I am trying to use the Mikrotik router to manage a cable modem service through a CMTS. I want it to manage accounts by MAC address so users don’t have to log in every time but the CMTS is between the hotspot and the end user. Is there any way to ignore the CMTS IP & MAC so that I can see that of the cable modem/end user? Has anyone else used a CMTS in a bridge mode? If so how does it work and does it solve the problem.
Thanks
It depends on your CMTS manufacturer and model.
For example, Cisco uBR7100 series routers (CMTS) can be used in three modes:
-Routing mode
-Transparent bridging mode
-Integrated routing and bridging mode (IOS 12.1(7)EC or later, if I remember right)
You need to configure your CMTS to work in Transparent bridging mode, then it will pass HFC or CPE MAC addresses of your cable modems.
(Cable modems have multiple MAC addresses, one for the HFC side (Hybrid Fibre-Coax / cable TV coax socket), and one for the CPE side (Customer Premises Equipment, the ethernet socket).)