Hi all,

I know that one needs to use a router in able to do this but have
recently read that Optimum has caused problems with people trying to
hook up two PC's for web access etc. with one Optimum box. Optimum is
saying that one needs a separate cable box for each PC used. Is this
their enforced policy now? Not that I'm into doing anything illegal
(it's not my business) but always thought that a decent router would do
the trick and enable two machines to share web access concurrently.

I can do this easily at home, and with a dialup no less, using an
AirportExtreme (wireless).

Has Optimum done something to prevent this now? This is the NY metro
area (a suburb)

Karen

On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 06:07:21 -0400, Karen
<lalla@worstweb.not> wrote:

all running to a 4 port router which is connected
to the modem. Also NY metro area. One account with
multiple email addresses.

Karen wrote:
When you use a router, only one device is connected to the cablemodem.
To the provider, they only see one MAC address, and only one IP address
is requested. To the provider, this is no different than one computer,
one X-Box or one anything that uses an Ethernet connection.

While they could theoretically compare the MAC address of the device to
a table telling them what the device is, they cannot definitively tell
whether you have one computer or a dozen computers behind the router.
They could try to guess based on the amount of traffic, and they could
try to do some traffic analysis, although they'd still be guessing, and
spending far more money to make the guess than they'd collect even if
your service agreement is definitively worded to address routers. (The
service agreements I've read do not definitively address routers, but
only the number of devices *connected to the modem*)

The is not likely to be any legal reason, and certainly is no technical
reason why you can't use a router.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: What does a new kitchen need?
http://www.holzemville.com/community...hen/index.html

"Karen" <lalla@worstweb.not> wrote in message
news:10lnmp3icnp0bc5@corp.supernews.com...
All cable companies have language in their TOS that would lead the consumer
to believe that they MUST have one modem for each computer. It's a bunch of
BS. A router looks like a computer to a cable modem. What you hook up to
your router will only be known to YOU. -Dave

Dave C. wrote:
Beelzebub, Warren, Dave,

Thanks a LOT for that one. Whew! For a minute I was believing the
cable company's line that they could detect by multiple IP or MAC
addresses how many computers were on the line. As we are a small two
person office with only one machine on a 56k dialup you can see why we
need better access and DSL isn't available in that area. So now I've
more toys to play with

Karen

Well actually, they CAN do just that, if you LET them. But if you install
your hardware correctly, there is no way the cable company will know how
many computers are on the line. Here's what I would suggest . . .

If you need professional installation, have the cable company install the
cable modem on ONE computer. BEFORE installation, tell the cable company
that you want to use your own cable modem, rather than rent one from the
cable company. Then do just that . . . go buy yourself a decent cable
modem. I'd suggest a Linksys brand BEFCMU10, V3 or higher. (the V3 is
important) But you don't have to buy the Linksys. Just make sure that
whatever cable modem you DO get is compatible with your local cable company
and connects to your computer via an ETHERNET CABLE, rather than by USB
Cable.

After the cable modem is installed and verified to be working OK, go buy
yourself a decent router, such as Netgear WGR614 or similar. (Yes, I know
that specific model is wireless, but it's easier to buy a wireless router up
front rather than discovering later that you need one. And the wireless
ones are cheap enough now, it doesn't make much sense not to buy one.) To
install the router, do the following in exact order:

-Turn off all computers (power down)
-Unplug your cable modem (both power and ethernet cables . . . you can
leave the cable line hooked up)
-Hook up ethernet cables so that router (such as Netgear WGR614) is between
cable modem and computer number 1. Ethernet cable from cable modem should
be hooked up to WAN port on router. Computer number one can be hooked up to
any LAN port on router. Do NOT plug in power to router YET.
-Hook up power on cable modem
-Wait two FULL minutes
-Hook up power to router
-Wait two FULL minutes
-Turn on Computer number one and test Internet Connection.
-Assuming computer number one is working OK, you can now hook up as many
computers as you want to, to the LAN ports of your router. Your cable modem
only sees one "computer", your router. Your router is acting like it is
computer number one. (!)

Most routers should be smart enough to configure themselves if you hook them
up in the exact order listed above. In a worst case scenario, you might
have to program your router to spoof the MAC of the computer that the cable
modem was first installed on. You'd have to refer to the documentation of
your router to learn how to do that. But in most cases, that shouldn't be
necessary. -Dave

Karen wrote:

Also, with most firewall/routers, you can clone the MAC of one of the
computers, so that even if the ISP checks MACs, it would appear to be a
computer.

--

(This space intentionally left blank)