[SpamCop-List] Re: Comcast considers "clever" anti-spam idea

[Mike Easter]

Rolf" <user\ wrote:
> Mike Easter wrote:
>> I admit that the only 'messing around' I've done with the docs for a
>> cable modem are the ones I found I think at Motorola's site for my
>> previous modem and my current one;  but it didn't sound too very
>> configurable.
>
> Not sure if you can configure the user side of a cable modem in the
> same way than the network side.

I wasn't thinking about it that way - user messing with user side.  My
modem has an html function which allows me to 'look at' its condition;
its status, logs, signal values, addresses, configuration [extremely
simple - see below] and a help section.

The 'configuration' is simply 'North American Standard HRC/IRC' Upstream
channel 1, & favorite frequency.  But, the other sections have lots more
information than that.

However, the logs show a lot of 'outside' configuration processes and
enabling and recovering and locking and all that;  and the provider
prefers that the modem be left on and accessible from the cable side
because they want to be free to 'mess with' the modem, including
software [and firmware?] upgrades at any time.  About the only user type
thing I can see being able to do is 'restore defaults' which of course
goes back to the factory default condition before any of the described
upgrades.

> My little wireless gateway with DSL
> port has however some configuration lists to block ports in IP
> specific ways. It's not as powerful as iptables or those and I doubt
> the device would be happy with a long list of rules, but it could be
> done.

I could do a lot on my side with the dedicated switch/router NAT
translator which sits between me and the modem, but that's another
topic.

> Another interesting option. Our ADSL providers seem mostly to assign
> fixed IP addresses, but cable apparantly uses dynamic here too.

Yes.  I call the cable modem IPs 'dynamically static' - because they are
dynamic, but they 'stick' for many many months or indefinitely.

-- 
Mike Easter
kibitzer, not SC admin