Cloned MAC to enable wireless....

[sm8000]

I was helping a neighbour set up her wireless connection today and could not get the router (Linksys BEFW11S4) to get internet (could not see or ping ISP's gateway, which I now have the address of) despite having its WAN port connected to the cable modem.

I would go into Network connections and see a new one, Broadband Connection, and I'd right-click and choose Connect, and it would ask me for a user name and password. We tried all the ones we could think of, but none of them would connect.

I eventually called Linksys and tech support had me "Clone MAC" on the PC in order to get online. It worked fine after that, but I was a bit perturbed - should I be concerned that the PC is basically connected in front of rather than behind the router?

[Sun]

If i am not mistaken you are behind the router not in front.

Its just a feature which just fools the ISP, since the PC is set up with a MAC address before the install of the router for your ISP. Your ISP knows abt that MAC address.

if you change the LAN card you did have to inform your ISP abt new MAC address.

But here, you just set it up to clone the mac address it was orginally set for your ISP.

So no need for the call.

Its just a feature, don't think the router is behind the PC, because its not.;)

[sm8000]

I understand now. Thanks! :t

[Midknyte]

you could have tried powering off the modem and router. then boot the modem first, followed by the router. that usually does the trick, unless you ISP is using MAC ID or something.

[sm8000]

Yes, Comcast uses MAC ID. I remember when my dad got his new laptop, we had to use the NIC from his old one for a few days until the new (onboard) one would connect.

[Cyan]

My ISP does use the mac ID, but you only have to change it once if you're using a router that'll let you put one in. Cuz the ISP sees the mac ID of the router, and not the computers. If you change routers tho, write it down or you'll have to call your ISP and have them set a new one.

[mobiker]

I have Comcast and they have the ID of the cable modem but I have changed the router and it still worked fine. As long as I don't change the modem it will connect.