The internet has become a standard integration that’s a part of virtually every home in today’s world.
One of the most important components when connecting to the internet is the modem because it acts as a link between your home network and the outside world or ISP (Internet Service Provider).
However, for some homeowners, the process of setting up a modem can seem intimidating and confusing prompting them to ask lots of questions such as: How plug and play are modems? Is technical assistance needed? Are there any configurations that need to be made? Do I need special tools?
Modems (both Cable and DSL) are pretty much plug-and-play. All you need to do is connect your modem to an active ISP (Internet Service Provider) via DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) or Cable and then plug it into a power outlet. As long as your modem is compatible with your ISP it should be able to automatically detect and connect to the internet on its own.
In some cases, you may need to call your ISP and provide them with your modem’s MAC address, if they aren’t able to detect it automatically.
For DSL modems, the phone cable should be plugged into your modem’s DSL port while for cable modems the coaxial cable should be plugged into the ‘Cable In’ port.
If you attempt to install your modem and it doesn’t work, contact your internet service provider. They should be able to activate the service at your address and help you troubleshoot the reasons why you don’t have access to the internet.
How to set up a modem (step by step)
To hook up your modem and get it running, follow these steps:
Step 1: Plug in your modem to a Cable or DSL outlet
The first thing you need to do is plug your modem into a phone jack(DSL)/ or Cable outlet depending on the connection type it supports.
For Cable modems, one end of a coaxial cable is plugged into the ‘Cable In’ port on your modem and the other into the Cable outlet on your wall. And for DSL modems, one end of a phone cable is plugged into your modem’s DSL port and the other into the phone jack on your wall.
If you do not have a phone jack or cable outlet already installed in your home, you will need to contact the internet Service provider of your choice, such as Xfinity, AT&T, or Verizon, that’s available in your area and have them install one for you.
Step 2: Plug your Modem into a power outlet
Next, you need to supply power to your modem by plugging in the power brick to a power outlet and the power cord to the modem’s DC input port. When you turn the power ON, the power LED should turn a solid color.
Step 3: Establish an internet connection
Once the power is turned on, the power LED light should remain a solid color while the other lights which include the send, receive, and internet LED lights should start blinking or flash as it boots up. When a secure internet connection has been established, the internet LED light will turn a solid color, usually green.
Step 4: Activate your Modem
If you are not able to instantly access the internet right away, it could be that you do not have an active subscription or your modem needs to be activated by your ISP.
This will require you to contact your ISP and provide them with your modem’s MAC address. Oftentimes, they can turn on your internet remotely without them having to visit your home.
Points to note:
If you have a Wi-Fi modem or modem-router combo you might need to take some extra steps to configure the router side of things via a browser on your computer or an app on your phone.
Keep in mind that there are other types of connections such as satellite, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and Dial-Up whose setup process might differ slightly. However, they are not as common as Cable and DSL.
Where To Plug Your modem
Modems do not plug into any outlet, DSL modems should be plugged into a DSL outlet using a phone cable while cable modems should be plugged into a cable outlet using a coaxial cable. But for power supply, modems can be plugged into any power outlet.
The type of connection, whether DSL or cable, is dependent on the ISPs available in your area and the types of internet connections they support. If you cannot find a DSL or cable outlet you should contact an ISP of your choice, and have them install one for you, installation charges may apply.
Modem Universal Compatibility
Modems are not universally compatible because they use different connection types, such as DSL, Cable, and Fiber, depending on the ISPs available in a specific area. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the modem you buy is compatible with the Internet Service Providers in your area.
A sure way to ensure the compatibility of your modem is by renting or buying one directly from your ISP. However, there are certain reasons why you may choose to buy your own modem, besides avoiding the recurrent rental monthly charges. These include:
- Getting a Router/modem combination: This can save you both time and money during the setup process since you won’t need two separate devices.
- Modem with wireless signal transmitter: Allows you to have control over which device on your network has a priority connection. This will allow you to tier-rank different devices on your network.
- Used modems: The financial savings with a used modem of 25-50% can often be incentivizing.
- Service speed: No matter its purpose, the benefit of faster speed is obvious. You may be able to find a modem with faster speeds that aren’t offered by your internet service provider.
Plugging Your Modem into a surge protector
A modem should be plugged into a surge protector to protect it against random power surges and voltage spikes that could damage it. But the coaxial cable itself should not be passed into any kind of surge protector as this could introduce signal interference and cause problems with your internet speed or connection.
Modems And Firmware Updates
Both cable and DSL modems need occasional firmware updates to add new features, fix bugs, and eliminate security flaws. Oftentimes, firmware updates are done automatically to keep the modem performing optimally.
Why modems have multiple ethernet ports
Modems with multiple Ethernet ports allow you to use Link Aggregation to achieve faster internet speeds, register and use a separate IP address (if your ISP supports it) and connect more than one device to the internet (if your modem has a routing function).
Modems And Power Usage
Modems do not consume a lot of electricity. Their power consumption ranges between 3 and 20 watts per hour, with the average hourly consumption being around 6 watts.
The amount of power consumed by a modem will depend on its design, features, and operating environment.
Conclusion
Cable modems generally come ready to go, without the need for any advanced configurations.
All you need to do is ensure that your modem is compatible with your ISP and has the right type of cable and internet outlet on your wall. Also, ensure you have an active internet subscription and then plug the modem into a power supply.
The modem should boot up on its own and try to establish an internet connection. However, in some instances, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider to work out connection issues.
