NTL & Routers

[Flyer]

I tried to setup a Belkin router (I know, I wasn't asked ) for my BIL last night - what should have been a 30 minute job turned into a 3 hour job, and it still doesn't work

I don't know anything about NTL (well, apart from some research this morning), so don't really know how they do things, so a couple of questions:

1. Do NTL use the username and password? If so, which one is it? I tried the form user.name, which failed, but then tried a sequence of alphanumerics which did, temporarily, work.

2. Does NTL use PPPoE?

3. I didn't clone the MAC address of the PC that could connect to the router - could that be the problem (I've read today that NTL use the MAC address).

I've looked on NTL's site and NTL Hell without much success ...

Much easier setup with ADSL

 

[RichardM]

I use an NTL modem with a Belkin Cable/DSL Wireless router without any problems. On mine NTL doesn't use a username/password except for email access. They use the MAC address of the cable modem, you don't need to select clone the PC MAC address. I left everything pretty much on the default settings.

What's wrong with Belkin?

 

[Flyer]

Hi Richard

So what do you set for encapsulation? (Can't remember what term Belkin use, but it's the page where you can select PPPoE, PPPoA, etc.)

My BIL had his PC connected to the STB and I understand (perhaps incorrectly) that NTL authorise that particular MAC address to connect. If you change PCs, do you not have to contact NTL to re-authorise (assuming you don't use a router)? So, again my understanding, is that I need to provide the MAC address of the authorised PC to the router so that NTL "think" it is the PC that is connecting, not the router?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Shude]

What's wrong with Belkin?

Some of their stuff is overpriced imho and from what I have read they can be a bit fiddly to set up! I'm sure their stuff works fine once it's going.

My Uncle works for Syngenta, they tried to use their serial-port-emulation stuff over USB and it never worked properly, dispite USB being Belkin's "thing"!

 

[RichardM]

Hi Richard

So what do you set for encapsulation? (Can't remember what term Belkin use, but it's the page where you can select PPPoE, PPPoA, etc.)

My BIL had his PC connected to the STB and I understand (perhaps incorrectly) that NTL authorise that particular MAC address to connect. If you change PCs, do you not have to contact NTL to re-authorise (assuming you don't use a router)? So, again my understanding, is that I need to provide the MAC address of the authorised PC to the router so that NTL "think" it is the PC that is connecting, not the router?

Thanks for any help.

Hi Andrew,
I'm at work at the moment so I can't check the settings until later this evening. Its only the Cable Modem MAC address NTL ask for (and that they use to authorise), you can change the PC connected to it although you have to reboot the modem (switch it off/on). You also have to reboot it if your switching from using USB with the old setup to Ethernet for connecting to the router. I normally switch the Modem on first then the router.

Is it definitely a Cable/DSL router? That is the only type that will work connected directly to the Modem.

One other note, as NTL exists from buying lots of companies who all had different technology, it could be a very different setup to mine!

 

[RichardM]

So what do you set for encapsulation? (Can't remember what term Belkin use, but it's the page where you can select PPPoE, PPPoA, etc.)

I checked mine last night as its set to 'Dynamic' not to PPPoE or PPTP. Let me know if you want me to check any other settings.

 

[Flyer]

Thanks a lot Richard, that helps immensely.

The crucial part is that NTL use the MAC address for authorisation. My BIL was telling me last night that when he got a new computer, he had to contact NTL to allow access. So now that he has a router, we can either clone his PC address onto the router, or contact NTL and get the router's MAC address authorised. By using the Dynamic setting (the default, which would explain you not having to change anything), we're not concerned with username and passwords. All sank into place now Cheers.

BTW When I was setting it up initially, I found a neighbour's unsecured wireless network - until I can get over tomorrow, my BIL is taking advantage of his neighbour's generosity

 

[RichardM]

Glad that helps! I've certainly never given NTL my PC Mac address, or informed them when changing PC's (which I do quite often!). It could be quite different for his area though.

People moan about NTL but I think the 1.5Mb service is great. Its very fast and 99% reliable, only very rarely being offline. I can't remember the last time mine was down (touch wood).

 

[Flyer]

I think the difference could be that he doesn't have a separate cable modem - he simply plugs a Cat5 cable into his Set top box, other end into his PC, et voila!

Does that make sense?

 

[fuzzer]

I think the difference could be that he doesn't have a separate cable modem - he simply plugs a Cat5 cable into his Set top box, other end into his PC, et voila!

Does that make sense?

yeah , unlucky tho..

That setup is really pants and keeps breaking. a stand alone cable modem .

i believe that those can only do a meg anyways.

 

[Flyer]

Right, so he really should have got a cable modem then? Where does that plug into? Or is it something that NTL have to set up?

I don't think he'll change at the minute, but it's something to bear in mind.

 

[RichardM]

NTL say they have to set it up, but all they do is plug it into the coax.

 

[mercmanuk]

just start your system in dos.type ipconfig.find the mac address.then ipconfig release .restart system and away you go