Modem/Router Questions.

[Mythe_Seraph]

I'm really sorry if this doesn't belong here, or if there is a random question thread for stuff like this. If there is please move this and thank you for your time.

Anyways, I'm fairly computer illiterate and I have just recently purchased my own high speed cable line for my house. This connection is being shared amongst myself and my brother. It is a 100 MB connection (I think?).

Here's what I have so maybe the questions make more sense or are easier to answer.

Modem: Motorola SURFboard SB5120 Cable Model
Router: Belkin Play N600 Wirless Bual-band N Router Model F7D8302 v1
Connected devices: Macbook Pro (myself), Xbox One (x2), Microsoft tablet notebook laptop thing.

Now, I have a series of questions that I want to figure out.

1) How do I change the name of my modem and/or router that I am using?
2) How can I change the password?
3) Are these two devices in any means up-to-date and are they worth keeping or should I update them?
4) Is there anything else I should know about owning my own internet that I wouldn't necessarily be aware of other than just generally using the internet for a majority of my life?

Thank you for any responses and help I receive. I appreciate it guys.

[orinthia]

You'll need to upgrade your modem as it doesn't seem to support the high data rates you've got (quick google search showed me, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16825122106 , apparently was an awesome modem for its time). Who is your provider? They might have a list of modems they officially support so you get a better idea of what you should search for.

Your router should be fine with the connection, though the wireless parts typically never reach full speeds. In other words: you typically don't hit true 100+mbps rates over wireless, even when right next to the router, but wireless ac might change that if your devices support it. To change the router settings, you'll need to typically visit 192.168.1.1 and enter a username and password. If you have no idea what they were, you can hard reset the router usually via some small inset button you need a bent paperclip to press while the router is on. Consult the router's manual for more setup info; just look online for their website and find a manual based on model number. You typically do not log into the modem itself (unless it is a modem+router, like some dsl modems), but it is usually possible by reading the modem's manual.

[Omniyoji]

Yes that modem is robbing you like ~60% of your total download speed. What you need is a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. I recommend getting a white Motorola SB6141 (the earlier black models had some issues).

The default login and pass for your router is either blank blank or admin admin/admin password. The router defaults also to 192.168.2.1. The manual for your router can be found here

http://www.belkin.com/networking/man...0_N_Router.pdf

[Mythe_Seraph]

Awesome guys thank you so much. I look at this stuff from very quick searches and it's all in gibberish.

Thanks for the suggestions on the modems too, appreciated. I'll check those out for sure.

[Tymon]

Definitely purchase a modem. Providers charge you rental fees to use theirs and they usually are not as good, quality wise.

Purchasing a modem will last you as long as the technology is good, and you don't pay a dime more than the initial cost.

[Mythe_Seraph]

The modem and router I have right now are personally owned not rented thankfully.

Another question I had is should I just get a modem that works wirelessly or should I get a modem that ties into a wireless router instead? I will only have like, 2 xbox and 2 laptops running off of my net, not simultaneously either.