Best Cable Modem???
Cable modems and speed
I work in the industry and I would have to say that cable modems unlike dial up has more of a standard that they must follow. Everybody nowadays is switching there cable modem networks to DOCSIS technology, DOCSIS are used by Ericsson,toshiba,surfboard,motorola, just to name a few. Mainly these modems must follow the specs of the network they are running so mainly there very close as far as performance. Probably more important is the cable CO. network that your connecting to, basically their investment must be maintained and upgraded as neccesary which is probably more important than the cable modem your using since the modems you use can go much faster than your current speeds, DOCSIS just announced docsis 2.0 which can do 30mb up/30 mb down, now we just have to wait for a network that can support it, but remember most cable networks now can do 10mb max, do we use it all.....hell no.!
3com
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- Cable_Dood
- Regular Member
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2002 3:53 pm
- Location: In the Monolith
all those modems u listed all have the same specs. it dont matter im telling you...the network they run on cant handle it anyway so whats it matter...its like having 2 same size straws made by a fifferent straw maker and ur drinking a thick milkshake, still suck the same amount of milkshake dont ya....ya thought so... 
v.90 is a standard for dial-up modems and yet there is a world of difference between brands. Just because they work on the same standards does not mean they are equal. Thats like saying all water tastes the same because it's water.Originally posted by BooM4u!
all those modems u listed all have the same specs. it dont matter im telling you...the network they run on cant handle it anyway so whats it matter...its like having 2 same size straws made by a fifferent straw maker and ur drinking a thick milkshake, still suck the same amount of milkshake dont ya....ya thought so...![]()
It doesn't matter what they can handle as far as bandwidth, its how they handle it.
I haven't used the cisco. I had a 3com and now have a SB4100. I like the 4100. For one, it seems to run cooler than the 3Com did and it has a standby button for total shutdown. Probably never use it, but it is an option.
*** To Boom4U! ***
I'm surprised you would make such a suggestion given your claim about working in the industry.
There are some differences amongst DOCSIS compliant modems, whether it be on the firmware/software it implements, or on the chipset they are built with. For those people who are serviced by a cable operator that limits downstream and upstream limits way below the unit's capabilities, yes they will certainly see no difference. For those privileged handful like me who are serviced by a cable operator that delivers up to 10Mb down and 1Mb up, you will absolutely see a performance difference. Some modems make use of concatenation to deliver higher speeds, as well as the acclaimed turbo chipset found in the Terayet and Toshiba units. Whereas other lower end units simply comply to the DOCSIS standard for interoperability, totally disregarding performance on the basis of not needing it to begin with.
I'm surprised you would make such a suggestion given your claim about working in the industry.
There are some differences amongst DOCSIS compliant modems, whether it be on the firmware/software it implements, or on the chipset they are built with. For those people who are serviced by a cable operator that limits downstream and upstream limits way below the unit's capabilities, yes they will certainly see no difference. For those privileged handful like me who are serviced by a cable operator that delivers up to 10Mb down and 1Mb up, you will absolutely see a performance difference. Some modems make use of concatenation to deliver higher speeds, as well as the acclaimed turbo chipset found in the Terayet and Toshiba units. Whereas other lower end units simply comply to the DOCSIS standard for interoperability, totally disregarding performance on the basis of not needing it to begin with.
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- Cable_Dood
- Regular Member
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2002 3:53 pm
- Location: In the Monolith
>>I like the 4100. For one, it seems to run cooler than the 3Com did and it has a standby button for total shutdown.<<
That button is a placebo. I can still ping your modem IP even though that button turns off all the LEDs. The only way to disconnect from the network is to yank the RF or power cord. The button just turns off the lights. Pretty comical, really. The SB4100 is an excellent consumer-level CM, though.
That button is a placebo. I can still ping your modem IP even though that button turns off all the LEDs. The only way to disconnect from the network is to yank the RF or power cord. The button just turns off the lights. Pretty comical, really. The SB4100 is an excellent consumer-level CM, though.
swap modems
swap modems, ull get the same bandwidth or very close. ive done it and ran pings,tracerts etc. i ve swapped ericsson for toshiba, for a 3com, for a motorola, all very very very close as far as perfomance little or no difference in my experiences and of course there diffrerent inside , theyre all made by diff co's obviously. bottom line, line conditions bus cable levels and snr(signal to noise ratio) basically are your friend or enemy. and as far as bandwidth all the modems u list have much faster capability then current speed so thats not relevent
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Kip Patterson
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Wed Jun 07, 2000 12:00 pm
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
There are real and significant differences between various modems, some of which are listed below.
DOCSIS vs non-DOCSIS: One person suggested a Motorola Cybersurfr. An excellent modem, the only one I've ever had. There are probably more of this modem in service than any other. It is non-DOCSIS, however, and will not work on a DOCSIS system.
Approved by ISP: Your ISP always downloads a configuration file to your modem. He may also download software updates. If you buy a modem not on their list, it is apt to become the excuse for every problem you have with your ISP. You will also not be able to get software updates installed.
Terms of sale: Certain modems such as the Motorola SB4200 are sold without manufacturer's warranty or support. Make sure you know what warranty and support is offered and who will honor it
Performance: Not all DOCSIS modems are equal. Some of the Toshibas, for example, have a design which malfunctions when used on a system that uses a particular diagnostic device. Some have internal web pages, some don't. Some can be upgraded from DOCSIS to 1.0 to 1.1, some can't or at least are not certified for 1.1. None can be updated to DOCSIS 2.0, although it seems almost certain that when 2.0 is installed it will support 1.0 and 1.1 modems.
Kip
DOCSIS vs non-DOCSIS: One person suggested a Motorola Cybersurfr. An excellent modem, the only one I've ever had. There are probably more of this modem in service than any other. It is non-DOCSIS, however, and will not work on a DOCSIS system.
Approved by ISP: Your ISP always downloads a configuration file to your modem. He may also download software updates. If you buy a modem not on their list, it is apt to become the excuse for every problem you have with your ISP. You will also not be able to get software updates installed.
Terms of sale: Certain modems such as the Motorola SB4200 are sold without manufacturer's warranty or support. Make sure you know what warranty and support is offered and who will honor it
Performance: Not all DOCSIS modems are equal. Some of the Toshibas, for example, have a design which malfunctions when used on a system that uses a particular diagnostic device. Some have internal web pages, some don't. Some can be upgraded from DOCSIS to 1.0 to 1.1, some can't or at least are not certified for 1.1. None can be updated to DOCSIS 2.0, although it seems almost certain that when 2.0 is installed it will support 1.0 and 1.1 modems.
Kip
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Lex Luthor
- Advanced Member
- Posts: 591
- Joined: Sat Apr 01, 2000 12:00 am
- Location: Long Island, NY
another "best cable modem" is one you get for free
My~Rig
|Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Toledo 2.0GHz @ 2.5Ghz||ASROCK 939Dual-SATA2||OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200|ZALMAN 120MM CNPS7700-CU|
|ATI XT 1600 PRO|CSB SB0570 Audigy SE 7.1||WD SE16 SATA 320GB HD|Hitachi SATA 160GB HD|Thermaltake TR2 W0070 ATX 430W Power Supply |WIN 7 Ultimate| (College Budget)
