Dumb question but how may CPE's can a docsis 1.0 CM file allow? Is there even a limit? I am trying to come off of a cable modem (Building A) that has a static public ip and wirelessly send ethernet across a lake using two mikrotik 411 routerboards then go into a CMTS again (Building B). I do not desire to NAT behind the second CMTS so i am wanting to allow public IP's (CPE side) on my class c to tunnel through.
Here's an idea:
If your first CMTS and Building A aren't too far part, just Ethernet or fiber them and take the first cable modem out of the equation.
emkowale
Cant happen
Cant do that because it is about a mile down from the main headend CMTS.
Where there's a wire there's a way.
if at all possible fiber
if at all possible fiber would be the way to go, you can use inexpensive LH Gbics ($79 ea, 5 mile range, need 2)and cisco 3500 switches ($130 ea) and single mode fiber (common in Cable Networks ) to connect the two buildings. You could also use CWDM Gbics if you don't have a dedicated fiber you can use.
However if you cannot do that, do not use a cable modem as a bridge, it can act as such but your going to run into performance problems the more devices running behind it you get.
I think it would be better to throw a switch in each headend, if you do not have one already, and connect your microtik wireless devices straight to the switch and use them to form a wireless backhaul bridge.
short answer
32 CPEs behind a CM.
Larry