Chapter 2 Installing the Cable Modem
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Installation Preparations
Before installing the cable modem, make sure that your system meets or exceeds the
requirements listed in this section. Also, make sure that you have prepared your
home and home devices as described in this section.
What Are the System Requirements for Internet Service?
To ensure that your cable modem operates efficiently for high-speed Internet service,
you must have an Internet-capable PC, Mac, or Internet appliance equipped with an
Ethernet port.
Note:
You will also need an active cable input line and an Internet connection.
Minimum Hardware Requirements for a PC
A PC with a Pentium MMX 133 or greater processor recommended
32 MB of RAM
Ethernet port
Minimum Hardware Requirements for a Macintosh
32 MB of RAM
Ethernet port
Minimum Software Requirements for an Ethernet Connection
Operating system with web browser, TCP/IP protocol
What Are the Requirements for Telephone Service?
If you intend to use the cable modem for digital telephone service, verify that your
home meets or exceeds all of the following requirements.
Maximum Number of Telephones
The RJ-11 telephone-style connectors on the cable modem can each provide
telephone service to multiple telephones, fax machines, and analog modems.
The maximum number of telephone devices connected to each RJ-11 port is limited
by the total Ringing Load of the telephone devices that are connected. Many
telephone devices are marked with a Ringer Equivalent Number (REN). Each
telephone port on the cable modem can support up to a 5 REN load.
The sum of the REN load on all of the telephone devices attached to each port must
not exceed 5 REN.
