Cable Modem Questions:
0) Do cable modems have any ISP specific firmware or programming in them?
1) If I take my (3com) cable modem to my neighbor (who has the same ISP, and the same type of modem as me), will she be able to use my modem to acccess her account?
2) What If I take my (3com) cable modem to another pal's house who has a different brand of modem and a different cable ISP service, will my modem work on his account?
3) What if II take my iBook and my cable modem over to another pal's house who has cable TV, but not broadband access (no Internet), will he be able to log on with my account using my hardware? Same MAC address, etc...
4) Do I have to use the modem my ISP gave me? Is it possible to buy another one if I want?
5) What about DSL? Are DSL modems "hard-coded" with ISP sepcific data?
[ 12-18-2002: Message edited by: dstranathan ]</p>
1) If I take my (3com) cable modem to my neighbor (who has the same ISP, and the same type of modem as me), will she be able to use my modem to acccess her account?
2) What If I take my (3com) cable modem to another pal's house who has a different brand of modem and a different cable ISP service, will my modem work on his account?
3) What if II take my iBook and my cable modem over to another pal's house who has cable TV, but not broadband access (no Internet), will he be able to log on with my account using my hardware? Same MAC address, etc...
4) Do I have to use the modem my ISP gave me? Is it possible to buy another one if I want?
5) What about DSL? Are DSL modems "hard-coded" with ISP sepcific data?
[ 12-18-2002: Message edited by: dstranathan ]</p>
Comments
so, i think:
0) no.
1) yes.
2) maybe.
3) doubtful. i think there is hdwr in ur house/building that's setup for the cable modem, and if ur friend doesn't have a modem, then lacking that hardware.
4) possible, but i wouldn't bother. u'd definitely want at least a short warrantee incase it doesn't workout.
5) i know very little about dsl, or dsl modems.
Furthermore, IP addresses of cable modems are usually assigned corresponding to the hardware address of your computer. This poses issues if you plug it into another machine, though not for all ISPs
<strong>In regards to use your cable modem elsewhere, it is difficult. The other residence has to have cable service provided by your ISP; they really just need to have access to your ISP's lines, and that access needs to be enabled to come into his domicile.
Furthermore, IP addresses of cable modems are usually assigned corresponding to the hardware address of your computer. This poses issues if you plug it into another machine, though not for all ISPs</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, most ISPs in the US use plain old DOCSIS 1.x, so pretty much any modem you find at Fry's or CompUSA should work. If you take your modem provided by ATTBI to your friend's house who has Cox, it would probably work without a hitch. On a few occasions I've had a tech tell me that they had to reregister the modem on their side of the connection, but I don't think they really do anything.
As far as MAC addresses are concerned, I know ATTBI doesn't use any of those types of restrictions here.