How to use router when modem only has 1 ethernet port?

I am setting up my wireless tonight for my laptop. The router I am getting hooks up to the modem via an ethernet cord. The problem is that my modem only has 1 ethernet port which I have my desktop wired to it. The modem also has a USB port, so can I buy a USB to ethernet adapter and it will work?How to use router when modem only has 1 ethernet port?
simple answer follow these directions #1 connect phone line

to modem #2 unhook ethernet cable from pc not from modem

#3 connect ethernet to the router #4 now connect with another

ethernet cable from router to the desktop pc. this should work

no need to use usb.i used to use a seperate modem%26amp;router

untill i got an all in one combination modem%26amp;router in one box.How to use router when modem only has 1 ethernet port?
Use your router to establish the connection to your provider be it DSL or Cable. It has provisions for talking to both of them. Connect your router to the modem and your computers to the router. When you do this, turn everything off. This is to make sure all the software stuff gets reset.



Connecting this way is VASTLY safer anyway. When you have your computer directly connected to the web like you do now, you are basically connected to the web naked. The router is a GOOD firewall, one that is a lot harder to compromise then the software one on your computer. When you do get infected, the virus often tries (successfully way too often) to turn software firewalls off.



Once you do get both the laptop and desktop connected to the router, you can share files between them. You can also get a NAS (network attached storage) device and back up both computers to it through that router. I also have a network printer on mine so any computer can print to it.
If your router has multiple LAN ports, you can hook up your computer to one of them. My router has one port to connect the modem to, four other ports for networking computers, and wireless capability. If you haven't bought the router yet, look for these ports before you buy.



You can sometimes use both the ethernet port and the usb port simultaneously, but the modem is not meant to be used that way, so your connections may be unreliable.



You could also consider getting a wireless add-in card for your desktop, if the router you get doesn't have LAN ports. Something about going around your elbow, though...
Check if the router has more than one Ethernet port. It should definitely have a WAN port, but it might also have 4 or so other ports for Ethernet cables to connect the router to up to about 4 computers through wired connection, then add the wireless too. If it doesn't have even 1 extra Ethernet port to connect a computer to the router through wiring, then the USB to Ethernet adapter should work, under the impression that the USB port is meant for the same basics as the Ethernet port on the modem, but it's probably best if the router has the Ethernet ports to allow wired connections at the same time as wireless.
Your question is confusing.



You don't need a Modem if you have a Router? You just use the filter's that your ISP (or whoever) has given you, and plug into the Router - you then do away with the modem.



Hope that helps.
A router is a device that is designed to share a single Internet connection between several computers

Look on the back of the router. Your typical home router will have 5 Ethernet RJ45 connectors on the back

One of those connectors is set a little apart from the other 4

That one will be labeled WAN (Wide Area Network) or Internet

The other four Labeled LAN (Local Area Network)

You connect you system this way



Internet %26gt;%26gt;%26gt; Modem %26gt;%26gt; Router WAN Port

Router LAN Port (any one) %26gt;%26gt; Your Desktop



Where %26gt;%26gt; are Ethernet Patch cables



Once connected, use the Setup CD that came with the router to do the Initial Setup. Most the time - your on your way

Sometimes, the setup CD falls flat on it's face. If it does, don't lose your cool.

Ditch the CD

Drag out the manual

From the manual, see how to access your router using your browser

Now find the page on the WAN setup screen that says something like ';clone your MAC ID';

Click the button

Save the settings

restart the router

that should let you surf



Now set up your wireless

Do all setup from your desktop

Trying to setup a wireless system over a wireless connection is at best frustrating, and these days, normally not allowed for security reasons.



On your wireless page

Then at a minimum

Access the router

Enable security

Choose WPA2 encryption if you can. WPE and WPA can be cracked in a minute or less these days.

Change and hide your SSID

Change the user name and password on your router.





For better security or if you must use a lower security encryption.

Use ipconfig /all from a DOS window on each machine

Get the MAC IDs of your Ethernet and wireless adapters for all computers in your network

Go to advanced in your router setup

Go to MAC ID Filtering

Enter all the MAC IDs of your machines in the list

Check them twice

Now enable MAC ID filtering and save your settings

Only machines with those MAC IDs will be allowed on the network



Now go to your laptop and connect using the password you entered when setting up encryption

You in and surfing



Good Luck