Re: [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:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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
 

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