Our top pick for the most affordable and reliable Optimum modem is the Motorola.
If you tell your router to clone your network card's MAC Address, it makes your cable provider think that you're still using the same computer/network card to access their services, and therefore they allow your router on the network.įor more information, see How can I troubleshoot my cable modem?. Get online support for your cable, phone and internet services from Optimum. This is why most cable routers have a 'MAC Address Clone' (Use Computer MAC address) feature. If you've changed your network card or installed a router, they will deny you access to the Internet. First it will authenticate the Cable Modem, and then when your computer attempts to get online, they'll check and make sure that you're still using the same computer/network card/etc that you've always used. Some cable companies, for some reason, also authenticate the network card in your computer.
HFC (Cable Modem) and NIC (Network Card) MAC authentication: When your modem boots up, it attempts to talk to your cable provider, and the provider will either grant or deny it access based on it's MAC. Every DOCSIS cable modem has a unique one. NETGEAR Cable Modem CM400 Compatible with Cable Providers Xfinity by Comcast, Spectrum, Cox For Cable Plans Up to 100 Mbps DOCSIS3.0, Black (CM400-100NAS) 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,516 35. Most cable companies authorize your cable modem based on it's MAC address.