Sharing Broadband
Discussion
Cable DSL Router, assuming you don't want to use wireless.
I have a Belkin Cable DSL Router spare at the minute, if you want to make me an offer. Just plug the cable modem into it and use it instead of the ethernet hub. I paid £50 for it a while ago, now use a 3com wireless equivalent instead.
I have a Belkin Cable DSL Router spare at the minute, if you want to make me an offer. Just plug the cable modem into it and use it instead of the ethernet hub. I paid £50 for it a while ago, now use a 3com wireless equivalent instead.
It depends if you want to spend any money or not. My parents have NTL broadband and I put a Linksys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router in for them so that they can use it with 3 independent PCs. It cost about £40 I think, and it works well. You connect it to the cable modem and connect all the other machines to it, so it would replace the hub that you are currently using. That's assuming your cable modem has an RJ45 connector on it.
www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=20&grid=5
www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=20&grid=5
Sorry guys, I meant without spending any money - I'm only gonna be away for 2 weeks! It doesn't matter if the other computers don't actually share the connection. What do I need to do to connect a computer other than mine to the cable modem without using the NTL installation software?
>> Edited by Frik on Saturday 27th March 16:13
>> Edited by Frik on Saturday 27th March 16:13
You may not be able to. The cable modem remembers the MAC address of the PC you connect with, and it can get unhappy if you try to connect a different one. This function might not be enabled by NTL, I'm not sure. It's their attempt to prevent you using a simple hub or switch with more than one computer connected. However, the Linksys router can spoof the MAC address of your PC, which defeats the limitation. To be honest I'm surprised anyone puts up with ICS for very long, as it is slow and clunky compared to a proper solution.
steve-p said:
You may not be able to. The cable modem remembers the MAC address of the PC you connect with, and it can get unhappy if you try to connect a different one. This function might not be enabled by NTL, I'm not sure. It's their attempt to prevent you using a simple hub or switch with more than one computer connected. However, the Linksys router can spoof the MAC address of your PC, which defeats the limitation. To be honest I'm surprised anyone puts up with ICS for very long, as it is slow and clunky compared to a proper solution.
Bugger
Oh well, cheers for the quick responses people.
Def won't be going anywhere near ICS next time.
Is your cable modem connect via USB.
If so you should be able to unplug it from one PC and connect it to another as long as you have the correct internet connection settings (dial number/username/password) on the other PC.
It's what I've done to type this in. My desktop is busy running something so I've unplugged the modem and connected it to my laptop.
I can't see any problem because in effect all you are doing is a simulated change of PC (as if you have bought a new one).
If so you should be able to unplug it from one PC and connect it to another as long as you have the correct internet connection settings (dial number/username/password) on the other PC.
It's what I've done to type this in. My desktop is busy running something so I've unplugged the modem and connected it to my laptop.
I can't see any problem because in effect all you are doing is a simulated change of PC (as if you have bought a new one).
You don't need any NTL installation software. Changing the PC is quite easy - you just need to reboot the cable modem, and it will lease another IP, having recognised that there is a new MAC address attached. No more than 3 MACs can be served in any 4 hour period though.
See here [url]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.h.walker/cmtips/swap.html#swap[/url] for details.
If you read sections of the above website, you should find essentially everything you will ever need to know about NTL broadband.
See here [url]http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d.h.walker/cmtips/swap.html#swap[/url] for details.
If you read sections of the above website, you should find essentially everything you will ever need to know about NTL broadband.
I would go for a router e.g www.draytek.co.uk/products/vigor2104p.html these allow you to out your master computers mac address in. They work really well, but are not that attractive to look at! You can get them from www.seg.co.uk and they cost about £79+vat. We recommend them for work, and they include a print server also. If you want a more comprehensive they do bigger models e.g 2900 range.
Spend the money it makes sense and you will never need to leave any pc's permanently on.
regards
Simon
Spend the money it makes sense and you will never need to leave any pc's permanently on.
regards
Simon
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