Techies - Can I share my Comcast broadband connection?

[Room101]

I was under the impression that all I need to share my Comcast high-speed connection between two computers is a wireless Router.

So I thought?

My father placed a call to Comcast to inquire and they gave him some rap about Comcast charging more and needing to install more equipment or software.

Help me, I'm lost.

[anti_shrub]

You can share with a router

Comcast prefers you pay $5 a month for extra IPs for each PC you network so they can monitor how much each PC downloads.

My friend did it Comcast's way and the funny part is they never charged him for the extra addresses.

[jayavarman]

1. I'm doing it right now!

just get a router . . . . should be all you need

[Room101]

5. jayavarman- I'm using XP for both computers....

How do I set it up? Do I use the Internet connection sharing option?

[TOhioLiberal]

13. you don't need...

..Internet connection sharing. It may interfere with your connection.

[jayavarman]

15. I've got to admit

I don't know a whole lot about this kind of stuff . . . my router is a wired one & I just pluggedeverything in & it worked!

I have 1 xp & 1 windows 98

good luck

[kcwayne]

2. I have comcast, and a router, and multiple PC's, and pay for 1 connection

Comcast are idiots, and they assume you are too. Let them install a standard configuration of the modem to a single PC. Then you simply
put a wired or wireless router between your PC and the cable modem, and you can run as many PC's as you want.

[Xithras]

3. You just need a wireless router that supports cable.

The router will handle the IP's and stuff that Comcast wants to charge you extra for. Be aware, however, that Comcast considers this a TOS violation and can cut your service if you're caught (one of the reasons I told Comcast to shove it and installed DSL).

[Room101]

4. The second computer will just be for casual surfing

Is Comcast anal about catching people sharing?

[IronLionZion]

8. they won't catch you

and it's ok to share

[Misunderestimator]

6. You just need the router... they're snowing you.

[IronLionZion]

7. don't tell Comcast

use the router and search google on how to configure it and assign IP addresses.

[Deja Q]

9. They'll charge you for more unless you buy a router from Best Buy... but,

if Comcast starts to scan for what is connected at each node, they can translate the MAC address of the router into the brand name of the component. The MAC address is split into brand ID and network ID.

And if they do catch you, you'll get fined a lot or service disconnected.

But they probably don't do that now. But as bandwidth technology improves, you can bet they will do it in the future.

You'll want a firewall/router as well. A $40 router-only won't protect you at all from the outside world.

[RC]

10. Not true.

"...router-only won't protect you at all from the outside world."

The firewall router is better, but any router will go a long ways to protect you because the ip address's of the equipment behind the router do not show up on the net.

[Deja Q]

14. You are correct...

Thanx for the clarification.

[mongo]

11. Do you even need a router?

We share a dial-up connection between two PC's now and just have a cross-over cable to connect the machines.

[sendero]

12. I have 6 computers....

.... connected to my DSL. All you need is a router/gateway. The gateway part is what facilitates the sharing. The router part acts as a firewall to provide security for your internal network against hacks from the outside.

Get something from LinkSys or NetGear and you won't have any trouble.

[bbernardini]

16. Comcast LIES.

I have two machines, one Windows, one Apple, hooked up to one router, and they share the connection with no problems. I can even get the Apple to see the Windows machine, although I can't seem to get it to access the printer hooked up there.

[No2W2004]

17. I have comcast and here's what I use to connect our computers:

Netgear RP614 4-Port Cable/DSL WebSafe Router

Securely extend your broadband Internet connection to all of your computers with the NETGEAR RP614 Web Safe Router Gateway. Each person can instantly benefit from high-speed Web access, file sharing, video streaming, head-to-head Internet gameplaying, and MP3 downloading. This highly capable 4-port Internet gateway provides state-of-the-art filtering and controls that allow parents to limit URL access and monitor Internet activities, while firewall protection secures your computers and network against hackers. Setup couldn't be easier – a Smart Setup Wizard automatically detects your Internet connection type and then the animated Installation Assistant and on-screen help guide you through each step. The Web Safe Router Gateway is sleekly designed and is compatible with all Ethernet cable and DSL modems and with all Internet service providers.

With XP, all you do is plug in the computers.

EDIT: It's around 50 bucks at Best Buy, and Comcast doesn't really care about it. They only say that to get the suckers to pay the extra money.

[Nomad559]

18. NetGear

I have the same Router No2W2004 :)

I have 3 computers and my ReplayTV connected to It.

[Az]

19. When travelling I carry a spare router

Whenever I get to someones house I throw the router on their net connection so my laptops can continue to surf the net.

Its really quite simple to set up. Its completely legal. And of course the corporations will try to stop you from doing it.

Its a simple matter of you pay for the bandwidth. You get to use it how you choose to. The corporations simply want to make more money. This is what they do. If they see a means of sticking it to the public they will do so.