OK guys, before we start, I know the rules on not asking hacking questions, well this sort of is, and sort of isn't. I don't want to be banned from the forum, so if my question is disagreeable, please just politely say so and ignore it.

I get my broadband connection through cable. They've given me a dodgy USB modem and I have to have a windows machine on the end of it to route through, which I'd rather not. Looking at their web site, the only other 'solution' they offer is through a wireless router, connected to the back of the TV set-top box. Sounds odd to me, but... I don't want to pay for a wireless router I don't want, and I already have an ethernet router lying around that I should be able to use. I have connected my laptop via Xover cable to the box, and get a 10Mb connection, but can't think even how to ask the box it's MAC or IP address (I don't have a proper 'network' connection until at least my laptop is on the same subnet, which of course I don't have a clue what it is). Needless to say, there's no DCHP on the box to connect with.
Where should I start?