I realize this is slightly off-topic, but may still be of interest.
Thanks to all who contributed advice on configuring a Linksys four-port
router for Insight@Home cable modem service.
Many people, including Tim (below) and MacWorld remarked on the simplicity
of the process. Further, both MacWorld and various sources prepared me to
expect that @Home uses dynamic, not static, IP addressing.
I am prepared to report that while the Linksys router does come with factory
defaults that are common, there are _plenty_ of variables out there in terms
of configuring for broadband access, and it took me over a week to resolve
them all.
Cable or DSL? Dynamic or static IP addressing? Host and domain names
required, or not? It's almost like ordering from an old Chinese menu: One
from Column A, one from Column B, one from Column C ...
In my particular case, I found that:
1) no, my @Home IP account isn't dynamic, it's static (in spite of TCP/IP
control panel being set to dynamic DHCP configuration).
2) I did need to specify my computer's name and the @Home domain.
3) I did need to change the factory MAC number on the router to that of my
Ethernet board for WAN purposes.
4) I had to ping my email server and find its literal numeric IP address
rather than use the abbreviated "mail" that @Home used in Outlook Express
account settings for identifying the POP and SMTP email servers.
Unfortunately, this involved innumerable powering down, disconnecting and
reconnecting of Internet connections, powering up, experimenting, poking
through Newsgroup messages, translating the non-Mac Linksys user guide,
powering down, disconnecting, reconnecting ...
It also doesn't help that @Home doesn't support home networking and Linksys
doesn't officially support Macs (their online information for configuring a
router with a Mac was to provide a link to a MacWorld article).
Granted, while I have mucked around with TCP/IP settings at work numerous
times, this was the first time I grappled with a router. My point is, some
people find their routers are ready to run in seconds, and others may have
to mess around with them for awhile.
That said, the device appears to be functioning splendidly. Before, Norton
Personal Firewall would record 15 to 20 attempts per hour from servers and
other computers on the Internet to access my computer (many of them probably
Code Red worms). After connecting the router, it has blocked every one;
Personal Firewall hasn't recorded a single hit. So while I now have double
protection from intruders, the router's firewall appears to be effective.
Plus, I can now share broadband Internet access with my daughter's iMac.
One final comment: While the Linksys user guide is intended for Windows
users, a moderately experienced Apple user can still translate and make use
of it for configuring a Mac, including a Power Computing machine.
Ah! Back on topic!
--Chuck
on 8/16/01 1:20 PM, Timothy M. Hood at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
[snip]
> I have to say
> that setup was easy and the router does have a great list of features.
>
> The router is almost setup out of the box.
[snip]
on 8/15/01 10:30 p.m. PM, Chuck at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>> Does anyone have experience using a Linksys router with broadband Insight
>> @Home cable modem access?
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