Should my modem and router be separate?

The technical answer is no, but the practical answer is yes. Because a modem can only connect to one device at a time, you’ll need a router if you want to be able to access the internet from multiple devices.

Can you have both a modem and router?

Modem router combos conveniently combine an internet modem and Wi-Fi router into an all-in-one device, thus making it a WiFi networking essential. Buying your own modem router saves you money in the long run because you no longer need to rent from the cable or internet service provider (ISP).

Can I chain two routers together keeping DHCP on both?

Short answer: no, you cannot bridge two DHCP servers together. Computers that join the network would get an address from whichever router that responded first, and the two routers would not check in on each other.

Can 2 routers have the same IP address?

Yes, two routers can have same ip adress but in a condition that the second router is connected to the first router.

How do I connect my router to my modem router combo?

Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the new router’s WAN/uplink port, then plug the other end into any free port on the first router other than its uplink port. You can connect two routers wirelessly, but the second router will only function as a wireless access point.

Will a cable modem work with two different DHCP servers?

If the DHCP servers conflict (e.g. they both believe they have exclusive right to assign a given IP address to any computer that asks), then you’ll have connectivity problems. Will it work: Yes. So if your cable modem allows you configure DHCP it is not a cable modem, but a cable modem/router combo.

Is it normal for a cable modem to be configconfigured?

Configured… both as a DHCP SERVER, yes (problem). Both as DHCP CLIENTS, no (problem). It’s normal for your cable modem to be issued a management IP, via DHCP (as a client). It’s normal for your routers WAN port to obtain an IP via DHCP (as a client).

Why is my router not serving as a DHCP server?

If you are bridged, the router will not server as a DHCP server. If your router is not bridged, and you have DHCP enabled on your router, a PC’s DHCPRequest will not make though the router to the DHCP server furnished by the cable company. The networks on the WAN side vs the LAN side are typically different.

Is it normal for a cable modem to be a server?

It’s normal for your cable modem to be issued a management IP, via DHCP (as a client). It’s normal for your routers WAN port to obtain an IP via DHCP (as a client). It’s not normal for both your modem and your router to be a SERVER… in that case your “modem” is more than a “modem” … which basically also implies a “bridge” here…