Using Cable Modems on Older Macs

 

 

 

From: "voyager" <netta@vol.com>

To: <classic-post@hitznet.com>

Subject: cable modem

Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 05:12:07 -0400

You need ethernet to use this service (I used to work as technical support

for roadrunner). The cable modem (external toshiba or motorola) converts

the cable (same one that carries all your other channels- this service fits

all that bandwidth into ONE t.v. channel) into ethernet. I think any mac

that qualifies to be on this list may have problems using the login

software- last I heard you needed 7.6 minimum OS and Open Transport

installed- i think 040 or PowerMac too, maybe?. Plus it would be kind of a

waste to use such speedy service with such a wimpy machine anyway. I would

consider getting another more recent mac (Q650/6100?) for peanuts these

days, and using it as a TCP/IP gateway. Network it ot your classic and you

will get many advantages (share HD, CD etc) for the classic and also a big

screen, color, CD audio, fast mac into the deal. You could probably get a

quadra650 (built in ethernet) for not much more than an ethernet card for

your classic. The service is awesome though...I can get full CD quality

streaming audio (CD quality= 44.1k *2 (stereo) = about 80kB =800kb stream).

Things like hotmail ( limit each clients connection speed equally) wont go

any faster...but you rarely blame YOUR isp for slow surfing! Check for

system requirement from the local roadrunner provider in your area- sign up

includes a PCI ethernet card (PC card only- not sure if they'll offer a mac

one for you). It's been a while since I worked there, but I doubt the

minimum system requirements would go DOWN in time... DaveK I'm

contemplating getting a cable modem. Can we connect to a Mac with these, or

do you have to have ethernet built in. some of my Macs have ethernet, some

don't. I think that if you have ethernet, then you don't need the "modem".

Any experience here? Do you need a transceiver? I am in the USA. Media One

RoadRunner would be the cable modem service. Donna Pointer

-------------------------------------------------------

---------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 10:21:19 -0700

To: Classic Posts <classic-post@hitznet.com>

From: Mike Ford <mikeford@socal.rr.com>

Subject: Re: Cable Modems

>From: Donna Hood Pointer <dpointer@wccnet.org>

>Subject: cable modems

>

>I'm contemplating getting a cable modem. Can we connect to a Mac with

>these, or do you have to have ethernet built in. some of my Macs have

>ethernet, some don't. I think that if you have ethernet, then you don't

>need the "modem". Any experience here? Do you need a transceiver? I am in

>the USA. Media One RoadRunner would be the cable modem service. Donna

>Pointer

RoadRunner are typical PC snobs, and won't come out to install or offer any

support on non PPC macs.

The cable modem though will work on anything with a 10bt ethernet

connection and DHCP (the later may mean open transport only, but I don't

know for sure). What the cable modem does is convert the signal that goes

on the cable TV wire to ethernet, so you do need the modem. If your mac

doesn't have a 10bt ethernet connection, then you MUST get one either via

transceiver if it has a AAUI port, or with a card.

What you need to do.

Initially RoadRunner may not allow "self installs", so you will need to

either wait, or borrow a "supported" computer for the install. Either way

you will end up with about 10 lines of printed information for your

"account". You remove the "supported" computer and enter the information

into your trusty old mac and connect it to the 10bt and it should work just

fine, maybe a little slow, but it should be much faster than dialup.

The catch

RoadRunner client software is PPC only. The client software is what you

must run to make any changes to your accounts, setup a web page, or sub

accounts (you get 5 email ids, the first is the main, the rest you setup

yourself as sub accounts).

Some links that "may" help, but sooner or later a good write up needs to go

on the low end mac pages or something.

http://www.vortech.net/rrlinux/ specific to linux, but likely good info.

http://xorsis.retrothreads.com/cgi-bin/show.cgi?path=software/road_runner.html

This is a shareware client that while it doesn't work on all RR systems, it

does come in both a PPC and 68k version.

--------------------

Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1999 18:09:18 -0400

From: Dean Lyons <printlyon@mediaone.net>

To: classic-post@hitznet.com

Subject: Mac/Cable Modem

You will still get the Modem from MediaOne. They use an External Modem

for Macintosh, it will connect thru your Ethernet Port. When MediaOne

connected my 7500, it would not connect thru the Built-in Ethernet, so

they installed a Daynaport Ethernet card, it connected fine. A year

later the External Modem died, they replaced it and it would not connect

to the DaynaPort, but worked fine with the built-in Ethernet. Your base

unit has to have 10/100 Base T Internet, then your Clasic Macs can be

networked and have CableModem Access to MediaOne. I have a IIci and and

SE20 (a colloqialism to describe an SE w/20Mg HD) connected to MediaOne.

The Tech Support has been outstanding, (usual disclaimers, I don't work

for, etc.) The Speed is unreal, a 5 Mg file will DL in 30 seconds.

Streaming Video is almost like watching TV.

Dean Lyons

PrintLyon@mediaone.net

Donna Wrote:

Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 23:44:41 +0100

To: Classic Posts <classic-post@hitznet.com>

From: Donna Hood Pointer <dpointer@wccnet.org>

Subject: cable modems

I'm contemplating getting a cable modem. Can we connect to a Mac with

these, or do you have to have ethernet built in. some of my Macs have

ethernet, some don't. I think that if you have ethernet, then you don't

need the "modem". Any experience here? Do you need a transceiver? I am

in

the USA. Media One RoadRunner would be the cable modem service. Donna

Pointer