Originally posted by: MichaelD
Originally posted by: Warlord721
You have to call your cable company and tell them you are using a new Network controller. As Comcast programs your service to the MAC address of your network card, you cannot attach your cable modem to another NIC unless you call them and have them reassign your IP to the new MAC address. It is a simple procedure and only takes a few minutes.
Not saying everyone else is wrong, but Warlord721 MAY be right....depends on the cable company. The problem here is called Routing Tables. A list of MACs that are allowed on the network. Not on the list, you don't get on.
I had the exact above scenario happen to me two years ago with Time Warner (Roadrunner). I built a new box, new box had onboard NIC, so I wasnt' using the PCI NIC from the other "original" box.
Couldn't get an IP no matter how many times I reset the modem, rebooted or tried a release/renew, etc. Finally called the cable company and the tech inadvertantly explained it to me...so I researched further.
SOME cable companies program the MAC of the first NIC you use into their routing tables. You will only be able to use that NIC to get on their network. You can move that NIC to different systems and it will work, but you can't use a DIFFERENT NIC.
The way around this is:
1. Disconnect current system from the modem.
2. Buy a $40 SOHO Router/Switch/Gateway, call the cable company.
3. Tell them you got a new network adapter ("NIC" if you're on the phone w/a Level I tech...they are useless)
4. They'll reset you and when you plug your shiny new router into the modem, their routers will grab your router's MAC addy.
5. Your router/switch will do NAT on your end and you'll get all the IPs you want and the cable compnay will still only see ONE MAC addy
6. Crack cold beer and bask in the smugness of knowing you rock