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A co-worker of mine resigned today. His new job at Comcast: Hunting down 'abusers' of the service. More specifically, anyone using NAT to connect more than one computer to their cable modem to get Internet access- whether or not you're running servers or violating any other Acceptable Use Policies. Comcast has an entire department dedicated to eradicating NAT users from their network. We knew this was coming since this Slashdot article from two months ago, but did anyone think they'd already be harassing people that are using nothing more than the bandwidth for which they are paying? It makes me very happy that my DSL kit arrived yesterday, and I'll be cancelling my Comcast cable modem early next week."
Talk about a bummer. I hope this isn't a growing trend.
If I pay for bandwidth, it is MINE. At least that is how I feel about it.
Question is exactly how is NAT detectable? Generally NAT runs on a single router/server and is the only public comp that is seen, or at least from my understanding.
I heard a while back that if you are running linux they'll automatically assume you're trying to run a server with their service and shut your service off. Now ain't <b>that</b> some shit! You should be able to use whatever bandwidth they give you. If I want to run an FTP server so I can access my computer away from home, I should be able to.......
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You know what drives me nuts? I don't have comcast, I have AT&T... but I hate how I pay $46.95/month for BROADBAND service, and both my upload is capped at 128k and my download is capped at 1.5Mb... now if I'm paying for broadband service WHY is it crippled?? unfortunately choices aren't abounding so there isn't much I can do short of going back to dial up.
"Why build only one when you can build two for twice the price?"
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KAKAROT: That's understandable. In the early days without a cap, some people would hog all the bandwidth and ruin it for anyone else. There's nothing wrong with a cap, as long as they tell you up front (they do).
Anyway, I have a hard time understanding, other than to physically look or to ask you, how they could possibly know if you have a NAT router? All they see from their end is a modem with such and such a MAC address, and they can port scan and ping your computer (or NAT router) but that's it. I don't think that will tell them that you're running a NAT (network engineers please post if you know otherwise - I'm no expert).
In my case I'm using a software NAT running on an NT box. I can't see anyway that they can see ANYTHING from their end except the NT box.
Then again, assuming you CAN detect a NAT, how can you LEGALLY prove someone is using more than one computer? There are LEGITAMATE uses for a NAT. Some people buy them as hardware firewalls. Some people are also installing wireless access points, which have a NAT, but they may be using it with only one laptop computer. Prove they're not - it's WIRELESS.
With almost every serious computer user now having both a desktop and a lappy, I can't see how they can seriously do this without driving away business.
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“The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.” - Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez
You are right, there is no FOOLPROOF way to detect a NAT service running, but they can "fingerprint" you.
Apparantly, they can get an idea through the statistics of your usage whether or not more than one computer is accessing simultaneously. It is impossible to PROVE, though. All they have to do is call you and ask. If you are unaware of the policy WHAM! Your service is off until you comply.
They probably rely on your average joe not knowing about NAT, or how that magic windows app works. They just ask if you have more than one PC, or if you bought one of those little stand alone routers. Your own admission is what does you in.
By "fingerprinting" I imagine what they could do is see if you are having many simulatanious requests to different ports/sites and if it keeps up then take a guess that you are allowing multiple computers to log in?
I don't see how they can do that... Thats plain and simply bullshit. You pay for the service... It shouldn't matter if you use 1 computer or 100 computers since you pay for the service... As long as your complying to their rules. Its not like your hogging bandwidth when your capped anyways! Stupid assholes just wanting everyone to purchase a cable modem and pay a fee for each computer that you own thats on the net... This just pisses me off... I asked my cable company flat out can i run mroe than one comptuer on this... They said run as many as you want on that one modem. They told me whatever i do with my bandwidth is up to me as long as i comply to their user agreement which states no ftp webservers and stuff like that... which is fine i have no plans on any of that... And Kak don't bitch... I'm capped at 768 down 128 up... The up don't bother me but the down does... i pay 45.95 a month just because i dont' have their shitty cable TV. Its still a hell of a lot faster than dial up!
There are all these "rumors" floating about and alot of it smells like BS. Nothing but rumors and people trying to strike panic in others.
My parents were having a problem with their cable modem last week. I went by to take a look at it, and realize it was something with the line, not their computer/Linksys 4 port cable router. So they called a tech to come look at it. He came by and looked at it, but told them i would have to resetup the router that Comcast doesn't allow them to touch them, that the individual is responsible for them.
Locally (Nashville) thats how Comcast/@homes terms have been, you can hook up more than one computer, but you are responsible for the upkeep and any problems that you have.They don't care because your still capped at a certain speed limit, so it's not like your using more bandwidth than your service would allow.
This is just personal experience, but it's still Comcast. I don't see how or why Comcast would do this. It would be a HUGE waste of money for them. Not just because of the resources they would have to use, but because of the sheer number of people who have mulitple computers connected to one line. Do you really believe Comcast would cut off service to half their customers!!! Nah...
Frankly I think that this is all nonsense. There's SO many people using NATs (and so many more will discover it) that they'd be shooting themselves in the foot if they hassled people about it.
Anyway Comcast has had no problem (so far) around here if they see or you or you even tell them up front about a router. It's just their policy that they can't touch it, connect it, or troubleshoot your system if you use one.
I'm going to ask about it though, since I do a lot of router installs for clients. Believe me, I'll recommend Sprint DSL 1st if there's a potential issue.
Actually for most business customers I always recommend DSL because you get a backup Earthlink dialup account with them, which you don't with cable, and frankly there's a better guarantee of uninterupted service with DSL.
Residential I recommend cable because it's cheaper to have installed (install is usually free if you already have cable TV).
I've got no choice myself, here I'm too far for DSL.
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“The Government of Spain will not applaud those who set the world on fire just because they show up with a bucket.” - Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez
