Guys, I run 3 machines at home, and want them to have seperate IP for each machine. My current set up is modem goes into Router and from the router I have wired connection to all of my computers. They all have same IP as of right now. I've requested 4 different static IPs from my ISP and they will give them to me, however the customer tech support agent said that I should use switch not the router for it. So should I set it up in the following manner:
Modem goes into router, from router cable goes into Switch and I plug cables from my computers into the switch?
thanks in advance
One of the most basic purposes of a router is to provide separation between two independent networks that may or may not otherwise be connected. In this case, that's Cox's network, and the one inside your home.
If you want Cox to issue you IP's for each PC, then your PC's effectively become a part of the Cox network. So you're not going to want the router. You'll be replacing it with the switch that Cox recommended you acquire.
My current set up is modem goes into Router and from the router I have wired connection to all of my computers.
Sounds like you have a router with a switch built in already. Your modem currently connects to the WAN port on your router. Just move it over to an empty port on the switch (where your computers are plugged in).