Network Services Enterprise (NSE) — Road Runner High Speed Data Information
(Road Runner name is a trademark of Warner Bros. copyright 2000)

Road Runner High Speed Data services available through the Network Services Enterprise, require the use of a cable modem. These cable modems are quite different from the telephone modems used for 56k dial-up data service.

Please note: If you do not find the information here that you need, consult the IT Help.

Getting Your Cable Modem:

The Miami University Bookstore stocks the correct model of cable modem you will need. The current models are Motorola SB5100, SB5101, SB5120, SB5200 or SBG900. The Toshiba Docsis PCX2200 or 2600 can also be used. If you want to use an older modem, such as a Motorola SurfBoard SB4100 or 3Com HomeConnect 3CR39223, make sure it had been successfully used with our NSE Road Runner service. If you purchase your cable modem elsewhere, be sure that model is one of those listed above.

Signing Up For Service:

You can sign up for Road Runner at 110 Gaskill Hall. Bring your cable modem with you so that we can verify the MAC address of the device. During that visit, you will schedule a time for a technician from Time Warner to activate your service.

Should you still have questions about signing up for service, eligibility requirements, and to schedule appointments for starting service, call the NSE.

Ready to sign up? Complete the on-line order form.

Pricing:

Effective with the June 2006 billing, the monthly charges for Road Runner service will be:

• $22.00/month for Modem Holder
• $32.00/month for Faculty/Staff

Please note: While no further rate increases are expected, rates are subject to change.

Installation Charges:

$25.00 one time charge for installation for all users

$25.00 one time charge for Address Transfer

$10.00 one time charge for Name Transfer

 

Support:

For technical support questions regarding initial service setup, service interruptions or other problems with existing service, call the Miami University IT Services Support Desk at (513) 529-7900.

For other technical problems, call Time Warner Cable at 1-888-567-2318.

Appointments:

You must make an appointment through NSE for a Time Warner Technician activate the jack. Someone MUST be there to meet the technician, you cannot just leave the door open.

Appointments are ONLY in 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hour blocks, and we have no way to know exactly when, in that time period, the technician will arrive.

If the technician misses the appointment, call us PROMPTLY to schedule a new appointment. We do not get a report from Time Warner about missed appointments, and this will help ensure the fastest service. A missed appointment does not disconnect your service.

Self Installation Kits: (Welcome Kit)

These kits can be picked up at the Network Services Enterprise office. We do not mail kits to clients. This is not required in order to set up the service. We also have a Road Runner Setup (PDF format) that you may find helpful.

Location:

Time Warner will provide wiring to connect the cable modem within 10 feet of the existing cable TV jack. Your ethernet or USB cable may provide some small additional distance.

Multiple Computers:

Each cable modem has the ability to support up to three network connections, but has only one physical port to attach a computer. There are three ways to use multiple computers with a cable modem:

HUB: You can purchase a simple ethernet hub, but this will require that your roommates also subscribe for additional IP addresses. This is the simplest way to connect multiple computers, and uses the cheapest electronics. Each computer having a separate IP address also helps in preventing the Modem holder from being incorrectly blamed for violating the Usage Policy. The disadvantage of this system is that each IP address costs $10 per month. There is a one-time fee of $25 for activation of each additional IP. Only 2 additional IP's are permitted per hub.

Router or NAT computer: This equipment allows up to 5 computers to 'share' the single IP address from the cable modem. It costs more to purchase this equipment, and is more complicated to set up, but does not have an extra monthly cost. Since all the computers attached to the cable modem appear to be the same computer to the outside world, a violation of the Usage Policy could result in termination of all services for all computers connected to that cable modem. Neither Time Warner nor MU support staff will help with the installation or troubleshooting of a router.

Time Warner of Ohio's license agreement only provides support for your cable modem and one computer. Use of routers or NAT functions to connect one IP address to multiple computers is allowed, but if there is a problem with these devices, Time Warner is not responsible for troubleshooting.

MAC Address:

Each cable modem has a Hardware MAC Address that identifies it to the network. This MAC address is necessary in order to sign up for service. The MAC Address, which is sometimes also called an Ethernet Address (EA) , or an HFC MAC ID, is located on a sticker on the back of the cable modem. There are several other numbers on the same sticker, so it can get confusing. The MAC Address is a twelve digit address that can contain numbers, as well as the letters A,B,C,D,E, and F. There are no other letters, so if you are unsure if it is a letter 'o' or a zero, it is a zero. You can ignore the other information on the label.

Note: If you are using the Motorola SB5100, please be sure to use the HFC MAC ID.

Plugging in your computer:

The recommended method for connecting a computer to the cable modem is with an ethernet connection. The ethernet connection on the Motorola SurfBoard is the topmost connection, and looks like an oversized phone jack. The connection on the 3Com Home Connect is below the power jack. On your PC, you should have a similar jack, with small green lights very close by. A pair of jacks with no lights nearby is a regular telephone modem, which does not connect to the cable modem. Use the cord that came with the cable modem for connecting your computer. It is wired to allow your PC to talk to the cable modem properly. If the cord does not fit in the jack you are using, it is probably the wrong place to plug it in. If you use a different cord, it may not connect at all.

Do not try to use a regular telephone cable to connect the cable modem to the PC or hub - it won't work. Don't try to hook up both the ethernet and USB connections to your PC, choose one or the other. They will not work at the same time.