At 04:42 PM 6/26/2002, Dennis Thiel wrote: >A friend of mine was told by Adelphia that if he wanted to share his cable >internet access with other computers in his home, it would cost an extra >$24.95 per month per computer. I was under the impression that when you have >a network with one computer as the gateway connected to the internet, the >client computers have their own internal IP addresses that can't be seen by >the outside world. Only the gateway computer has an external IP address. >What's to stop him from setting up his own network and sharing the >connection? How would anyone know? I've heard of people buying secondary >static IP addresses for additional computers and this makes no sense to me >either. Doesn't just the gateway have to have the external address? Yes, everything you said is correct. Either the customer representative from Adelphia misunderstood your friend or they have a policy that is unenforceable. One thing however, I recommend instead of using a gateway computer that you use a dsl/cable router specifically designed for this purpose, such as the Linksys BEFSX41: http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=433&grid=23 Actually, most companies that sell network cards also have a router just like this one. The router is as far as the cable company can see into his network, as it provides a firewall and the network can have as many PCs as you want. Bob Wright The NoSpin Group http://freepctech.com . Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://freepctech.com