What is a router?

[JennieR]

I googled this, but really didn't understand it.

It just took me 35 minutes on the phone with the cable company to get me internet service again. They said I might need a new router. Does this mean I need a new computer? I plan on getting a new one, but not until I get my income tax back.

 

[Gayle]

No, you don't need a new computer. The router is the device that you plug your computer into or that supplies your wireless connection. It might look something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-EtherFast-Router-4-Port-BEFSR41/dp/B00004SB92

and may have been supplied by your cable company.

 

[JennieR]

Thanks Gayle. All I know how to do is log onto the computer and go to different websites. Other then that, I have no clue.

 

[Gayle]

No problem.

 

[JennieR]

Gayle, one more question. They said they changed my IP address. Why would that have anything to do with me not being able to connect to the internet?

 

[dorothyrd]

Your router needs to know that IP address or it cannot talk between the modem and the computer. IP address is like your personal phone number to the internet.

Routers are not that expensive. We just bought a new one because ours was not fast enough for the faster computers we are using now. We got a Linksys G router at Amazon for 50.00.

 

[JennieR]

Thank you Dorothy. That makes sense.

 

[Gayle]

Yup...what Dorothy said.