Cable Modem/Router Oppoinions

"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
09/12/2016 at 14:58 • Filed to: Tech Support

I’m thinking of switching back to Comcast internet. I’ve had both them in the past and AT&T currently. Comcast was definitely faster and more reliable. I’d like to not rent their stupid equipment this time, and buy my own. I know I need to get a DOCSIS 3.0 modem/router, but I know precisely jack-squat about them. Any advice Oppo?

Purple Ute for your time.

DISCUSSION (26)

citizennick > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:03

sorry, can’t help you. But I think oppo should post pictures of purple cars for the rest of the day.

shop-teacher > citizennick
09/12/2016 at 15:05

Didn’t we JUST do that? :P

Mercedes Streeter > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:07

If you can, get their XB3 modem. I have one and get 85-90 mbps consistently (and I’m only paying for 75 mbps) with two channels and enough bandwidth for my entire apartment complex.

DO NOT, and I mean DO NOT, let them give you any old off the shelf modem...Comcrap has some truly crappy equipment that they’ll be happy to offload onto you the first second they can.

Nibbles > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:09

I have an Arris/Motorola SurfBoard SB6141 I picked up on CL for a song. DOCSIS 3.0. No issues here.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:11

All happy internets resemble one another - each unhappy internet is unhappy in its own way.

-Leo TCP/IPstoy, Anna Karenetwork

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:13

I worked for Comcast’s advanced wireless support for a year. Here’s what you need to know. The leased equipment is garbage. Combination units you can buy are garbage. You want a separate modem and router. When it comes to modems the Motorola surfboard is good and reliable.

As for routers you get what you pay for now depending on your budget you have many options the best I’ve found is the net gear nighthawk. But if that is too much, you want dual bands and multiple external antennas. Internal antennas aren’t up to the job.

Now Comcast’s internet is only as good as the wire it comes in on. Ideally you want as few splitters between the street and house as possible.

Poor lines and crappy routers are the biggest cause of crappy Comcast Internet

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Mercedes Streeter
09/12/2016 at 15:20

The best XB3 just got EOL (end of life) due to a hardware issue it is the Cisco 3941t. The Arris 1682 has issues and don't get me started on the TC 1802s The Cisco 3939 is a great modem but very few are in inventory.

shop-teacher > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
09/12/2016 at 15:22

Good to know, thanks. Perhaps if I listen to you, I won’t need a second wireless router for my second floor?

When I had Comcast a couple years ago, they put a new drop down to my house and a new line to where I had my router at the time, so the lines to it are in good shape.

Mercedes Streeter > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
09/12/2016 at 15:24

I’ll check my model when I get home. I got my XB3 last month after the Technicolor I had decided to give up on providing a connection greater than 500 kbs and bandwidth not even good enough for 1 device...

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:25

The nighthawk will probably cover your entire house depending on placement and home construction. If you have plaster walls or radiant floor heat you will need a second router.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Mercedes Streeter
09/12/2016 at 15:29

Technicolor are junk, the Arris is fine until the firmware gets an update then they suck until the next update. The Ciscos are good but like I said all 3941ts will be replaced by April due to a hard will issue that will brick them next June

shop-teacher > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
09/12/2016 at 15:30

Dang, I do have plaster walls. Oh well, I have one router, and according to the list of Craig a used Motorola surfboard modem is a whopping $10. I guess I can afford another router too :)

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:33

Yeah plaster works like a faraday cage. Poor signal no matter what you do. Oh be careful buying a used modem if it has a delinquent balance tied to it cc may not activate it for you.

shop-teacher > My X-type is too a real Jaguar
09/12/2016 at 15:41

Ohhhhh, good call!

MUSASHI66 > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:45

I bought this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00…

and this for my router

http://www.costco.com/NETGEAR-Nighth…

Shankems > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 15:47

SB6141 at least and then pick up whatever router from this page.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-w…

DONE!

deekster_caddy > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 16:00

I bought my own cable modem, a Motorola Surfboard like X-type suggests. I have it in my basement, first thing after coming in the house so there are not many splitters. It worked great. I then installed my own wired network switch and a couple of wireless bases to cover my entire house. I recommend getting the best wireless base you can afford.

Then I got Verizon FIOS 50/50 for $39.99 a month and never looked back. Someday comcast will win my home back, but after all it’s just a dumb pipe. All I want is a connection, not all the hoo haa that goes with it.

shop-teacher > deekster_caddy
09/12/2016 at 16:11

A wireless base is another name for a wireless router? Or is that a different thing? I did a bit of network wiring when I remodeled my second floor (I made some mistakes but I learned a lot), but I’m afraid I really don’t know much of anything about the equipment.

I miss Verizon for cell phone service. I will go back to them someday in the not too distant future. They don’t have any wired services in my area. My two choices are Comcast and AT&T. The only reason I left Comcast a couple years ago, was they got too expensive. I’m sure that will happen again in a couple years.

deekster_caddy > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 16:19

Well, a ‘Router’ is sort of anything that sets up a separate network. It doesn’t have to be wireless. Most wireless base stations are also routers, but they can be run in ‘bridge mode’ where they just pass along the wired LAN to wireless, so don’t do any routing. So the term ends up being interchangeable in the consumer world even though they are technically two very different functions. You want at least one router after the cablemodem, but you don’t need more than one unless you are trying to create multiple networks with different tasks... usually overkill for the typical home network.

I ran ethernet cable to most rooms in my house. My living room has so many things I needed another 8-port GB switch behind the TV so I could connect my HTPC, multiple gaming consoles and video streaming devices to the LAN (I still don’t trust wireless for all this streaming stuff, especially if you are getting into high bandwidth video streaming). Then I ended up adding another wireless base station there since it’s really the hub of the whole house.

shop-teacher > deekster_caddy
09/12/2016 at 16:26

Ok, I think I understand. I certainly don’t need multiple networks. Right now I have two, because I have two wireless routers (one for each floor) and I don’t understand how to make them work together. I guess I’ve got some more reading to do. Do you know of any resources you could point me towards to learn this stuff? Thanks!

deekster_caddy > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 16:29

Ah ha! If you can plug the second router into the first with ethernet, you can put it into bridge mode and it will just use the same network settings as the first router, essentially extending the first network. If you give it the same network SSID and password, you may find that your wireless devices just naturally jump to the strongest signal when you move things around the house. I’ve been in IT for years, so I don’t know a specific resource that has it all in one place, but ask away!

edit - almost every router - even the ISP supplied ones - will let you go in and edit the wireless settings, change the network name and password etc.

shop-teacher > deekster_caddy
09/12/2016 at 16:31

Ok then!

How do I put router #2 into bridge mode? How do I give it the same network SSID and password?

deekster_caddy > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 16:36

Assuming these routers are from the ISP, you should be able to log into the management console. If you look at the network settings on your computer, your ‘gateway’ is the router. If you open a web browser and type in the gateway’s IP address, you should find a management page asking you to log in. If you can’t log in, look on the wireless base - often there is an SSID password and an admin password. If not, try looking up the model of the router on google like “motorola model xxx default password” and see if you find anything. Sometimes it’s even username ‘admin’ password ‘public’ or something totally lame.

Once you are logged in, all of the interfaces are totally different - but again google is your friend. “motorola model xxx change SSID” into google and make it match the #1 router. “motorola model xxx bridge mode” will also help you. (if you have a motorola router...)

deekster_caddy > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 16:38

See if the router has a tiny “reset” pin. Worst case scenario if you lock yourself completely out of the router making these changes, you should be able to power cycle the router holding down the reset pin to bring it all back to stock settings (and default passwords).

deekster_caddy > shop-teacher
09/12/2016 at 16:39

Also, I’m assuming you have some understanding of networking and what we are trying to do here. If not, say so and I’ll start from the beginning...

shop-teacher > deekster_caddy
09/12/2016 at 16:45

Neither of the routers are from the ISP. Honestly you lost me at logging onto management console. I know what an IP address is ... kind of ...