I've been running this computer on a cable modem connected by a short Ethernet cable for about a year now. Now I have a couple of roomies who want to share the connection via wireless. Could we swap out the cable modem for a wireless broadcaster type thing that wouldn't actually have physical connections to any computer or does one computer have to be on 24/7? How reliable/fast is this wireless stuff? The ISP (Charter) web site has a page supposedly about wireless but the page just says it has some special software and how great it is to bundle TV and telephone in the same package.

Just plug a wireless router into the cable modem. Plug your computer into the router. (Your computer doesn't have to be on.) Your roommates can use the WiFi.

If you have the router clone your MAC address before you hook it up to the cable modem, your ISP won't even know anything has changed.

Ah! Thank you! I'll wait a bit to see if anyone else has anything to say before I hand out the cookies.

I don't have any way to tell if anything has changed. I grew up on the east coast (Canada) and there was more snow than air in the winter. Where I live now we get a few small snowfalls a year. And I'm in the Rockies. You'd figure it would snow more where everyone skies but apparently it only snows at the higher elevations around here. Temperature wise, it's very mild here too most of the time, though I would wager it used to be colder here in the winter, based on living here about 10 years and a few years in Calgary 100KM from here.

Uh... ok

Trent... Dude... You posted in the wrong thread... Search for the "winter" thread, remember, the "winter" thread...

How did this happen. I blame AMCerasoli. Carry on.

ISPs nowadays provide router/modem combos that do the whole deal. Since you mention you already have a cable modem that provides you an ethernet port, just buy any wifi router in the 30-60$ range. I prefer linksys devices for home routing.

hahaha, nah man... Now you gonna have to post something about a router in the "winter" thread to balance things up...

And they all suck. But otherwise I agree. Get a decent Wifi router and be done with it.

I have a combo modem/router (and VoiP and Digital TV over Coax) but because I had a crazy DD-WRT, I just disabled the WiFi on the ISP router and use my own.

Currently, my DD-WRT is the only way I know how much bandwidth I use a month right now...

qm.gif

OK thanks!

[EDIT]

Well, they called the ISP and asked about this, and were told that if a router we bought destroyed the cable modem, we'd have to pay for the cable modem, but with their router, the cable modem is under warranty or some such. It doesn't really matter, since I plan on moving out in the next couple of months to avoid the 80 decibel drama at all hours anyway.

That just sounds like they're trying to hustle you. I see no reason why a wireless router would possibly damage the modem (aside from maybe catastrophic failure, like a fire). I'd just tell them to go fuck themselves.

I'm overruled by majority vote. I know you guys don't have a vested interest, but we're talking average Americans here.

I meant the ISP, not your roommates. Get a cheap wireless router (or make your roommates get it if they're the ones that are going to use it) and be done with it. Should be easy to setup and there's no reason it shouldn't work (I guess do the MAC cloning ML suggested if your ISP would affect service based on the device connected to the modem, but I don't imagine they'd care...).

"The experts" told them it was better, therefore we're going to do it that way. I'm also selling all my auto repair tools for the same reason, no use doing things at a cut rate to get the business only to have Joe Sixpack tell the customer that "it's not how daddy fixed it".

If you still have a pc that connects through ethernet, you'll want a wired/wireless router. Or a wireless card for the pc. The cable company is trying to hustle you on thier router. I had several of my own without a problem. We replaced the modem once, most likely due to age. Trent, I think global warming caused you to post in the wrong thread.

I found out the cable company will be by Thursday with the new router for the low, low price of $15 per month forever. I guess this is like buying a new router or cable modem every 4 months.

But if it breaks, they'll replace it for free.

So if I broke something every 4 months I'd be just as well off? How about I don't break it?

How about you call your ISP and tell them to go fuck themselves because you've discovered that <insert_other_one_here> is way better?

Its not really his ISP, and I don't think he cares.

if you dont feel comfortable with all the networking equipment being suggested i highly recommend you follow your ISP's recommendation as they will be the ones providing you and your room mates live phone support when things go wrong, not us.

They'll pull a yves and say they don't support Linux.

i support linux for a living, i just dont support mac & amigaos

I thought you supported AmigaOS.

[EDIT]

The cable guy came along and set up this new modem, and replaced a faulty box outside while he was at it. But I googled for the modem model number etc. and I think it's kinda sorta wide open, but if I change stuff from the defaults then I suppose the ISP would get all bent outta shape. Yep, time to move...

You actually think they'd notice? Unless you're uncapping the modem, they don't really give a shit what you do, at least until you call up asking for support.