Can Comcast do this to us?!?!

[Dolemite69]

We have comcast cable internet in CHarleston SC, and two computers split with a netgear router. It has been working perfectly, but now we can't share. If I bypass the router and just connect the modem to the computer then it works, but going through the router, it works but barely. Like there is a burst of activity every 5-10 minutes or so. We called comcast and they asked us if we were sharing the connection thru a router or hub, and we said no. But somehow, i think they knew. What can i do?

THanks!

 

[rw120555]

Sounds bad. You had better move out - tonight - while you still can.:Q

Seriously, there are about 500 other things I would trouble-shoot first before I got too paranoid. Start by turning off your router for 15 minutes and see if that helps. Look at the Anandtech networking faqs. Read through some of the other messages here. Call Netgear Tech support, maybe it is an equipment problem. Even if your OS isn't WinXP, the solutions to a lot of netwroking problems can often be found here.

I mean, they could be out to get you, but it is also possible that if you had answered yes, they'd have given you some tips on how to solve the problem. Or, more likely, just said you're on your own, since it sounds like the problem is with your router or your setup since a single computer can connect just fine. Try a few things first, and if you are not getting anywhere write back with a few more specifics (like your OSs) and maybe we can nail it down.

Good luck!

 

[Fatt]

Originally posted by: Dolemite69
We called comcast and they asked us if we were sharing the connection thru a router or hub, and we said no. But somehow, i think they knew. What can i do?

THanks!

I'm sure they suspect, most likely based upon the questions you were asking them but I cannot think of any way they could KNOW.

Let me clarify that...

There are ways for them to discover you are running a router, but getting a router to cough up it's Mac address is one thing. Actually seeing past the router into your network is another.

In theory anything is hackable but I just don't see it happeneing, you know?

Just so you know, here is what a router does:
__________________________________________________________________

"Say there Mr. ISP guy, you just give me that IP address and I'll pass along whatever data has to flow between you and Mr Computer. Just consider me Mr Computer's new executive secretary and bodyguard.
What's that? Is there more than 1 computer I'm taking care of?
Well, that's none of your damn business, is it?
This is MY network and you're being paid to supply me with an IP address.
I take care of the rest.
So you just do your job and nobody gets hurt, Capice?"
__________________________________________________________________


Anyway, like someone already mentioned...
There is a LOT to troubleshoot on your end.
Start with layer 1 and work your way up.

 

[bUnMaNGo]

as rw said, I think the reason why they're asking if you're running a router is because that's their way of weaseling out of tech support. I don't think they're responsible for providing support to you if you're sharing the connection through a router... I think it should be somewhere in your contract.

 

[Shuten]

Where is the Anandtech networking faqs?

I haven't been able to locate it yet?

Thanks all,
shuten

 

[SgtBuddy]

It is not really weaseling out of Tech Support. If Comcast had to fix everyone's private network woes, they would go out of business.

On my network (at work) we had no control about a year ago. Then "it" happened. We took control. No more "Mr. I gots skillz" trying to hook up his homemade fiber connections to his desktop puter to "make it fasterz" We locked down every port on all our switched (Cisco gear, port security is a good thing).

7000 nodes going strong with 99.94% uptime...damn APS UPSes...and our trouble calls have dropped 90%. I hated going out only to find some spaghetti networking put together by Billy Bob and Jimbo on their own time. Undocumented and definately not standard. Now, when I go out, I know exactly what I am going to find. Gooberboy tried to plug is his virus laden laptop and the switch locked him out of my network!

But, I digress. Way to go Comcast, you gots a router and share out to your roomies, fix your own darn network...

Now, what was the problem? heh


Start with layer one and systemtically troubleshoot. FAQs are a good thing

 

[rw120555]

You'll find the answers to all the questions of the world here, both for networking and all other topics