With Linksys BEFSR41, cable modem always 'Active'?

[Dayvid]

I'm running a Linksys BEFSR41 Cable/DSL Router, and the Internet works fine on two computers with it. I am wondering about one thing though, and that is the fact that before I installed the router, and just hooked up the computer directly to the cable modem (a SURFboard SB3100), the Activity light on the cable modem would only stay on for a split second when my computer was actually transferring data.

Now however, after plugging it into the router, the cable modem's Activity light is on constantly (blinks off occasionally, less than it blinked on w/o the router). This happens whether any of the computers are accessing the internet or not.

Is this normal, and if not, how do I fix it?

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~David
dayvid@thenetweb.com
Comcast@home subscriber

[swsmith]

Mine absolutely does not behave this way. I have a linksys and SB31000 and the SB activity light only comes on when I am doind something...

Sean

[Dayvid]

Hmmm...wonderful, it gets complicated :-) So far I can't think of why it would be acting this way...if anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear 'em!

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~David
dayvid@thenetweb.com
Comcast@home subscriber

[onecuriousgeorge]

My cable modem always responded that way when I left my computer on. It now responds that way when I leave the linksys on (which is always.) I figure it is normal so I haven't been worrying about it however, I very well may be mistaken.

[Dayvid]

Okay thanks...I just wanted to be sure that I'm not sending out a continuous stream of packets over the 'net for no reason, which would probably slow down actual browsing quite a bit as well as making Comcast think I'm running a server or something. Anyway, I'm not too worried about it, but if anyone can see something wrong let me know please!

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~David
dayvid@thenetweb.com
Comcast@home subscriber

[Gryphin]

I also have a SB3100 and the Linksys router and the activity light only blinks when I'm downloading, browsing or playing games. So, I would say that it is not normal. Try using something like DU Meter to see if any packets are being sent...

[Dayvid]

I ended up unplugging the modem from the router (didn't bother turning anything off :-) and then I unplugged the modem's power...after plugging it back in, it re-established the connection and the light now stays off unless I'm downloading, like it should.

Thanks for the suggestions! And thanks for the pointer to DU Meter, I think I'll check it out anyway!

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~David
dayvid@thenetweb.com
Comcast@home subscriber

[Smitz33]

I have a COM21 modem on @Home and my transmit light is always blinking. This is normal with my modem. It may differ with each modem. The recieve light only comes on when downloading, gaming, browsing......

[sgriffin]

This is more a question than anything else, but don't cable modems share bandwidth with all the other users on their segment? So are you seeing the activity from other people sharing your cable modem segment? For instance, all ethernet cards connected to the same hub flash to show traffic directed to other users.

[onecuriousgeorge]

I am on a COM21 as well. I used to have McAfee Office Pro installed with Watchdog preventing programs from accessing the net without my authorization (I DO NOT RECOMMEND the McAfee products, the only one I have liked is the virus scan and I will still go with Norton in the future just based on the headaches I have had with McAfee tech support!)
Enough ranting. Since the light flashed all the time without warning from Watchdog, I figured there was minimal danger. Is there a good utility to monitor what programs are accessing the net?

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"Pretending control with dignified authority...we are charlatans."

[LordAthens]

i'm running a SB3100 and my activity light is always blinking, slowly, but it blinks. I'm not using a router of any sort (other than ICS, which, is a software router). I'd consider it noraml.

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-LordAthens