whats with this broadband rule?

[Spyda]

i was just thinking about this, and i think there are too many stupid laws and rules to do with things
If I get ADSL I will want to hook up my 2 PCs through a router, (im new to this, i would hook it up through a Draytek 2600) the provider prohibits me from sharing the connection through a router.
Why?
I am only using it for my house, why not share it between two computers? I payed for the connection, I dont see why I can't do what I like with it, as long as I keep using the connection why arent they happy?
Just seems stupid.
It's not like Im going to try to uncap the modem to get more speed, i would just want to share the connection with 2 PCs instaed of one.

[RJ]

Hmm. Didn't know this was possible. But how can the provider know whether a PC or a router is connecting ?
I'm not sure if they can just do such a thing. I'd contact the provider and complain, and change the provider if needed.
I'm not aware of such a rule here in germany with DSL. My provider doesn't care whether I use a router or not, that I know for sure.

RJ

[doctorgonzo]

Many ISPs won't "support" a router, but that's just because they are looking to get away with as little customer service as possible, and to do that they tell you that if you change any little thing they can't give you any help. But really, what can an ISP do if you are using a router? Unless they have somebody stop by your house, they can't know what you are doing. Get your DSL and your router and set it up yourself. You won't get any help from your ISP, but you can always come here.

[reboot]

You're paying for X amount of bandwidth.
Wether you have 1 computer or 20 hooked up through a router, you are still only going to get X amount of bandwidth.
Go ahead and do it, just don't tell the ISP.
Most ISP's don't officially support LAN's, but they'll at least give you some clues on how to hook one up.
My ISP got tired of everyone buying routers, and started offering 4 IP's at no extra charge, then they promoted a discount deal on hubs. At one time, you got either a USR webcam or USR 4 port hub free with any new account.

Anyhow, back to the topic. It is a stupid rule, probably written by some unknowledgable academic suit and tie.
Get the router, hook it up to both computers, go to the configuration screen of the computer that is officially hooked to the net, and "clone mac".
Then plug the rest of the cables in to the internet modem and the other computer, and they'll never ever know.

[audiyoda]

Go ahead and hook it up. A while ago I got a e-mail from AT&T broadband. They told me that I needed to pay for the additional IP's I was using (up to 6 computers can be hooked up at any one time).

I told them BULL -- the only IP from their domain I'm pulling is the one to my router. I offered to pay if they could prove that I was actually using more than one IP that is apart of their domain. They still tried to force the issue so I called an old school pal at the State's Atorney General's office. I've yet to hear back from AT&Tbi regarding my offer -- seems Terry might have had a word or two with them....

The sad thing is, is that AT&Tbi most likely pulled this stunt on plenty of others and most of them probrably fell for AT&Tbi's crap.

-Craig