Cable modem/router?

[Dusty Chalk]

I'm tired of paying rent on my cable modem, want to get my own.  What should be my criteria?  Also, my router seems to be on its last legs anyway.  Also I'd like something somewhat slightly secure-ish.  (Read:  as secure as is possible without writing my own OS.)

 

Right now I'm on cable, but FIOS is an option.  Does that make a difference?  I.E. if I switch, is there a router that I can get that I will still be able to use?

 

The lady on the phone said "Arris".  Yes/no/disagree/agree-but-with-qualifications?

 

She actually said the one she would recommend isn't even on the list yet, it has a dual-band router, which tells me they can make it work.  Yes/no/disagree/agree...?

 

Here is the list of choices.

 

DOCSIS 3.0, yes?

[Grahame]

Wirecutter says http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-cable-modem/

 

Use only approved hardware, so they can't use the "we don't support that model" response when/if there are issues.

 

What plan (max upload / download speeds) determines the minimum number of up/down channels required to support those speeds.

 

Are you (or your isp) planning to upgrade in the near future, bear that in mind. 

 

SB-6141 available in black http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Motorola-SurfBoard-SB6141-DOCSIS/dp/B00YUU5628

 

Don't forget http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

[cetoole]

Router is router regardless of wan type (for this purpose). You just don't use the modem. Modem go docsis 3.0.

Not sure what router to suggest. I have a ubiquiti edgerouter with a switch and wireless router running df-wrt hanging off that. Works fairly well for me, but there is likely better out there. I have heard good things about mikrotik.

For the "moar" answer, Juniper?

Edited July 21, 2015 by cetoole

[morphsci]

I have been using a Motorola SB6141 for the last year and it has been trouble-free. I use a seperate wi-fi router because all my previous combined units have sucked donkey balls.

[crappyjones123]

Have purchased five SB6121 in the past 3 years. For myself, Julie, parents and one of Julie's friends. Worked perfectly. 6141 is a bit more expensive. I don't know why but if it is moar bettar then go for it. I currently get ~90mbps on my 6121 so speed is not an issue. 

[Dusty Chalk]

I use a seperate wi-fi router because all my previous combined units have sucked donkey balls.

Ah.  Yes, I was thinking of getting a combined modem/router, maybe not.  Is this the consensus, that they all (combined modem/router units) suck donkey balls?  That's too bad, it would've been nice to get an all-in-one solution.

[cetoole]

I definitely would go separate.

[Dusty Chalk]

SB-6141 available in black http://www.amazon.com/ARRIS-Motorola-SurfBoard-SB6141-DOCSIS/dp/B00YUU5628

 

Don't forget http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-router/

Sweet, sold (if Microcenter or Best Buy sell it, will stop by on the way home).

 

Thanks for the links.  ...and confirmation.  ...everybody.

[dsavitsk]

Not sure what router to suggest. I have a ubiquiti edgerouter

 

I have one of these, too, and it is pretty nice. The initial setup is actually really simple, but it has the ability to be much more advanced. It has worked flawlessly since initial turn-on. We then use several Unifi APs around the house.

[cetoole]

You could also look at pfsense if you have a spare computer laying around, or the desire for one.

[Dusty Chalk]

Sweet, sold (if Microcenter or Best Buy sell it, will stop by on the way home).

 

Thanks for the links.  ...and confirmation.  ...everybody.

They didn't sell it in black, so I got the combo unit (SBG6580).  The salesman confirmed what you said -- that I should get separates, but then he said I could try it and return it if I didn't like it, so I went ahead and I will play with it until the weekend of August 8 or 9, at which point I will return it for separates.  Here's to being eternally optimistic that they eventually ironed out the kinks.

[skullguise]

I prefer separate units.....I use the SB6121, no issues since plug-in.  And I can do what I want in regards to Wi-Fi....going to 802.11ac soon, will cover more of the house and with faster speeds.

[kevin gilmore]

if you are comcast you definitely want the 6121 or 6141, as of last week in chicago

they upgraded the firmware, so everything is fully ipv6 compatible. Also getting

90mbit now.

 

and the big netgear for the wireless or something similar so that ipv6 works correctly too.

[TMoney]

Thanks for making this thread, DC.

 

6141 purchased. Shitty comcast modem will be returned to them as soon as it shows up.

[robm321]

My Comcast router is horrible too. This thread is timely since I start working from home in about a week. 

[Dusty Chalk]

if you are comcast you definitely want the 6121 or 6141, as of last week in chicago

they upgraded the firmware, so everything is fully ipv6 compatible. Also getting

90mbit now.

 

and the big netgear for the wireless or something similar so that ipv6 works correctly too.

Aw, man, even Kevin...er...Dr. Gilmore pipes up to tell me to buy separately?  Man...

 

No, seriously, thanks for the info on IPv6...

[Absorbine_Sr]

Another vote for the SB6141 and Netgear Nighthawk (R7000). We've been using this combo for a couple of years and it is rock solid and fast. No complaints.

[Pars]

We're on Comcast in Chicago, but have triple-play. What would the recommended voice modem be for us? Arris TM822?

 

We're still using a previous-gen Airport Extreme for a router. I have a Comcast X-1 class router (Cisco something or other), but kind of wanted to keep using our own router. I'm actually using the previous Arris 622 modem (IIRC, might be a 722) which doesn't get us our full speed.

 

Apparently with any of the Comcast-supplied routers, you cannot put them into bridge mode yourself... Comcast has to do it. And they apparently default to their non-bridged configuration if they reset, requiring another phone call. If any of this is incorrect please correct me.

[MexicanDragon]

Check the modem for your use but this is probably a reasonable combo.

The Nighthawk should be good, as is the Asus RT-68G. I have the TMO version (if you have T-Mobile get that one for 25$), and get 150-280Mbps over N, which has a theoretical top speed of 300Mbps I believe. A friend just got one today and he is happy with the results.

Another friend is rocking 90Mbps on his 75Mb Comcast with the Airport Extreme he got this week.

Lots of good options out there. Good luck with whichever separates you get.

**BRENT**

[HeadphoneAddict]

We're on Comcast in Chicago, but have triple-play. What would the recommended voice modem be for us? Arris TM822?

 

We're still using a previous-gen Airport Extreme for a router. I have a Comcast X-1 class router (Cisco something or other), but kind of wanted to keep using our own router. I'm actually using the previous Arris 622 modem (IIRC, might be a 722) which doesn't get us our full speed.

 

Apparently with any of the Comcast-supplied routers, you cannot put them into bridge mode yourself... Comcast has to do it. And they apparently default to their non-bridged configuration if they reset, requiring another phone call. If any of this is incorrect please correct me.

 

My Comcast supplied internet/phone modem for triple play was set to bridged mode by Comcast, and does NOT revert back to router mode when reset, we've done it many times if things go awry.  I think it's a Technicolor brand modem (used to be an RCA before we upgraded to DOCSIS 3.0).  We're seeing about 90Mbps with our 50Mbps service.

 

We use the latest Airport Extreme 3TB Time Capsule as our router, but we saw the same speeds with our older 5th Gen Airport Extreme.

[Pars]

I had gotten a Technicolor router/modem from them initially but it was in bridged mode (I presume... Airport wouldn't work plugged into Ethernet port 1). Since I was getting more throughput with my Airport/Arris combo, I never went further trying to set it up. The phone didn't work initially either.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Pars

[TMoney]

Well that sure was easy. Plugged the SB in when I got home and got a prompt within 5 minutes to get it set up on my account. Working like a charm!

 

[TMoney]

Nice, also called comcast and got them to cut my bill more than 35%! It is still an absurd amount, but at least it isn't the ridiculous sum it was before.

[roadtonowhere08]

Nice, also called comcast and got them to cut my bill more than 35%! It is still an absurd amount, but at least it isn't the ridiculous sum it was before.

 

Very nice.

 

TWC tried to screw me over after our 1 year "promo" price was up and charge me a shit ton more, but "because I was such a good customer", they'd give me the same service as before but 10 bucks more a month.  I told them to blow me and I am ending up paying less now per month than before.  And I have 50Mb/s (measured) service now rather than 30Mb/s (measured).  Calling and being stubborn can work wonders.

Edited July 25, 2015 by roadtonowhere08

[shellylh]

Most of the time my (Comcast Blast) connection works and is fast. However, recently it seems like I've been losing my connection more often (sometimes weekly). I thought it was maybe my modem since Comcast online always says that my connection is fine and there are no outages in the area. The reason I think it's maybe not the modem is that it usually happens on Sunday night. The modem I use is the SB6121 which I bought over 3 years ago. Do you think it would be worth getting another modem or do you think it's my neighbors watching lots of streaming HD porn after night church.

Edited July 25, 2015 by shellylh