Re: on the verge of shopping for new desktop hardware, recommendations?

[David Wright <deblis@lionunicorn.co.uk>]

On Sun 07 Mar 2021 at 21:37:37 (-0500), Felix Miata wrote:
> David Wright composed on 2021-03-07 20:01 (UTC-0600):
> > On Sun 07 Mar 2021 at 20:39:12 (-0500), Felix Miata wrote:
> 
> >> At retail level, modem-routers seem to be rather uncommon. OTOH, owning your own
> >> modem and router can produce an ISP savings that will pay for a modem and/or
> >> router in as little as 6-12 months by buying quality "refurbs". I have multiples
> >> of both, so that an ISP has little opportunity to fault my hardware when I have a
> >> service complaint.
> 
> > I've never has two working modems (cable) on site at the same time.
> > How do ISPs react to having two different MAC-addressed devices
> > connecting from the same customer? (My Internet connection doesn't
> > require a login.)
> 
> Having != connected. The extras are spares. :)

I realise that, but if your service were to become unsatisfactory,
then before you complained, you'd want to check that it's not your
modem at fault. Would you expect your spare modem to work, because it
has a different MAC from what's expected by the ISP's end of the line.

(Similarly, if your modem were to burn out, which is what happened
to mine after seven years.)

Cheers,
David.