How to Configure a Motorola SB5101 Surfboard Router

By Joshua Benjamin

The Motorola Surfboard SB5101 is one of several Comcast-compatible cable modems capable of providing internet connectivity to your PC through your home's coaxial cable connections. Before you can use the Surfboard to connect to the Internet, however, you will need to run through a one-time setup and configuration process. This will configure the modem for use with your PC.

Step 1

Ensure that your PC is on and that your Surfboard modem is completely disconnected.

Step 2

Connect a coaxial cable to the threaded peg on the back of the Surfboard, then connect the other end to a cable outlet.

Step 3

Plug the AC adapter into the back of the Surfboard and the other end into a wall socket to power on the modem. Wait for all the lights on the front of the panel to stop flashing and display a solid green.

Step 4

Connect the Ethernet cable to your modem and the other end to your computer's Ethernet port.

Step 5

Open the Start menu and select "Control Panel" followed by "Network and Sharing Center."

Step 6

Click the "Advanced Adapter Configuration" link text in the left window pane. This will open a new window.

Step 7

Right-click your Ethernet adapter and select "Properties" to open a new dialog box. Select the "TCP/IPv4" entry in the dialog box and select "Properties."

Step 8

Ensure that the "Obtain an IP Address Automaticall" button is checked, then click OK to exit. Your modem is now fully configured.