When I plugged the router into a Surfboard SB6141 modem, no joy.
If you don't want to read the story and want a simple fix go to the SUMMARY section at the end of the post. Hoping by sharing someone at Comcast might actually fix things so this process is a bit more seamless.
Why am I testing out the Surfboard SB6141 instead of using what Comcast provided? Been having random issues with their equipment, costs money to rent, plus read up on DOCSIS 3.0 on web sites like this:
http://www.cox.com/residential/support/internet/article.cox?articleId=d0168860-e4eb-11e0-dee8-000000000000
and this:
http://www.tinkertry.com/sb6141/
Getting all this to work is another matter...calling Comcast is not something I look forward to on most days so doing as much research in advance as possible to minimize the time involved.
I read that when the modem has a device plugged in will be in bridged mode. This means the cable modem will pass the connection through to the connected device to interact with the ISP. Apparently the activation process with Comcast or other ISP ties the computer's MAC address to the ISP connection. The IP stores that MAC for 24 hours or longer. When you unplug the computer with the MAC address the ISP is expecting and plug in another device such as a router you will longer get your Internet connection.
>> update: however, I spoke to someone at Comcast that suggested they no longer use MAC addresses for cable. However he couldn't explain why plugging in the TRENDnet router would not work. If anyone can - technically - explain this to me give me a shout on Twitter. I want nerd level details.
There are presumably a few ways around this MAC issue if you are on a network with such an issue per what I read. I haven't tried any of this:
1. Wait 24 hours to see if the ISP picks up the new MAC Address :) but time is money and this sounds hokey. Not sure would solve the problem. Probably still have to call.
2. Configure the router to look like it is the device with the MAC the ISP is looking for. I don't like this option much personally.
3. Get the ISP to recognize the MAC address of the correct device. This seems like everyone is playing nicely and doing what is expected of them. Apparently easier said than done.
Specific examples -
I tried initially to plug in a cheap TRENDnet router just for fun. It was about $24 at Fry's. This didn't work at all. They suggest cloning the MAC address as noted in the following article:
How to make a TRENDnet router work clone MAC address of computer that registered during activation: http://www.trendnet.com/kb/kbp_viewquestion.asp?ToDo=view&questId=1091&catId=42
As a side note faking a MAC address shows you just how reliable MAC addresses are for authentication of a device (as in not at all).
Apparently Cisco routers have a similar issue when not using a Cisco cable modem. However they are more powerful and allow Administrators to program them to do more things. If you are not an admin or trying to become one this can be daunting and frustrating so not recommended for home users who don't enjoy geeking out.
Cisco instructions to configure a non-Cisco cable modem:
But moving along, I unplugged the TRENDnet router and plugged in my NETGEAR wireless router I was using before I swapped out the cable modem. It worked without doing anything - but only for a wired connection from the machine I used to configure the modem to the NETGEAR device. Yes I plugged, unplugged, rebooted, released, renewed, reset, closed and opened. Nothing worked. So unless you only want one device on the network and no wireless this isn't very useful.
Ok now I'm on a mission. I'm going to try some different cable modems. Next up is a NETGEAR modem.
Once again I go through the activation routine. This time it forces me to create a brand new Xfinity account even though I created one yesterday setting up the Motorola Surfboard modem. The credentials I created yesterday don't work either. Not to mention - I have a business class account and normally I login somewhere else.
Anyway, only one hiccup in the activation: said it hit an error and had to unplug and re-plug in the modem. Then it said activation was complete. Said to close and re-open browser.
Ah, but no. New browser brings back activation page. Hmm. Let's try turning off modem for longer and a reboot.
Nope.
Have to start over.
Grumble.
On second attempt I don't think I had to enter as much information. It got to the page that said all good. I hit next, modem restarted, no connection.
Close browser. Wait for all the lights to indicate the modem is happy. Open browser. No dice. Hit fix connection which resets the network adapter.
Joy.
Ok now let's try a newer version of NETGEAR router. Old is a couple years old at least. That's ancient in tech years.
Plug NETGEAR router into NETGEAR modem.
And. It. Works.
The speeds were actually slightly better than the Surfboard though not significantly.
Ok change password, set up wireless. That works too. Sort of.
iPhones have issues with current NETGEAR firmware but that's a topic for another post.
Also I guess will be forced to call Comcast since my static IP is not working. (See below for how that turned out).
So one option is don't buy a Motorola Surfboard or TRENDnet router if using Comcast. Or don't use Comcast. Get a decent NETGEAR modem and wireless router instead if you are looking for a simple option...except for the Apple issue I will explain later. And not if you have a fixed IP.
The Surfboard is getting a lot of hype but apparently it can't work to full potential on Comcast (if at all). Based on the Cox link above doesn't seem the Surfboard is the issue.
--- Call to Comcast
I actually got someone good on the phone when I called Comcast who put up with all my questions and got me some answers. He couldn't answer everything but he did get info from someone who could explain the static IP issue and the "only approved equipment" and why the Surfboard only has one star on their web site.
You cannot have a static IP unless you use Comcast provided gear. This is because the gear from Comcast is altered and customized to interact with their systems. In the case of a fixed IP address there is certain configuration Comcast owns and manages to interact with their systems. It is proprietary and a security risk to expose this to customer owned devices where customers (and hackers) can do anything they want on that device. Hackers could use their box, or take over yours - and get into the Comcast network. Once in they can do damage to everyone.
If you don't believe all this mumbo jumbo I'd be happy to share a case study I did on the Target Breach. If you understand that you may understand why the security people at Comcast have such paranoia (which I share). I just wish they would explain things a bit better when customers call.
As for the Motorola Surfboard it is "compatible" but not "supported" by Comcast. That means it might work and should work but you have to call the vendor (Motorola) if you have problems. Hence the one star. And as noted won't work with a fixed IP.
SUMMARY
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A speed test at speeds I currently pay for showed no difference between Motorola, NETGEAR or Comcast provided gear.
If you really don't want Comcast gear and you don't need a fixed IP the Surfboard connected to my computer OK, but when I logged in can't change any settings. Routers I tried with the Surfboard had issues. Sounds like the MAC cloning may or may not be the problem with TRENDnet + Surfboard.
It was easier for me to set up with a couple hiccups was DOCSIS 3.0 gigabit modem + wireless router from NETGEAR.
I figured out the SMC from Comcast was not the issue for my Apple products. Suspected the wireless router but had to prove it.For someone I know and a free dinner! :)
Looks like Comcast also has a router from Cisco that is DOCSIS 3.0, 8 channels down, 4 up. Looks pretty good. But their techs have to set it up if you want business class + fixed IP. Note that I was thinking of going for the DPC3008 to have a simple modem that wouldn't conflict with other devices but for a fixed IP they force you to get a wireless gateway device. You can ask them to set this up in bridge mode and turn off the wi-fi.
And while I was on the phone - they've been calling me to upgrade my service for same price. Got that done. Plugged back in the Comcast equipment.
Speed test: 56.95 down. 11.71 up.
So there you go. Getting the speed I paid for. Resolved issue with Apple iPads and IPhones not connecting to NETGEAR wireless router and had nothing to do with Comcast.
The only thing I want to check is quality of streaming video which was fuzzier than my friend's TV. Time for a TV test??
Which cable modem is right for you? Take your pick...just go for DOCSIS 3.0 with 8 channel down, 4 channel up if going very high speed and Comcast gear if you need fixed IP.
Update: 8/29/2014 --- Cisco cable modem / gateway
Tried out Cisco provided modem from Comcast Business class.
59.95 down
11.65 up
So pretty much the same as the same as the others but hopefully a Cisco device will play nicely with the other Cisco devices I am about to install.
I was able to ask the tech to turn off the two wireless networks and the wireless hot spot. I am not exactly sure why there is a separate wireless hot spot on top of the other wireless networks but don't want anything connecting to that device over wireless. You can login to that device and change the settings as needed if you want to turn off DHCP, turn on bridge mode, etc. I believe you can do the same with the SMC.
Update: 8/29/2014 --- Cisco cable modem / gateway
Tried out Cisco provided modem from Comcast Business class.
59.95 down
11.65 up
So pretty much the same as the same as the others but hopefully a Cisco device will play nicely with the other Cisco devices I am about to install.
I was able to ask the tech to turn off the two wireless networks and the wireless hot spot. I am not exactly sure why there is a separate wireless hot spot on top of the other wireless networks but don't want anything connecting to that device over wireless. You can login to that device and change the settings as needed if you want to turn off DHCP, turn on bridge mode, etc. I believe you can do the same with the SMC.
