Ethernet Splitter

[istanlfc]

Hi.

 

I have two computers one of which is connected to the internet. I want both computers on the internet.

 

I have a virgin media modem with just an ethernet cable going into my PC.

 

Is there any such thing as a ethernet splitter so the ethernet cable from the modem will plug into it and i can add another ethernet cable to the other PC so it can connect to the internet?

[Geoff]

Yes, but it wont work for you. Cablemodems learn the mac addresses of what machines are connected to them, and VM limit this to one PC. Thus you can only have one connected at once.

 

You need a router.

[istanlfc]

thanks for replying.

 

if i buy a wireless router, what will i need for the other PC to collect the packets and connect?

[spliffmaster]

a wireless network card should do it

[MK-2]

If you were after an ethernet splitter that means both PCs have network cards. So why pay that bit extra for a wireless router and then a wi-fi card?

Just get a bog standard cable router and a couple of network leads

[plexer]

Before you can change it or after you've changed it you will probably need to contact VM and tell them this because otherwise they will still be expecting the mac address to be that of your old equipment not your new equipment.

 

Ben

[MK-2]

plexer, a lot of cable routers will let you choose a mac address to clone. just get the mac address of the pc currently with the internet, then in the routers config pages there should be a page letting you choose your own mac address. put the one in from the PC and it should all work fine. been doing that with mine for years cos there's no way i'm sitting for an hour on the phone to VM just to go through countless steps to tell them what i want

[browolf]

make sure you get a specific 'cable' router as adsl ones wont work.

[ConTheITGuy]

plexer, a lot of cable routers will let you choose a mac address to clone. just get the mac address of the pc currently with the internet, then in the routers config pages there should be a page letting you choose your own mac address. put the one in from the PC and it should all work fine. been doing that with mine for years cos there's no way i'm sitting for an hour on the phone to VM just to go through countless steps to tell them what i want

 

I'm on Virgin (previously Telewest). Before I got my router, I was always changing between my desktop and laptop - I just had to reboot the Modem. Similar when I got the router.

 

 

Andy

[MK-2]

andy: it seemed that telewest allowed you (i think) up to about 5 mac addresses to be used, whereas NTL customers were only allowed 1 and had to request others. VM have probably just kept that system

[Geoff]

No, telewest only allowed one.

[enjay]

Can't comment on VM, but back when we had NTL, we had an Ethernet switch-router connecting the two PCs and NTL's box. NTL wouldn't support us using it this way, so whenever we phoned them or had them round we always had to unplug it first, but it worked just fine.

[ConTheITGuy]

No, telewest only allowed one.

 

So how did I manage it, Geoff?!

 

 

Andy

[sidewinder]

It did use to be possible to register a different MAC address with many ipconfig/release and renew commands but it wasnt something you would want to do a lot.

It probably is still possible to change as you obviously have to consider people who buy a new PC

But officially they say only 1 PC can be connected so people dont just swap the cables and wonder why it suddenly doesnt work I would guess

[Geoff]

No, telewest only allowed one.

 

So how did I manage it, Geoff?!

 

 

Andy

 

You probably paid your fiver and signed up for the dual connection deal.

[enjay]

If Telewest/NT/Virgin are counting MAC addresses on the lines, surely a router would fool that? As far as they are concerned, there is only one MAC address, therefore one device, connected. Certainly, I never paid NTL a dual connection charge...

[Geoff]

That's correct. Hence my original suggestion.

[mattx]

I had the old Telewest broadband connection when it was first launched.

To start with you were only allowed one MAC addresses. But you could add others and change it etc. All I did was spoof the original one I had allocated because everytime I added or changed it, it never worked.

Then it was changed so you did not have to register any Mac addresses. When that was introduced that worked for me without a problem. I am not sure what Virgen Media are up to now and frankly I don't care - ever since they have come on board the service is a joke.

 

Their mail servers are up and down more frequently than a whores knickers.

They have introduced IP throttling.

The TV service lost some major channels - [ not that care, as I DLed most stuff ]

The phone charges have gone up.

They charge to call up support for the broadband even though the problem is their end.

The non direct debit charge is a complete rip off.

I enquired about the v+ box so I could watch some HD stuff - they wanted to charge me £100 connection fee, even though if you are a new customer its free. I have been a Telewest / Cable Corp customer since Screen Sport and Wire TV days.

 

In a nutshell, as soon as I get planning permission to chop down the Ash Tree in my back garden, its Sky all the way and perhaps another broadband package from another supplier.

 

Virgin Media are worse than Sophos in my opinion.

[ConTheITGuy]

Certainly, I never paid NTL a dual connection charge...

 

Me neither! Maybe I just got lucky.

 

 

Andy

[Geoff]

Well they were trialing it for a while for free. Plus I also recall that if you were on the highest speed(s) you got it thrown in free too.

[cam115]

im pretty new to forums, this is a question(obviously) but i probly put it in the wrong place. haha...

 

i am putting a computer in my room. we already have a rooter.

will an ethernet splitter work off a rooter

and will it connect my computer and xbox to the internet?

[powdarrmonkey]

You need a device called a switch (this ubiquitous 'ethernet splitter'), and some ethernet cables (don't buy them from Staples..) Plug the whole lot in together and away you go.

 

Next time please start a new thread.