| BklynMDX |
| Cable modems vary in price from $50 to well over $200. Does this difference equate to better performance? |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by BklynMDX
Cable modems vary in price from $50 to well over $200. Does this difference equate to better performance?
I'm no expert, but having played around with networking for a while, I am sure the differences between modems that meet the current standards, are much more narrow than the price range.
I am running a DSL modem (Westell) brand that cost me $100 used and is much more reliable that the $250 (new) Alcatel modem typically used by the phone company. Any differences in performance or negligible or imagined. |
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| zafer |
Cheep ones could be old ones, i.e DOCSIS 1.X protocol. It could also be how you get to manage them, some you configure via their internal web config pages, some require a direct usb connection; which reminds me that some also offer a usb network out along with enet.
If you're looking to get your own, ask your cable provider what protocol is required. Its most likely going to be DOCSIS 2.X. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by zafer
Cheep ones could be old ones, i.e DOCSIS 1.X protocol. It could also be how you get to manage them, some you configure via their internal web config pages, some require a direct usb connection; which reminds me that some also offer a usb network out along with enet.
If you're looking to get your own, ask your cable provider what protocol is required. Its most likely going to be DOCSIS 2.X.
Thanks for clarifying the protocol. And yes, while it should make little difference in theory, the telcos typically foist USB modems (DSL) on subscribers for what they perceive to be easier to install. |
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| Dale MDX |
| My cable modem (Toshiba PCX 2200) is capable of either USB or network card connection (my computer does have a network card). The cable company used the USB (USB 2.0) connection. Is there a speed advantage to switching to the network card connection? Any idea what is involved in switching over, besides plugging it in? |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Dale MDX
My cable modem (Toshiba PCX 2200) is capable of either USB or network card connection (my computer does have a network card). The cable company used the USB (USB 2.0) connection. Is there a speed advantage to switching to the network card connection? Any idea what is involved in switching over, besides plugging it in?
I've done some searches, and see some reviews claim slower performance on USB. I just see USB as an easy out, and tapping PC resources even if for all practcial purposes differences should be negligible.
But these reviews are mostly older, pre-USB 2.0. You can try both, many cable modems today have dual capability. I doubt if it is something most users will be able to perceive.
You can go to broadbandreports.com and run a series of download speed tests then switch and run another series. Lots of variability in such tests, and it is only one measure of efficiency. Barring any notable differences in speed tests, I would not worry about it. Then it gets down to having enough available USB ports available for other goodies, but you can always add inexpensive hubs. |
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| hockeyplayer |
| Dalemdx...You have a USB 2.0 connection and no Ethernet connection?? Is it a laptop?? If not I would pick up a network card and free up your USB 2.0 slot. Network cards are very cheap. Just my opinion. |
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| Dale MDX |
hockeyplayer - I do have a network card installed (never used).
DaleB - Thanks, I may experiment at some point, but it doesn't look like a prioirty. I've only had cable internet service for about 7 months, so I'm still impressed with the speed compared to my previous 56K connection. Even if I could pick up a few more % in increased speed, I doubt I'd ever really notice. |
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| ayanomich |
| I bought a Motorola Surfboard SB5100 cable modem a couple months ago to replace the one I bought from my cable company about 3 years ago. Cost me $59.00 at Circuit City after a $20 mail=in rebate which I received within 4 weeks. I pay for 1.5 mbps download and that's what I get...the modem is super! |
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| BklynMDX |
quote:
Originally posted by ayanomich
I bought a Motorola Surfboard SB5100 cable modem a couple months ago to replace the one I bought from my cable company about 3 years ago. Cost me $59.00 at Circuit City after a $20 mail=in rebate which I received within 4 weeks. I pay for 1.5 mbps download and that's what I get...the modem is super!
Thanks guys for the replies. I wanted to get my mother a cable modem, she's still using dial-up. The cable company gives you a modem to use for life and the only problem is that if my mother decideds that she does not want to keep it there is a $65 cancellation fee and I didn't want her to pay that, although I doubt she or anyone could turn back to regular dial-up.
Hi ayanomich. 1.5 mbps download is great! Do you pay for the extra bandwidth or does this speed occur due to the Moto modem? |
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| renov8r |
they USED to give you a pretty heathly discount to own your own modem --now you are lucky to get ANYTHING off!
The used to allow max speed download & even uploads. Now they cap out everything and/or sell "tiered service" with NO GUARANTEE that if you pay more you actually get ANYTHING MORE.
The DOCIS standard implements the caps in the users modem, and there are ways around it but that will almost certainly result in your immeadiate CANCELATION & BANNISH FOR LIFE -- my what a customer friendly policy they've developed...
WORST part is that they keep raising rates even as their costs are going DOWN -- their is massive over capacity of network providers...
Go with DSL if possible, much more competitive!
BTW I have been playing around with a few cable modems that are hooked up via USB vs those hooked up via ethernet. Although the USB does not represent a bottleneck to the cable modem (the cable maxs at 1.5 Mbs well below the limit of USB) I do think that MOST USB controllers do seem to rely more heavily /send more 'housekeeping' ' work to the CPU so that the system seems a tiny bit snappier on ethernet than hooked via USB -- ymmv...
quote:
Originally posted by BklynMDX
Thanks guys for the replies. I wanted to get my mother a cable modem, she's still using dial-up. The cable company gives you a modem to use for life and the only problem is that if my mother decideds that she does not want to keep it there is a $65 cancellation fee and I didn't want her to pay that, although I doubt she or anyone could turn back to regular dial-up.
Hi ayanomich. 1.5 mbps download is great! Do you pay for the extra bandwidth or does this speed occur due to the Moto modem?
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by renov8r
Go with DSL if possible, much more competitive!
Probably one of the main reasons I went with DSL was to avoid cable, in the same fashion I went with satellite for TV.
Not that early DSL did not suffer, but so do many new technologies for a period of time.
CAPS on DSL are done at the CO I believe, not local at the modem. But since installing RTs to cut down copper loss in more remote areas, there are measureable improvements across the spectrum. I think CAPS are a thing of the past in many areas.
And while you may sign up for 384/128k service to save money it is not unusual for you to see 1mb and higher speeds. I can testify to that on more than one system.
But if you are running a small business, and sign up for a 1.5m commercial line you do not want to know that your neighbor is getting speed just as fast at a lower consumer rate.
A very clever marketing ploy, and higher speeds are out there for everyone. Read the fine print at SBC or Verizon, etc. they are saying nothing about better hardware. They are just saying if you don't reach the speeds you sign up for they will 'look into the problem'.
With VDSL on the horizon, the use of phone lines to deliver high speed access is not going away IMHO. |
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| ayanomich |
BklynMDX,
I pay 39.95 monthly for the 1.5 from Cox here in Vegas. They also offer 128K for 29.95 and 3 mb for 49.99. The 1.5 is perfect for me and the Motorola modem keeps the speeds consistent. |
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| laborlitigator |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Probably one of the main reasons I went with DSL was to avoid cable, in the same fashion I went with satellite for TV.
Not that early DSL did not suffer, but so do many new technologies for a period of time.
CAPS on DSL are done at the CO I believe, not local at the modem. But since installing RTs to cut down copper loss in more remote areas, there are measureable improvements across the spectrum. I think CAPS are a thing of the past in many areas.
And while you may sign up for 384/128k service to save money it is not unusual for you to see 1mb and higher speeds. I can testify to that on more than one system.
But if you are running a small business, and sign up for a 1.5m commercial line you do not want to know that your neighbor is getting speed just as fast at a lower consumer rate.
A very clever marketing ploy, and higher speeds are out there for everyone. Read the fine print at SBC or Verizon, etc. they are saying nothing about better hardware. They are just saying if you don't reach the speeds you sign up for they will 'look into the problem'.
With VDSL on the horizon, the use of phone lines to deliver high speed access is not going away IMHO.
I wish I could go DSL so I could ge rid of the cable but not offered here. . . |
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| mdxxxx |
quote:
Originally posted by renov8r
...Go with DSL if possible, much more competitive!...
Agreed. |
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| JTM |
quote:
Originally posted by Dale MDX
My cable modem (Toshiba PCX 2200) is capable of either USB or network card connection (my computer does have a network card). The cable company used the USB (USB 2.0) connection. Is there a speed advantage to switching to the network card connection? Any idea what is involved in switching over, besides plugging it in?
Dale MDX,
I am using the same modem as you are. Here is my opinion....
If your PC connects to modem direct to go on internet, it doesn't make much different by connect via USB port or RJ45 port. This is because normal internet download speed is up to 1.5mbps.
But if your PC connects to a rounter (or network), and trying to do files transfer between the PCs within the network, there will be different. I believe the transfer speed on USB 1.x is up to 12mbps or USB 2 is up to 480mbps. The network card's transfer speed is mostly 10mbps or 100mbps. So depends on your system/network configuration. It might be faster to go with USB or Network Card. |
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| renov8r |
topped out at 10m?
Yeah, I know there must be some, but not since P][ days :rolleyes:
Heck Macs have had GIGABIT Ethernet for a few years now.... |
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