Cable modems

[Warhammer4k]

So we switched to cable Internets.  I'm about to buy a cable modem so we don't throw away any more $ on renting theirs.  Before I buy, I was wondering whether there's any reason I should buy a DOCSIS 3.0 modem instead of a DOCSIS 2.0 modem like the Motorola Surfboard SB5101U.  A DOCSIS 3.0 modem costs substantially more, with no benefit for now.

Comcast's website says they'll deploy DOCSIS 3.0 in our area "soon."  Apparently they already did it in several cities last year.

It's cool that the new top speed will be 50 Mbit/s, but we don't have any plans to buy the super-duper high-speed package.  The "slow" 6 megabit/s package is working great.

Supposedly, once Comcast rolls out DOCSIS 3.0, we'll get a free boost to 12 Mbit speed.  Will we have to have a DOCSIS 3.0 modem to get that boost?  A DOCSIS 2.0 modem will already do 42 Mbit down, so I suspect not, but who knows.  I can't call Comcast to check until Monday, and I'm not optimistic about the ability of first-line tech support or sales to have any clue what I'm talking about.

[Picard]

DOCSIS 2.0 modems can do powerboost but comcast starting a few months ago, is no longer allowing new customers to use DOCSIS 2.0 modems and use powerboost you have to have a DOCSIS 3.0 modem to get powerboost if you are a new customer. Anyways it is worth it to get the new motorola DOCSIS 3.0 modem it can handle line problems much better then the older DOCSIS 2.0 modems also there were plenty of bugs with DOCSIS 2.0 modems, so really just get the latest motorola DOCSIS 3.0 modem, that way you won't have any headaches over modem issues.

[eggsovereasy]

Comcast's website says they'll deploy DOCSIS 3.0 in our area "soon."  Apparently they already did it in several cities last year.

It's cool that the new top speed will be 50 Mbit/s, but we don't have any plans to buy the super-duper high-speed package.  The "slow" 6 megabit/s package is working great.

Supposedly, once Comcast rolls out DOCSIS 3.0, we'll get a free boost to 12 Mbit speed.  Will we have to have a DOCSIS 3.0 modem to get that boost?  A DOCSIS 2.0 modem will already do 42 Mbit down, so I suspect not, but who knows.  I can't call Comcast to check until Monday, and I'm not optimistic about the ability of first-line tech support or sales to have any clue what I'm talking about.

Comcast already rolled out DOCSIS 3.0 here in Nashville and it is amazing. And to echo Picard, they do make new customers have a DOCSIS 3.0 modem in order to subscribe.

And their tech support is surprisingly decent. Not amazing but they were knowledgeable and able to help switch modems (I bought my own cuz I didn't want to rent theirs) without a hitch.

[Warhammer4k]

Naturally they gave us a DOCSIS 2.0 modem (the Motorola mentioned above) for the rental.

I just ordered the Motorola DOCSIS 3.0 modem (SB6120).

[Warhammer4k]

OK it's here.  I'm doing a live chat session with a Comcast tech to get us set up with the new MAC.

[Warhammer4k]

Well crap.  We got our new modem working, but Comcast is having periodic network outages.  So we're repeatedly getting disconnected.  In fact I may not get to finish this p