 40 is giggling right now.
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Your best bet is probably a dedicated WiFi access point which you can mount as high as possible as close to the center of your apartment as you can get it. A dual-band model will cost more but give you more options, especially if you have neighbors using WiFi.

Another option would be to run a good quality flat CAT5e or better cable along the baseboards from one room to another. This would be cheaper and more reliable than WiFi, especially in a crowded radio environment, but you're stuck with possibly unsightly wires. I've actually done this in my 1920s farm house, it's a lot easier than crawling around under the house, and by running the wire carefully, it's not terribly noticeable.
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what you refer to as "modems" are probably actually combination modem/router devices. no you can't have two of those unless you have two internet connections. (in the 2000s, I used to get 2 IP addresses with one plan, so in that case you theoretically could, but I doubt that's very common these days. it would also mean you'd have two separate networks.)

you could maybe use some kind of "ethernet over coax" setup, which does seem to exist, but I've never tried it before. looking it up, seems rather expensive.

https://www.amazon.ca/Seco-Larm-Enforcer-Ethernet-Extender-NE-SE01-020Q/dp/B01718U2KQ
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Depending what-all you're connecting, just go with a mesh setup. Put one of the Walmart brand ones in one of my coworker's houses, and it works just fine for what they use it for. Their computer is directly connected into the main router to make a pure-cable connection, and the WiFi satellites also have ethernet ports that can be used in whatever room they're in (in this case the one in their living room connects to their phone microcell and the box that they watch Netflix and such on); it's just that they'll have WiFi lag if that's an issue.
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dragon504 posted...

Run a cable from the modem to the second room. If you need to connect more than one thing in the second room, get a switch the appropriate amount of extra ports.

Yeah, that was my backup plan as I already have the necessary materials.

Smarkil posted...

Depends on what you're trying to do. But honestly, as long as you don't have a shitty router, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to run on wifi unless your walls are lined with lead. You can't use two separate modems for the same internet connection without two different services.

Although, I would guess there's some sort of ethernet over coax thing. I've never heard of it, but I've never been in a position where its necessary.

I can get WiFi throughout the apartment. I'm really just wanting Ethernet so I can use steam link on my TV and stream my PS4 to my laptop. Both of those work best with Ethernet.

There's this thing on Amazon that kinda looks like what I'll need, but I've never heard of it before. It's called a moca adapter. Anyone know if that'll solve my problem?
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