all that its connected to one cable, using cox
of course it goes thru 3 switches and 3 cable modems, and each has its own ip... but its still all going to one cable
the wireless linksys on top is for the other computers in the house that arent in this pic
you need a router... and since its a roommate, I suggest a wireless router, unless you're sharing a bedroom
i'm sure you dont want cat5 cable ran allthru the house