I have cable internet that I use on my laptop.  I own a Linksys
Etherfast cable modem with USB and ethernet connection(model
BEFCMU10).  I am using the USB connection for my computer.  My
question is can I use the vacant ethernet connection on the modem for
my PS2?  I don't want to have to buy a router and my ps2 network
adapter.  My concern is that if I get a router or DSl/Cable router
(not sure what the difference is) then I would have to get a network
card for the laptop so I can connect it to the router.  I would like
to be able to just get the PS2 adapter and not a router, and a network
card also.

Thanks

map_man,

First, the answer to your question and then a possible solution.

After checking the product specifications at the linksys site, there
is no mention of any kind of hubbing/routing ability in the modem
itself. So you could not share a single supplied IP address from your
cable company. Nor could you ask your cable company to issue you a
second IP address (typically costs $10/month and avoids the need of a
router). The cable modem can only register and handle one IP address,
so you are out of luck in that direction.

However don't get despondant yet!

There are routers out there which can handle multiple technologies
(ie. both USB and Ethernet) in one package. Just last week I picked up
a 2wire HomePortal 100 from the clearance rack at my local Staples for
$50 (This particular model was discontinued, but they usually go for
around $200). There are other models out there that have this same
ability (and are considerably cheaper than $200).

To use this router, you would connect it to the Linksys cable modem
using the Ethernet connection on the modem and the router. You would
then connect the USB connection from your router to your laptop and
the ethernet connection from your router to the PS2.

All of the configuration would be done using the laptop and a web
browser (with the supplied installation disc if you really want to -
although chances are if your computer was working with the cable modem
directly, you might not need to change any settings.

The big bonus of taking this route rather than trying to get both usb
and ethernet ports on the cable modem to work simultaneously is that
you won't have to pay your cable company for the home networking fee
(if they charge one). You may have to register with your cable
company, the MAC addresses (unique identifiers) of the router and all
connected items separately before they will allow you to use the
router (I had to do this with AT&T Broadband, but it was a painless
task as all the information is readily available on the router's
configuration page (viewable through the web browser on your laptop).

Bottom line is, the router may save you money with the cable company
in the long run and you won't have to buy that network adapter!

Hope this is of help to you and good luck

calebu2-ga

USEFUL LINKS:

Linksys BEFCMU10 Tech Specs
ftp://ftp.linksys.com/datasheet/befcmu10v2_ds.pdf

Linksys Press release for the BEFCMU10 - statement implies hub/router
needed for home networking :
http://www.linksys.com/press/press.asp?prid=70&cyear=2002

Practically Networked - pretty much everything you need to know about
home networking (Has a good list of all routers on the market - you
can search for a USB/ethernet dual mode router that meets your budget)
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/

2wire : Manufacturer of the USB/ethernet router I have
http://www.2wire.com/home/hp_index.html


SEARCH STRATEGY :
BEFCMU10
2wire homeportal 100

thanks so much...I was hoping for the easy answer but I that's ok. 
Thanks again and I will definitely be trying this again when I'm
stumped.

Dear Map_man,

I haven't been able to find a definitive YES or NO to your question,
but after doing some searching and from friends that have owned
similiar devices, I think you may be able to hook up both devices to
the modem successfully. None of the documentation mentions any sort of
"switch" that toggles between the ethernet or USB modes. Unless it has
some sort of internal mechanism for detecting which port is in use and
then disables the other, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Now, this device is not a router, so I wouldn't expect it to behave in
that sort of fashion, but you should be able to at least get an IP
address and communicate on the Internet with both devices -- they just
might not be able to communicate with each other.

Like I said, there was no definite answer that I have found (as of
yet). My advice would simply be to try it and see. You'll either get
an IP address or you won't.

If it doesn't work, then adding a router will be the way to go, but
like you said, you'll need a network adapter for your laptop unless
you can find a router that has a USB network connection built into it.
I personally can't recall every seeing any, but I'm sure someone
probably makes one.

PWizard
Google Answers Researcher

Hi, Map_man:

Calebu2-ga has done an excellent job with this question.  It might be
possible to avoid the purchase of a router, but still incur the cost
of the PS/2 Internet adapter and a network card for the laptop.  This
would mean using the "share a network connection" feature bundled with
Windows operating systems starting with Win98 2nd edition.  In effect
your PC would act as a "network address translator" (NAT).

Of course, being a laptop, I would expect that sometimes it would not
be hooked up.  So this approach would involve switching wires around a
bit more than might otherwise be necessary with a router.

I use a Linksys product that combines the router/NAT function with
wireless Ethernet connectivity.  I need a wireless Ethernet card for
my laptop, and this gives me a fair amount of walk-around mobility at
home (though I'm told the PCMCIA card I use is not as robust a
receiver as the USB version).  The base used to go for $175 but I
think it's down to $125 now; the card goes for about $60.

best wishes, mathtalk-ga