Connecting a Cable Modem to a wireless router?

Technically, any cable modem connection should work with a router.

To be honest, I've never heard of Mediacom provider, but I seriously doubt that they prohibit use of routers behind their modem (in the past that used to be the case).

In some cases though, depending on how the cable modem behaves, you may need to call your provider so that they help you setup your modem in a way to be able to connect a router behind it (has to do with bridge settings on the modem). Before you do any of that though, you should be able to get that router, and plug it into your modem, and plug in you desktop/laptop into the router and see if you get on the internet. if you can, then you're all set. from then on, I would suggest that you configure security on your router (change password, if it's wireless, setup your WPA key for it... )

Regarding the brand of router, they all work ok I guess. Personally, I've had pretty good luck with LinkSys (WRT54G is a very popular one - http://spedr.com/4bui3 )

Hope this helps.

Yep - most current wireless routers you can buy connect to the modem through the WAN or Internet port on the router and can be configured to use DHCP to "talk" to the modem.

And as you said - if it does not work you can always return the router for your hard-earned cash back.

gm...

http://www.wifi-shopping.net/