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Router Question for the Experts

B

BassDominator

Senior member
I have a Linksys Etherfast Cable/DSL Router Model BEFSR41. My ISP requires that I register a MAC address. I would like to register my router's MAC address and set up a firewall for my computer.

My question is will my ISP be able to tell if I have more than one computer connected? I know that internal IP addresses are invisible. But what about internal MAC addresses?

For a while, I just plugged my computer into the router and my ISP into the uplink port. Rather than registering the router, I just registered my computer. It worked for a short while, until my ISP threatened to disconnect me because I was broadcasting two MAC addresses (one for the router and one for the computer).

If I register my router's MAC address and set the router to obtain the DHCP address from my ISP (rather than an internal NIC), will my ISP still be able to see more than one MAC address?

Thanks in advance,
Dave
 
They shouldn't be able to tell.

If you do use a router, you'll probably have to block all ports. Some port scanners will scan you and it will show your internal IP address and not the one that the ISP gave to you which is evidence that you are trying to share the connection.
 
Quickfingers, thanks a bunch for the suggestion. If I block all ports, though, will computers on the network have any problems accessing the internet?

JackMDS, thanks for the link, but I already searched the Linksys website. It doesn't mention whether internal MAC addresses are visible. I even called linksys support, and their response was along the lines of "Duh, I dunno?" I just got really tired of being on hold while they tried to find an answer.
 
You don't register your MAC address. Your ISP should be able to detect your MAC address and to register it. Your router's MAC address should be listed in the router configuration page. Your ISP can't detect your other PC's NIC's MAC address. It only sees your router's and its MAC address. Tell them that you use the router for security reason only.
 
You don't register your MAC address. Your ISP should be able to detect your MAC address and to register it.

I guess normally that's how it works. But I use a university as an ISP, and they require you to submit a MAC address, even though I know they could just detect it themselves.
 
Just submit your router's MAC address to them. The address should be listed in the router's configuration. I don't see how your university can see through your router.
 
I always think that commerical ISP is more sensitive to this issue than your university ISP. 🙂 If there are ways ISPs can see through your router, the commerical ISP should use them first.
 
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