More Router Questions

[johnnymk]

When the term IP comes up, does the ISP look for the router address or the computer which is attempting to hook to the Internet?
Also: If you don't have a router and were using a laptop with a PCMCIA card hooked to an external modem, does the ISP tag the laptop or some other device or address?
The reason I am asking is that I bought a router yesterday and haven't set it up yet.For the time being, I want to hook up a different laptop than the one I am currently using, attach the existing PCMCIA card and external modem. Does my ISP (DSL) care what laptop or desktop is attached to the modem or not?

[spigidygak]

Shouldn't matter what you have attatched to the modem, be it a laptop, desktop nic or even the router. Although they can tell if you are using a router or not, most don't care even though their policy states to share the connection you need to purchase more than 1 ip.

[Jeffbx]

Some cable companies still look for a MAC address or a particular computer name to authenticate the connection, but this is not a typical situation. Most ISPs only authenticate you by your logon ID & PW, and I have never heard of a DSL provider doing anything other than that.

[hapoo]

Why would DSL require a login/password if its hard wired?? Its not like your neighboor can use your connection if they just bought a modem.

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by hapoo
Why would DSL require a login/password if its hard wired?? Its not like your neighboor can use your connection if they just bought a modem.

DSL is still a dial-up connection, not hard wired like cable. If you lose your connection or power down your PC, you still have to 're-dial' to get the connection back. You can also use your account thru a different DSL line - I've logged onto my home account through the DSL line here at work.

[hapoo]

Originally posted by Jeffbx


DSL is still a dial-up connection, not hard wired like cable. If you lose your connection or power down your PC, you still have to 're-dial' to get the connection back. You can also use your account thru a different DSL line - I've logged onto my home account through the DSL line here at work.

It is hard wired from what i know. Once you subscribe to DSL your line is hooked up (through computer or physically, i'm not sure which) to the appropriate equipment. I doubt i can take my modem to the house next door and use it. BTW, I was asking because I do know some DSL providers don't give passwords.

[ironape]

Originally posted by hapoo
Why would DSL require a login/password if its hard wired??

I would think its just a way to track customers. If I am not mistaken you have to initially connect with a window very simular to dialup.

Some cable companies still look for a MAC address or a particular computer name to authenticate the connection

Comcast logs the mac address of the modem you are using and paired with your user ID authenticates you onto the network.

Originally posted by hapoo
Its not like your neighboor can use your connection if they just bought a modem.

While this is mostly true you can take your modem to another comcast customers house, hook your modem into the coax and login using your info. I have done this to troubleshoot my dads modem. While im not sure if this is corrct for DSL i would think that all you would need for a neighbor to connect at your house would be thier userID and password.

I have limited knowledge on DSL but I know you can do that with cable for sure.

[hapoo]

of course if your using PPPoE you have to have Login/Pass. I was refering to the non-PPPoE providers. Here in california not all providers use PPoE (Verizon for one doesn't, in my area anyway).

[bachviet]

DirecTV DSL doesn't use PPPoE either (at least in Garden Grove area).

[Jeffbx]

Originally posted by hapoo
It is hard wired from what i know. Once you subscribe to DSL your line is hooked up (through computer or physically, i'm not sure which) to the appropriate equipment. I doubt i can take my modem to the house next door and use it. BTW, I was asking because I do know some DSL providers don't give passwords.

It depends on your provider, I guess. In the case of SBC, it's like an ISDN line. Your DSL connects to a 'modem' that you use to conenct to the service. There's a CAT5 network cable coming out of the modem connecting to your PC (or could be USB or even an internal modem).

In this case, you certainly could take your equipment next door to the neighbor's house & connect, PROVIDED they have an active DSL line. I've actually done this before.

There *are* providers that offer DSL witout an ID/PW, but I have no idea how they authenticate... so in this case it may not be possible to take your setup to another location.