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#11
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Is this BS
Hi!
Might this explain why sometimes my system is speedy and other times it is CRAWLING. (All 3 computers) No. There are a few possibilities. A bad or defective cable modem is one of them, but I'd expect it to be broken in far more infuriating ways than just an occasional slowness in connection. On a networking system such as the one in use with a cable TV network, you are typically sharing bandwidth with a few other people. One of them could be hogging the line, or the network could be "oversold" with too many people on it. And that's to say nothing of potential problems with anything in between the cable network and where it finally turns data over to the greater Internet. You could have a bad or weathered cable line coming to your equipment. How many (if any) TVs are sharing the cable connection with your modem? Is there a signal booster on the line, as there would be with multiple TVs? (If there is, it may distort the signal coming to and from the cable modem. You should therefore bypass any such amplifier so it's not in the circuit between cable modem and cable network, while leaving it in place for the TVs.) Cable modems can vary the amount of power they are outputting. The maximum output level for any that I have seen is 61.0 dB. Most will tell you how much power they are using if you go to that built in web page I talked about earlier. ( http://192.168.100.1/ ) Many cable modems also will show the signal quality that they are seeing on the line, using a measurement called "signal to noise ratio". If this is high, you may have a noisy or bad cable line. Equipment outside the cable modem must be considered as well. Do you have a router? Some routers simply fill up and slow down after being up for a while due to bugs in their firmware. Check for an updated firmware from the maker of your router, or consider just trying a different router. I especially like the Buffalo wireless routers and have never had a bad experience with them at all. I have used all of the WHR-G54S, WHR- G54-HP, and WHR-G125 with both the stock Buffalo firmware and DD-WRT aftermarket firmware. They have some "A" and "N" band wireless stuff, but I cannot say about its quality as I don't use or recommend those standards. So if you need a replacement... William |
#12
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Is this BS
"William R. Walsh" wrote in message ... snip Many cable modems also will show the signal quality that they are seeing on the line, using a measurement called "signal to noise ratio". If this is high, you may have a noisy or bad cable line. William, of course, meant: "If this is *LOW*, you may have a noisy or bad cable line." - David Harper |
#13
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Is this BS
William R. Walsh wrote:
Hi! Actually, I checked further and I didn't order it that long ago. I knew that I remembered the discussion from somewhere. Is that enough information to tell you that it is okay? The CM100 is a DOCSIS compliant modem, supporting versions 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0. I was not able to determine what they offer for certain, but Charter is offering some DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems. DOCSIS is said to be compatible in all directions. If you have a DOCSIS 1.1 compliant modem, you can use it on a DOCSIS 2.0 cable network. The reverse should also be true...a DOCSIS 3.0 modem would work on a 2.0 network. Features provided in a newer version of DOCSIS won't be available to equipment that supports the older version. As best I can tell, the only thing added to DOCSIS 3.0 is support for IPv6 protocol. DOCSIS 2.0 provided for enhanced communication speeds over the previous revisions. If this is true and DOCSIS 3.0 only brings support for IPv6, an older modem could theoretically have its operating software upgraded to a release supporting IPv6 as that is a software-only issue. (Cable companies can upgrade the firmware in your cable modem from afar. They do this in much the same way as they do when sending parameters to it.) I think that Charter may have incorrect information on the equipment you have--OR they are being somewhat dishonest and trying to rent/sell you something that you do not need. As DOCSIS is *the* standard for data exchange over cable TV networks, I doubt Charter would be doing something different. Therefore, I strongly doubt that you have to upgrade your cable modem. I would recommend keeping your current equipment and continuing to use it. William i looked up the specs too (wow did cisco ruin the linksys site!) and i totally agree. there is no motivation to upgrade from the perspective of compatibility. however, i did notice that the cm100 is a usb 1.1 type device and that presents a potential bottle neck that can be improved upon. this is only an issue if you happen to have the modem connected to your computer via the usb port. if it is connected via the ethernet port on the cm100 then the speed of the usb port is irrelevant. either way, you really should have a router between your computer and the cm100 for security reasons (and side benefit of being able to share the high speed cable internet with other computer wired or wirelessly). newer cable modems do offer faster throughput but it is likely that the additional throughput far exceeds the typically throttled (slowed/controlled max) speed that your cable company supplies. i think their letter is just marketing. keep in mind that men have been elected president based largely on fear... i am certain it helps in selling modems too. smart of you to question the motivation of their letter. though it may not technically be wrong, the newer higher performance equipment will do nothing for you. kind of like buying a 257mph ssc ultimate aero to drive on national highways with 55mph speed limits... |
#14
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Is this BS
Hi!
"If this is *LOW*, you may have a noisy or bad cable line." Oops. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I had it mixed up now that I've gone back and looked. I tend to do that at times, more often than I should. William |
#15
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Is this BS
Thanks for the info, Chris.
I do have a linksys router as well. Mel "Christopher Muto" wrote in message ... William R. Walsh wrote: Hi! Actually, I checked further and I didn't order it that long ago. I knew that I remembered the discussion from somewhere. Is that enough information to tell you that it is okay? The CM100 is a DOCSIS compliant modem, supporting versions 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0. I was not able to determine what they offer for certain, but Charter is offering some DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems. DOCSIS is said to be compatible in all directions. If you have a DOCSIS 1.1 compliant modem, you can use it on a DOCSIS 2.0 cable network. The reverse should also be true...a DOCSIS 3.0 modem would work on a 2.0 network. Features provided in a newer version of DOCSIS won't be available to equipment that supports the older version. As best I can tell, the only thing added to DOCSIS 3.0 is support for IPv6 protocol. DOCSIS 2.0 provided for enhanced communication speeds over the previous revisions. If this is true and DOCSIS 3.0 only brings support for IPv6, an older modem could theoretically have its operating software upgraded to a release supporting IPv6 as that is a software-only issue. (Cable companies can upgrade the firmware in your cable modem from afar. They do this in much the same way as they do when sending parameters to it.) I think that Charter may have incorrect information on the equipment you have--OR they are being somewhat dishonest and trying to rent/sell you something that you do not need. As DOCSIS is *the* standard for data exchange over cable TV networks, I doubt Charter would be doing something different. Therefore, I strongly doubt that you have to upgrade your cable modem. I would recommend keeping your current equipment and continuing to use it. William i looked up the specs too (wow did cisco ruin the linksys site!) and i totally agree. there is no motivation to upgrade from the perspective of compatibility. however, i did notice that the cm100 is a usb 1.1 type device and that presents a potential bottle neck that can be improved upon. this is only an issue if you happen to have the modem connected to your computer via the usb port. if it is connected via the ethernet port on the cm100 then the speed of the usb port is irrelevant. either way, you really should have a router between your computer and the cm100 for security reasons (and side benefit of being able to share the high speed cable internet with other computer wired or wirelessly). newer cable modems do offer faster throughput but it is likely that the additional throughput far exceeds the typically throttled (slowed/controlled max) speed that your cable company supplies. i think their letter is just marketing. keep in mind that men have been elected president based largely on fear... i am certain it helps in selling modems too. smart of you to question the motivation of their letter. though it may not technically be wrong, the newer higher performance equipment will do nothing for you. kind of like buying a 257mph ssc ultimate aero to drive on national highways with 55mph speed limits... |
#16
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Is this BS
On 4/7/2010 10:25 AM, MZB wrote:
I got the email below from Charter. About 15 months ago I got tired of paying their $5/month modem charge and bought a new (reconditioned) lynksys modem. It works great but I have noticed that things are a tad slower of late. But I don't know if this is accurate, or just a sales pitch. Is there some way to test this? Mel Things are getting faster all the time and we're here to keep you up to speed. Based on your account information, you have an older modem that is no longer optimizing your Charter Internet experience. It is important for you to take action and replace your modem. This ensures that you continue to receive the fastest and most reliable Internet speeds available?. To help make this process easy, you can lease a new modem for only $5/mo or purchase a replacement. Click the link below to get started. REPLACE YOUR MODEM NOW Thank you for choosing Charter. We look forward to many more years of delivering you the best Internet experience. Sincerely, The Charter Internet Team Well, good old bankrupt Chapter 11 Charter DID upgrade the speed of its service here in central MA, and it was done free of charge. Supposedly, you need a DOCSIS 3.0-compliant cable modem to actually get the high speed. But other people here in town continue to use older Motorola Surfboards like the SB4100, and they report faster speeds. Feeling flush with cash, I spent less than $100 for a Motorola SB6120 cable modem, putting my old SB4100 aside, and yes, it is faster. Here is what I suggest. Go to www.dslreports.com and run a few of the various speed tests there, and see what speed you are getting versus the alleged speed advertised by Charter. Then make a decision based on fact, not being pushed by Charter or swayed by the experience of someone else in possibly different circumstances... Ben Myers |
#17
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Is this BS
On 4/7/2010 12:44 PM, MZB wrote:
William: Actually, I checked further and I didn't order it that long ago. It's the linksys CM100, refurbished from Buy.com for $27.99. I got it in early November, so I've only had it for 5 months. Is that enough information to tell you that it is okay? I remember at the time checking with Charter and the DOCSIS for the modem was compatible with their setup. I suspect Charter is upgrading and maybe the DOCSIS is no longer compatible (ie: recommended)? Mel "William R. wrote in message ... Hi! But I don't know if this is accurate, or just a sales pitch. Is there some way to test this? You can use an online speed test against a server that is relatively close to you. Most cable modems have an informational web page that you can use to see what the current data rate is for both upstream and downstream communications. It is accessible at http://192.168.100.1/ for most models. You are looking for your "provisioned rate" and there will likely be two values--upstream (lower for uploads from you to the 'net) and downstream (higher from the 'net to you). Based on your account information, you have an older modem that is no longer optimizing your Charter Internet experience. Which may or may not be true. To know for sure, you need to know the specifications to which your modem complies. The standard (in the US) is known as DOCSIS and there are varying versions of it. Each one specifies different capabilities. What Linksys modem do you have? Model and version number are both important. Even if your modem is older, it's likely still doing a fine job. I've got a 12 megabit connection over my Linksys BEFCMU10 and it's rare that I can download anything that fast outside of speed tests and Microsoft's web sites. Cable modems receive their parameters at startup via trivial FTP. The cable company sends these parameters out and then (usually) reboots the modem to force it to update the parameters. Therefore, you may try rebooting your modem to force it to download the new parameters. William FYI, the Linksys CM100 complies with the DOCSIS 2.0 spec, not the newer 3.0... Ben Myers |
#18
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Is this BS
Hi!
FYI, the Linksys CM100 complies with the DOCSIS 2.0 spec, not the newer 3.0... Ben Myers From a cursory examination, it appears that the biggest thing about DOCSIS 3.0 is IPv6 support. This could always be added in software, but with the tendency to sell a new device instead of patching the old ones with new software, I don't know how it will play out. The DOCSIS standard itself appears to be one of the few (and beautiful!) standards where compatibility is available in all directions (less features that aren't provided with an older revision of the standard. William |
#19
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Is this BS
William R. Walsh wrote:
Hi! FYI, the Linksys CM100 complies with the DOCSIS 2.0 spec, not the newer 3.0... Ben Myers From a cursory examination, it appears that the biggest thing about DOCSIS 3.0 is IPv6 support. This could always be added in software, but with the tendency to sell a new device instead of patching the old ones with new software, I don't know how it will play out. The DOCSIS standard itself appears to be one of the few (and beautiful!) standards where compatibility is available in all directions (less features that aren't provided with an older revision of the standard. William FWIW: Comcast - my esteemed ahem ISP - only requires a DOCSIS 3.0 modem if you are using its ultra-high-speed service. Unless someone is desperate for ways to waste their money, a DOCSIS 2.0 modem is all they need. Daddy |
#20
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Is this BS
On 4/8/2010 1:42 PM, Daddy wrote:
William R. Walsh wrote: Hi! FYI, the Linksys CM100 complies with the DOCSIS 2.0 spec, not the newer 3.0... Ben Myers From a cursory examination, it appears that the biggest thing about DOCSIS 3.0 is IPv6 support. This could always be added in software, but with the tendency to sell a new device instead of patching the old ones with new software, I don't know how it will play out. The DOCSIS standard itself appears to be one of the few (and beautiful!) standards where compatibility is available in all directions (less features that aren't provided with an older revision of the standard. William FWIW: Comcast - my esteemed ahem ISP - only requires a DOCSIS 3.0 modem if you are using its ultra-high-speed service. Unless someone is desperate for ways to waste their money, a DOCSIS 2.0 modem is all they need. Daddy That's consistent with Charter's line. But, yeah, my DOCSIS 3.0 Motorola Surfboard SB6120 does make a difference in speed. I'm not making this up. And since I routinely download large ISO files to keep my Linux distro collection up to date, the speed is good... Ben Myers |
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