[TriLUG] Roadrunner Port Blocking issues / tech support hilar ity

[David Rasch]

Ah, but the typical setup is that your mac address is only used between 
your NIC/Router/whatever and the cable modem itself.  The cable modem 
can be controlled by a separate "MAC" (not sure if this is what it's 
called, but same concept) on the coax network.  All I know is that my 
cable modem can still be tracked down by the TW people despite the fact 
that i've changed the NIC to which it's connected. 

I will take a moment to plug Earthlink as an _excellent_ alternative to 
RoadRunner in this area.  I've been very satisfied with the service, AND 
you get 20 hours of free dial-up access for when you're on the road!

-David

Ryan Leathers wrote:

>Ah, but its worth it Jeremy.  In a sea of devices on a shared media network,
>knowing a MAC address is really valuable.  With it, the provider has a
>greatly enhanced capability to troubleshoot, upgrade firmware, offer
>differentiated classes of services, build private VLANs, even provide
>services NOT reliant upon TCP/IP.
>
>Of course, if they don't DO any of this stuff, then registering your MAC
>address is just an extra headache both the customer and provider could live
>without.  
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jeremy Portzer [mailto:jeremyp at pobox.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 9:59 PM
>To: Triangle Linux Users Group discussion list
>Subject: Re: [TriLUG] Roadrunner Port Blocking issues / tech support
>hilarity
>
>
>On Tue, 11 Jan 2005, Jeff Groves wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I change my IP address at will by changing my MAC address of my router,
>>    
>>
>turning off the 
>  
>
>>router and firewall for about a couple of minutes, then powering up the
>>    
>>
>modem then the 
>  
>
>>router.  This works if your router allows you to change your MAC address.
>>    
>>
>
>Up here in Comcast territory, you have to register your router's (or
>computer NIC's) MAC address with the company before you will be allowed
>through the network.  (I think you get an IP address from the DHCP server,
>but your packets are blocked from going anywhere.)
>
>So if/when you get a new router, or change its MAC address, you have to 
>call them up and let them know.  I guess this is done to discourage 
>nefariousness, but it still seems like a lot of hassle for them, and a lot 
>of call center expenses.
>
>So just remember - it can get a lot worse than TWC!
>
>Jeremy Portzer
>New Carrollton (PG County), Maryland
>
>  
>