Ian Malone wrote: > > Do you know what make & model the modem is, and > have you checked the documentation and manufacturer's > site? From another post where you say it's managed > through a web interface I think it could be a router > without a switch (they do exist), but it's not > possible to confirm this without a model number. > > If the web interface mentions DHCP I'd say the odds > go up significantly. Also if you can find out what > gateway your computer is using for its net connection > a private subnet would probably indicate a router.[1] > It is not unusual for the "modem" to have a web interface. The thing to keep in mind is that what they are calling a modem for DSL or cable is not the same as the modem you would use on a voice phone line. (POTS) Besides modulation and demodulation, it also performs some of the functions of a router. But the router functions tend to be limited. It may function as a bridge, or it may do limited NAT. You may have the option of having the modem make a PPPoE connection to your ISP, or the modem may just provide the Ethernet connection that your computer (or firewall/router) makes the PPPoE connection over. with a web interface, the method used is probably configurable. One problem people run into with these devices is that they will only give out one DHCP lease at a time. You usually end up either power-cycling the modem if you want to change computers, or cloning the MAC address of the computer you used to configure it. This is why most home firewall/routers have an option to clone the mac address you are using to configure the router, and/or set a specific MAC address. (Things are different if you are paying for more then one IP address, but that is not the normal home setup.) This is why you can not just add a hub or switch and connect up more then one computer. there are ways to make it work, by setting up the first computer to do NAT or Internet connection sharing. Mikkel -- Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!
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