Hello, Out of curiosity I want answer to simple question. I have a Dlink 4 port modem connecting to ISP. Also have wireless Netgear 4 port router which connects to my modem using ethernet cable. I can use access internet when i connect my desktop PC to netgear router without problems. But why cant i access internet when i connect my desktop pc to a ethernet port on to a modem? I am not very computer literate! Is it because router takes over the responsibility to assign ip address when router is in place?? Networkid

Because you have to authenticate to your ISP. I guess, normally the Router does the authentication for you and every pc connected to that router, has access to the internet. If you directly connect your pc to your modem, the authentication has to be done from you pc. When this is done, you can access the internet. Paul

There is no such thing as four port modem. A modem either plugs into a router which in turn has a built in four port switch or you have a router/modem combination which may also have a built in switch. If it has four ports there is something more than just a modem there. What you have here is two routers in the same network. This is usually unnecessary but it can be made to work. You will need to disable DHCP on one of the routers. It is the DHCP which allocates private addresses to each computer in the network. Some model numbers would help so that the guess work can be taken out of it. Incidentaly, it is the modem that does the authentication. Not the router. The router does the network address translation from the public IP address provided by the modem. Stuart

Thanks for the help!! Makes sense Networkid

StuartS, I have Dlink wired router and netgear wireless router. My mistake! So, what you is saying is to disable DHCP in the wired Dlink router?? Right? Networkid

If you want to plug anything into the Dlink is is probably best to Enable DHCP in that and disable DHCP in the wireless router as well as Network Address Translation. Let the Dlink do all the work as is is the first router in the chain. You are then just using the wireless router as a wireless access point and Ethernet switch. Stuart

Why not have DHCP in both ??