Normally when you have a single computer connected to a cable modem, one piece of information your computer is communicating to the cable modem and therefore your ISP is your machines "MAC id" (Hardware address in OS 9). This is a "unique number" to identify your computer over a network. Some ISP use this to determine if they are providing access to the correct computer. If they don't see the MAC id they have on file for you then they do not allow you to access the internet. So if you have more than one computer connected to a cable modem and you are not suppose to then you need a way so all communications seem to be coming from the one MAC id that the ISP knows.
Cable/DSL router are specifically set up to do just that. All cable/DSL routers that I have seen on there router's DHCP setting allow the entry of the MAC id that the router will communicate to the cable modem even though the requests came from perhaps two different computers connected to the cable/DSL router. Normally in the browser access to the router you can have it "clone" the MAC id of the machine that you are currently on. ISP usually try to guide you to getting hub/switch devices that allow then to see all of the computers connected in the network and then be able to charge you more money. The router also serves as internet safety device since it not just the ISP but others from directly seeing your computer(s). Any random attacks will hit the router first before it gets to your computers. -- G-List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- We have Apple Refurbished Monitors in stock! | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> G-List list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/g-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
