Can 2 computers have the same MAC address?

[manoz]

Hey all, I got my new rig up and running but having trouble connecting to the internet. I live in flats and my connection is a RJ45 cable that comes out the wall and goes into my ethernet adaptor in my laptop.

I connected to the rig and it won't do it. I can have 3 devices but one has to be a games machine, the other a phone. I've seen a method on the net to change my MAC address and I was thinking I could give my rig the same MAC address as my laptop. Will this work? Don't wana risk it without making sure Cheers.

 

[Talbs13]

Im pretty sure you cant have the same MAC Address. A MAC address is uniquely identified by the manufactuer. Although there is "locally administered address" which can be changed.

 

[Mr-White]

you can change your MAC address but i wouldn't, probably cause more problems than it's worse because they'll conflict

MW

 

[csmager]

If you're only allowed limited devices, you could get a router doing NAT (just a normal cable router would do). That'd let you use as many as you like.

 

[ns400r]

Are you going to use the PC and the laptop at the same time ?

If not then yes, you can clone the laptop MAC address onto the PC and use it no problem.

 

[manoz]

Yeah I want to use them at the same time. I spoke to the helpline and they said the best thing to do is buy a cable router with its own MAC address and give them that then they will assign that over to my name and then I can connect the devices to it.

I'll go by csmager's advice and find a NAT router.

I don't want to spend much and it only needs 2 sockets on it, is there any with 2 sockets?

Found this one heree which has fourhttp://www.sitecom.com/product.php?...roductcode=DC-202&productid=152&subgroupid=42

Will that do?

 

[-Colli$ion-]

I m pretty sure the MAC address is controlled by firmware, as there is software and certain tools out there that can change you MAC address, so it cant be hardware programmed!

You can have 2 identical Mac addresses on the same network, although you shouldnt as they are designed to be unique and also it depends on what equipment your using, some of the old stuff doesn’t care but the new stuff wont allow 2 computers (devices) on the same network with the same MAC code.

Although Note: In theory 2 Mac addresses on the same network, should NOT work.

Also sometimes the first device on the network will get disconnected if another device joins the network with the same MAC Code.

 

[manoz]

I decided to not risk that and get the router which I linked to above, I connected it all up and gave my provider the MAC address of the router. The internet works fine on both systems but steams has stopped working on my laptop and it won't install on my desktop on top of that the download speeds are real slow and I can't stream video. I'll have to contact the routers support place or look into settings I think