I'm currently using Charter Cable Internet and for some reason people in my area get mass downtimes and terrible tech support which I'm tired of. My only other option for my area is BellSouth DSL but they charge more for having a network vs. their price for just one computer. I have a 3 computer network and I'm the only one using any real bandwidth and it would be a big waste to pay so much extra.

Is there any way I can hide my network from BellSouth? I'm assuming they just ban MAC addresses associated with popular routers but I don't know much about this OSI level crap. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

every company charges extra
get a router and woila
noone knows.. they charge extra because they give routers and support for more than one comp

I have a NetGear RT311 router, that can clone it's mac address based on the main computer. That way, they think is connected to the modem, but its really the router.

At the time I got my router, my ISP AT&T limited us to 3 computers, and charged us an extra $10 per computer. After I got the router, I connected the rest of my PC's (8 total) to the router, and they quit billing us for the extra computers.

Yes, it is possible to "hide" your network using a router, but all of your computers will have the same WAN Ip address which could cause some issues with running a server on one of the machines. In that case, you'd need to set up port forwarding.

Just my experience... Good luck.

Just look for a router that allows cloning of a MAC address. It essentially makes your router appear like the authorized NIC on the account. And w/ a router that has built in DHCP you can connect as many devices you wish to it.

I live in a very similar area (Auburn?) where the only option is Charter, Bellsouth. Charter wants to charge $2 per NIC per month. I have about 5 devices connected to our network so don't tell. Never had one problem w/ them.

Thanks for the advice guys. I got a linksys and a netgear sitting up here with me so I should be able to work something out.

And btw I live in lawrenceville so you are pretty close to me studio ;).

please excuse the dumb question but I see you mentioned Mac. I assume it is the same principle for PC's.

What would be the best router to use. I want to have two or three computers set up and live to the net but would like to be able to hook up a fourth pc on a temporary basis.

1. Best router.
2. best network card.
3. can a pc be hooked up to the router using. USB.
4. does the main computer need to be online for the other to
access the net.

Also, I have a D_LINK DSL200 ADSL USB modem can I use that in conjunction with the router.

Doc

One further question.

What is the maximum practical length I can run from the router without loss?

Thanks in advance.

Doc

Doc, MAC refers to "Media Access Control"

See the following url for more info...

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci212506,00.html

1. Best router.

D-Link/Netcomm
Look at a switch even for a local network. Can be cheap.. from around $50AU.

2. best network card.

Intel etc.. but pay a fair bit of $$

Best to go a $20-$30 card... eg, KingMax/Bronet, AOpen..

3. can a pc be hooked up to the router using. USB.

Yes, have seen the adaptors available at some of my suppliers.

4. does the main computer need to be online for the other to
access the net.

Yes.

Also, I have a D_LINK DSL200 ADSL USB modem can I use that in conjunction with the router.

Yes, will need to use Windows Internet Sharing or a Internet sharing program.

You may be better off getting the Billion 5100 for $99AU, it is a ADSL Modem with 4 network ports.


We currently use a D-LINK 300c3 ADSL modem connected to a PC box running smoothwall., which then inturn connects to a switch... but we are looking at switching to the Billion 5100 (or similar.. maybe go wireless....)

Thanks for that Warp.

Now if only these sites would put things in plain English I might be able to comprehend it.

By The way if somebody could answer my other questions that would be appreciated.

Doc

Sorry ..

Thanks again warp you beat me to the punch.

regards Laurie Hill ...aka Doc

Originally posted by TheDoctor
One further question.

What is the maximum practical length I can run from the router without loss?

Thanks in advance.

Doc

Ahh oops.. missed this.

100 metres.- Cat5 cable.

Originally posted by TheDoctor
4. does the main computer need to be online for the other to
access the net.


I guess it depends on the router.. However with the router I have. As long as the router is on, I can access the net with any other machine since the router remembers the main machine's mac address. :)

However, if you have a computer setup as the router, it must be running to access the net.

Originally posted by MGCJerry
I guess it depends on the router.. However with the router I have. As long as the router is on, I can access the net with any other machine since the router remembers the main machine's mac address. :)

However, if you have a computer setup as the router, it must be running to access the net.

I would prefer to go with a setup like yours. I need to be able to have the individual PC'S to go online without relying on a main computer to be online.

Warp .. I sent you a message hope you don't mind. I thing I need to give this thread back to the original author.

Sorry Radix I seem to have highjacked your thread. :cool:

Doc

Just buy a normal router, as long as they don't come to your house and see the router, there is nothing they can do about it to find out. I've had workers come out and see the router and not care.

cat 5-e should run to 180 ish mtrs in practice :) im not sure if theyre officially granted cat 6 yet, but cat 5e was intended for 1000mbps as opposed to 100mbps transit and has higher tolerances. We've used it in installations where 100mtrs wasnt enough but the client didnt want the expense of fiber

Just get a router. I use BellSouth ADSL (PCDATA) with a router - many techs have been to my home, nobody cares.

Originally posted by Rob83
Just get a router. I use BellSouth ADSL (PCDATA) with a router - many techs have been to my home, nobody cares.
I doubt a bellsouth adsl would work in Australia and as forthe techs not caring, the ASP will care and hence charge me extra if they can detect it there end however as other said with a route it would appear as one pc.

Doc

Why so many techs to your home Rob83?

I agree with everyone else get a router. I'm with comcast now. When I signed that wanted extra to run multiple pcs. After talking with support(frequently for several months), I came to the conclusion they knew what everyone was doing to run mutliple pcs at home. Now if you go and signup at a local comp store they recommend getting a router.

(thedoctor) he said MAC not Mac... MAC is a code like an IP (if i remember correctly) - it's a string which is used to identify network interfaces - usually stored in a chip on the nic... the confusion starts when ignorant people call Mac the acronym MAC...

EDIT: remind me to refresh tabs that are 6 hours old before answering questions