You can connect to Comcast with Linux (or a Broadband router etc.), but I believe the initial connection requires a Windows PC in order to run the setup CD they supply you with. In my experiences, to activate your account, you need to provide your Comcast account number and some other number that should be highlighted on the service invoice that the installer should have given you a copy of. This information is put into the GUI that I believe contacts some internal Comcast server, allowing you to then connect to the internet. There is no MAC address registering like the old mediaone/attbi system, you are free to use any NIC once you have completed the initial registration. This could all be sidestepped I guess by calling Comcast and doing it manually over the phone with a technician. You will of course have to lie and say that your setup CD is not working, and then pretend to reboot your "windows" machine when they ask you to, etc. I have done it that way, but I find it is much easier to deal with them as infrequently as possible.
Also update your kernel, and patch your system completely. You are entering an entirely new world of exposure by having a Linux box on the outside. If you are unfamiliar with Linux security, I recommend running the Bastille script (http://www.bastille-linux.org/) before connecting your machine to the internet. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 12:13 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Connecting to Comcast Hi All, I've *finally* got a cable modem (after waiting about 7 years:) however, I can't seem to get Linux to connect. I've tried getting a dhcp address from the modem, but nothing happens. The "PC/Activity" light is flashing an awful lot, but it seems to do this even when the interface is down (I'm assuming this is lowlevel link-layer traffic). I've tried using pump to get an address, and watched daemon.log and an ethereal trace, and both show a bootp request going out, but nothing ever comes back. Does Comcast require you to register MAC addresses? I know MediaOne did, but the guy came today and just hooked up the cable modem and left. I just got basic installtion, so he didn't muck with the system at all in order to get a MAC address from it, nor did he mention to my wife that I'd have to do this. Anyone have any ideas? So far I've if[up|down]ed the interface (eth1, netgear), I've power-cycled the cable mode, etc. No firewall script yet, so that's not causing any problems. Kernel 2.4.19 (yeah, I need to upgrade) Debian sid Comcast Motorola Surfboard SB5100 Netgear NIC Any info would be great, thanks! -- Seeya, Paul -- Key fingerprint = 1660 FECC 5D21 D286 F853 E808 BB07 9239 53F1 28EE It may look like I'm just sitting here doing nothing, but I'm really actively waiting for all my problems to go away. If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right! _______________________________________________ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss _______________________________________________ gnhlug-discuss mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mail.gnhlug.org/mailman/listinfo/gnhlug-discuss