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It dawned on me today... Why the hell am I renting my Cable Modem?
So my question is which Cable Modem is the best one out there?
I noticed that 3COM has one for like $40... anyone have any experience with this one? I have never seen a Bad 3COM product but the price makes me wary.
I have a motorola surfboard, and it works great. Also, if you want, go with the 3com, they make great stuff.
I have a Toshiba PCX 2200 and it works fine for me. Never have a problem with it. Hasnt been rebooted in 6 months or more
I have a question about getting a cable modem. Right now I am using the modem provided by my ISP, but I would like to get my own as well. Once I get my modem, it is easy to get it running with out ISP help? Also, if the ISP sets limits on up/down speeds, are they still intacted? I asume they would be.
Thanks for your help!
cable companies use a bootp file to send a configuration to the modem when it goes through the startup sequence. The company needs to be notified of the serial number and mac address of the modem for them to provide the correct contract. I personaly recommend renting the modem, it's a bit of a premium, however your are not responsible if the hard ware goes deffective, if a particular model has issues in an area, you can get the cable company to switch it out for something else, finaly, the tech people for the ISP get to know there modems much better then other brands and tend to provid better support for them.Quote:
Originally posted by Missing.Digit
I have a question about getting a cable modem. Right now I am using the modem provided by my ISP, but I would like to get my own as well. Once I get my modem, it is easy to get it running with out ISP help? Also, if the ISP sets limits on up/down speeds, are they still intacted? I asume they would be.
Thanks for your help!
If your looking at buying a modem, from my experience, they all seem to be pretty good, i'd just stay away from Terayon's TJ615 model series (if your not set to half duplex on the ethernet port, the modem will reset.. and USB under 98 is forced to full duplex.....)
My cable company provided me with a Webstar by Scientific Atlanta over a year ago. I can't seem to locate the specific model number, but its worked like a champ with no problems whatsoever. This thread is leading me to a similar topic for which I will start a new one.
Don't agree... Unless you can rent it for free (as Optimum Online does). A new cable modem is about $100, renting is otherwise around $10/month... you do the math.Quote:
Originally posted by Matridom
... I personaly recommend renting the modem, it's a bit of a premium, however your are not responsible if the hard ware goes deffective, if a particular model has issues in an area, you can get the cable company to switch it out for something else, finaly, the tech people for the ISP get to know there modems much better then other brands and tend to provid better support for them.
I've had a 3Com for more than 3 years, I get up to 900 kbytes/sec download (yes, kbytes not kbits), works really fine... Have also seen Motorola Surfboard at work, not a bad piece either and it has USB if you want (but why????)
i rent mine from the isp. i agree that it gives you less of an issue if that piece of hardware fails. i have never had an issue with the 3com "whalefin" modem that i got with my service. i use a linksys hardware filrewall, that seemed to make things faster versus a NIC directly to it, but i could be "smokin" something...good luck. i have heard good things about the motorola unit, i would purchase that if i had my choice.
linksysis is very compatible with most cable copanies and is a very fine modem ......none of those nasty url configuration 192.......blah......blah....blah ....have it linked with three 'puters with a linksys router and it is flawless
asus a7n8x
amd xp2000x
256 meg 333ddr
radeon video with 64 meg ddr
100 gig seagate vtr harddrive
mag innovision monitor using onboard sound
3com 10/100 nic
I have new Toshiba PCX2500 cable modem installed - works great so far... I have installed a router based on Coyote Linux and it works fine with this modem...
It would be interesting to see a comparison somewhere.
I mean, what _are_ the benefits to an end user whether you use one cable-modem or another? Is one faster? Does one allow telnet config as well as http and snmp?
m
that has NOTHING to do with the modem, and everything to do with your provider.Quote:
Originally posted by CeeBee
....., I get up to 900 kbytes/sec download (yes, kbytes not kbits), works really fine... Have also seen Motorola Surfboard at work, not a bad piece either and it has USB if you want (but why????)
DOCSIS modems get a configuration file from teh ISP's server in order to set proper upload/download limits on the modem. The modem uses a tftp protocol to fetch the file and the file is commonly called an md5 file.
Do not confuse speed with modem type.
I've been on DSL for over a year now, and my modem has been replaced twice now already. first time, my modem had died, second time, they found an issue with distance, so replaced the make/model with one better suited to my area. if i had purchased my modem, i'd be screwed right now.
Also, without purchasing the modem, I'm not restricted to one type of service. If i move, and DSL is not available, i don't have to spend more money on a new modem, and yes, that's happened to me also, i switched from Cable to DSL.. and I DO work for the Cable ISP, so i tend to have a more indepth view of how cable modem technology works.
hehehe, and we just introduced that modem on our networks a few months ago..... :D :D :DQuote:
Originally posted by Ruslan
I have new Toshiba PCX2500 cable modem installed - works great so far... I have installed a router based on Coyote Linux and it works fine with this modem...
although in most cases a cable modem is a cable modem there are a few exceptions
the most important of which is terayon modems, quite simply they are crap, they have bad design both on the coax and the ethernet, i've seen these things reset simply from to much traffic, and i don't mean reset once, i mean again and again and again.
surfboards i've yet to see a problem with and you can... umm... 'mod' them.
If that's the tera pro, i hate to say it, i prefer those suckers over ANY docsis modem.. the tera pro is one of the best out there.. now if your talking about the tj615, then your probably running it in full duplex mode. now, there is a firmware update that will fix the reboot issue.Quote:
Originally posted by Joker1
although in most cases a cable modem is a cable modem there are a few exceptions
the most important of which is terayon modems, quite simply they are crap, they have bad design both on the coax and the ethernet, i've seen these things reset simply from to much traffic, and i don't mean reset once, i mean again and again and again.
Man you don't know a good modem when you see one.
Most of our cable network is tera pro.. love ehm, love ehm love ehm. BUT they are propriatary so will not work anywhere else
BTW, "mod"ing your modem is about the fastest way you can get banned by your ISP, we've caught a few on the cable network, they no longer have cable service. Did i mention this is also called hacking, and a major violation of your agreement with your service provider?
Then explain this: When I decided to purchase that modem (I had been renting it for a while and I realised that it's cheaper to own it) I also borrowed 2 other models from friends. I have tested them in the same location, on the same computer (we all have the same ISP though). The Terayon yielded 400-500 kbytes/sec, Motorola 600-650, 3Com 850-900. Of course I repeated the tests few times to get a good average and to see if the results are repeatable.Quote:
Originally posted by Matridom
....., I get up to 900 kbytes/sec download (yes, kbytes not kbits), works really fine... Have also seen Motorola Surfboard at work, not a bad piece either and it has USB if you want (but why????)
that has NOTHING to do with the modem, and everything to do with your provider.
Bottom line: speed DOES have to do with the modem. And since you work for the cable co. you should be aware of factors like reflection, impedance matching, s/n ratio, sensitivity... they can all lead to poor performance and a flawed RF circuit design will only help :D
Ivalid bit ratio's, static, noise, md5 files, caps, limists, smt servers, phub servers etc. yes i AM familiar with that, also the fact that i'm majoring in networking means i'm familiar with talkbalk, cross talk, magnetic interferance etc.. etc.. etc.., and from what your explaining to me, your ISP has a very poor service, a properly configured network won't allow rogue modems to connect, your's does. i would not expect it to last.Quote:
Originally posted by CeeBee Bottom line: speed DOES have to do with the modem. And since you work for the cable co. you should be aware of factors like reflection, impedance matching, s/n ratio, sensitivity... they can all lead to poor performance and a flawed RF circuit design will only help :D
DOCSIS modems are authenticated based on the CPE mac address that is referenced to a md5 file on the tftp server, if you change the modem, the new one should not even get sync. your provider obviously does not do this, don't expect it to last.
BTW, if you think it's an IVR issue, enter the modem diagnostics and read the levels for yourself.... I'm sure you'll know what it all means.
To Matridom
lol ur so funny :) Modem's physical location has nothing to do with authentication as long as it's talking to the same server. Of course a modem that is not registered will not connect, but those were modems registered with my ISP (read the post again). And my "poor" service provider that will not last happenes to have the best service in the US (this is what statistics say, not me).Quote:
Originally posted by Matridom
... your ISP has a very poor service, a properly configured network won't allow rogue modems to connect, your's does. i would not expect it to last. DOCSIS modems are authenticated based on the CPE mac address that is referenced to a md5 file on the tftp server, if you change the modem, the new one should not even get sync. your provider obviously does not do this, don't expect it to last.
Obviously you're stubborn enough to refuse to admit other oppinions and facts (I am too sometimes :)), but think of the different 100BT NICs and switches that yield different transfer rates (and they are all running at 100Mbps, without any losses, etc, etc).
I agree, if you have a bad provider and you're unsure about how long you're going to stick with it it's better to rent UNTIL you decide. Otherwise go and get your own, it will pay itself in less than 1 year (and IF it breaks THEN you can have it fixed under warranty). Or... subscribe to my ISP so you can "rent" it for free and get good service :D :D :D
I just bought my own Linksys modem. Love it. Matches up nice with my Linksys router. I did do alot of online speedtests, paticularly my upload speed, and noticed when I got my linksys modem, I jumped up like 30kb in my upload. Could just be chance, but thats the only thing I changed. Also, for those who are decided to buy or rent and do not yet have cable modem service. Go sign up at Best Buy. They give you the modem for near free after rebates when you sign up for broadband with them.
I don't believe i ever disagreed with that. authentication takes place usualy on the phub's of the area.. Please, don't put words in my mouth.Quote:
Originally posted by CeeBee
lol ur so funny :) Modem's physical location has nothing to do with authentication as long as it's talking to the same server.
I did, reread that, our authentication servers are very limited and moving a modem down a street will cause it to move to a different authentication server.Quote:
Of course a modem that is not registered will not connect, but those were modems registered with my ISP (read the post again).
the majority of cable modems don't ever go over 10, so nic would not play a difference, i've seen this first hand.Quote:
And my "poor" service provider that will not last happenes to have the best service in the US (this is what statistics say, not me).
Obviously you're stubborn enough to refuse to admit other oppinions and facts (I am too sometimes :)), but think of the different 100BT NICs and switches that yield different transfer rates (and they are all running at 100Mbps, without any losses, etc, etc).
but i do conceid to the point where modems may vary, but i CANNOT accept a 100% increase in performance that your claiming.
The poor performance is in reference to service providers that use the SAME mdf5 file for all modems or providers that do not require authentication of the CPE mac of the modem. I believe i have clarified this point.
Uhm, my service i'm happy with, i won't touch cable modems in my area due to congestions issues that took too long to fix, besides, the DSL provider is putting a slam station across the street, wich will allow me to have speeds that exceed anything the cable company can provide.Quote:
I agree, if you have a bad provider and you're unsure about how long you're going to stick with it it's better to rent UNTIL you decide. Otherwise go and get your own, it will pay itself in less than 1 year (and IF it breaks THEN you can have it fixed under warranty). Or... subscribe to my ISP so you can "rent" it for free and get good service :D :D :D
now, I don't want to perpetuate this any more, so let's agree to disagree.
BTW, do to binding contracts, there is a LOT of info i cannot include in this to backup my points.