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Setting
Up Your Cable Service
Your
cable company may send a technician to install your service or they
may send you a self-install kit. The process is pretty much
the same either way.
- Most
ISP's will not support a home network. Install the
system on one computer and get it working before setting up the
network.
- If
you tell the cable company you are sharing the connection they
may provide extra IP addresses and bill for them.
Prepare
for your new connection.
- Determine
where the cable modem will be located. It should be near
your computer or your Internet sharing router.
- The
easiest place to "split" the connection is near an existing
TV connection, however, the technician can cut the line to install
a splitter almost anywhere.
- TV
cable is bulky and a surface installation could be unsightly. You
may have to pay extra for a total in-the-wall installation.
- You
will need an Ethernet card. If the cable company does not
furnish one you will need to purchase one. We recommend a 100
MB PCI type Ethernet card; don't try to save $5 on an older 10
MB model.
Configuring
your new service
If
a technician does the installation they will register your modem
and configure the computer. If you do the installation you
will have to attend to these details. Several things are necessary
to complete the installation, regardless of who does it.
- A
technician should check the RF level on the line. A low RF
level can cause major problems with your Internet service. If
your TV reception is poor the Internet connection may be unusable.
.
- The
modem needs to be provisioned, or registered. Its model,
serial number, and "MAC Address" (a unique serial number)
must be entered into the cable company's computer.
- Once
the modem is provisioned it should connect to the cable network.
This can take a while, as long as 1/2 hour. This is a good
time to set up the computer.
- If
you plan to share your DSL connection you should install the service
on one computer to ensure it is working. If you have problems
your provider will want you to be working on a single machine
when they work with you.
- Be
sure to set up you e-mail accounts. The cable company should give
you information for setting up your e-mail program.
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