[lorion11]

I have my Cable Internet go directly into my cable box, out from my cable box I hook up my Apple Airport Express wireless router to which my iBook connects (wirelessly). How do I connect my TiVo so it can do its daily call?

I am a bit of a newbie to home networking, but I saw something about Hubs and Switches. I want my TiVo to be wired dirctely instead of wirelessly since my Tivo, cable, and router are all near each other.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I did a search on several websites and didn't find my answer.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JimSpence]

The Apple Airport is a router, so I assume it has wired ethernet connections? If so, then get an approved USB to ethernet adapter and connect to the router.

 

[lorion11]

It has USB and an ethernet plug that I use because it comes from the cable modem. I am not sure if a USB to ethernet Adapter would work. Because if I plug in the USB to the TiVo, where does the ethernet cable go?

 

[titaniumtivo]

You might make sure the Airport Express is compatible with the Tivo that you have.

If it is, then just plug a USB cable from the Tivo to the Airport Express.

See if that works, and let us know.

 

[petew]

The airport express is a wireless only router so you have 2 choices. Either replace the airport express with a combined switch/router or use a wireless network adpater for Tivo. Personally I'd replace the airport express and go wired.

 

[petew]

You might make sure the Airport Express is compatible with the Tivo that you have.

If it is, then just plug a USB cable from the Tivo to the Airport Express.

See if that works, and let us know.

Won't work and don't try it. If you happen to find an A to A USB cable and try to use it, it could seriously damage both devices.

 

[lorion11]

The airport express is a wireless only router so you have 2 choices. Either replace the airport express with a combined switch/router or use a wireless network adpater for Tivo. Personally I'd replace the airport express and go wired.

Is there any way to split the line? I still want to go wireless with my laptop. I have an old Linksys router but I had troubles with security.

 

[dgh]

A hub or switch is essentially an Ethernet splitter.

 

[petew]

If you buy a wireless router such as Netgear WGT624 it supports both Wired and Wireless connections. Linksys and DLINK also make comparable devices, I have the Netgear. You could "split" the connection using a wired only router, but the difference in cost is minimal and this setup would be more prone to configuration issues.

Which linksys router do you have? Perhaps the forum can help you set it up.

 

[lorion11]

A hub or switch is essentially an Ethernet splitter.

Sorry to sound like such a novice, but I am learning a lot! But how can a switch or hub fit into my network? Where do I connect it in correlation to my cable box?

 

[petew]

Sorry to sound like such a novice, but I am learning a lot! But how can a switch or hub fit into my network? Where do I connect it in correlation to my cable box?

Physically the switch or hub could connect between your cable modem and the airport express. However your cable company probably only assigns you one single IP address so you can only use one device at a time. A router with a NAT firewall, shares that single IP address between multiple device on a home network, which is why you probably need a firewall router as I suggested.

 

[lorion11]

Which linksys router do you have? Perhaps the forum can help you set it up.

I have a Linksys WRT54G. I got a good signal through it but could never get it password protected.

 

[lorion11]

You could "split" the connection using a wired only router, but the difference in cost is minimal and this setup would be more prone to configuration issues.

I thought about trying this first and then going with the Linksys Router if I couldn't get it to work.

Thanks again for everyone's help! You saved me hours of trial and error!

 

[petew]

I have a Linksys WRT54G. I got a good signal through it but could never get it password protected.

Just use the WRT65G, not sure why the iBook would have a problem, perhaps there's a MAC user about thsat can help with that part.

 

[lorion11]

And I would need a USB Adapter still, wouldn't I? To go from the router/port to the Tivo?

 

[petew]

Yes. A USB to Ethernet adapter such as the Netgear FA120. Go to www.tivo.com/adapters for a full list of supported wired adpaters. But pay close attention to the version requirements if you see a Linksys USB200M.