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2. Setting up and Testing your Modem·Should I connect via Ethernet or USB?
·What NIC should I use?
·What Splitter Should I Use for OOL?
·How can I tweak my connection?
·How can I check out my signal levels?
·Running DocsDiag to see detailed modem info
·What should my modem levels be?
·What do I do if my modem levels are poor?
·How do I know what firmware version I have?
·What about Cable Amplifiers?
| | | Ethernet!
There have been numerous reports of speeds increasing substantially when users switch from connecting their modem via USB to connecting via a NIC.
If there is any way possible you can connect via an ethernet NIC, I strongly recommend you do.
It's quite possible dumping the USB connection will help out with other problems/issues as well.
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by Lex Luthor 
last modified: 2002-03-04 14:56:59 | | | For the most part, any ethernet NIC will work just fine. I'd only suggest that a PCI NIC would be best (although you might be ok with an ISA card, as well).
As far as the brand, almost all NICs perform identically, speed wise. Any of the lower cost NICs should do just fine (linksys, soho, d-link, etc). A low cost NIC can be easily had for less than $20 if you look around a little.
The expensive NICs (3com, Intel) buy you better technical support/updated drivers for new OSs, if anything at all.
I would certainly recommend that you, at least, start with a low cost NIC.
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feedback form
by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2002-03-04 14:57:12 | | | If you have CATV and OOL you may need to split your main CATV line that drops from the pole or underground. Although a “direct drop” (dedicated CATV line for OOL) is best for OOL, it is not always possible or cost effective.
Your OOL connection to your cable MODEM is best achieved by splitting the signal at the first splitter. You will need a good quality splitter rated at 5 to 1000Mz. with an input impedance of 75 ohms. It should have two splits of no more than - 3.5dB each (insertion loss). The other factor is the tolerance limits on the -3.5dB split. A splitter with a tolerance of + - 3.0dB is not as good as one with a tolerance of + - 1dB. In no case buy a splitter with more than - 4dB loss.
One side of the splitter will be used exclusively for your cable MODEM connection. Do not add any additional splitters after the first split. While the other split is used for your CATVs. This line can be further split for additional TVs.
If you have multiple TVs, a 3 way splitter can be used in the first split. The specs are the same as for the 2 way splitter, except you will have a – 3.5dB split (for the cable MODEM) and two – 7dB splits for the TVs.
Unused splits should be terminated with a 75 ohm terminator.
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feedback form
by Irish Shark edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2002-08-12 09:49:07 | | | As you may or may not know, Windows default TCP/IP settings can hold back ones speed with a broadband connection. It may be necessary to tweak your settings to get your optimal speeds.
Download DrTCP using the link at the top of the Optimumonline forum.
As a starting place, set your Tcp receive window to 64240. Choose your network card in the adapter settings dropdown box and set the MaxMTU for your network card to 1500.
Apply, exit and reboot.
Re-run the speed tests at the top of the forum. There is a good chance you will see a HUGE jump in speed from the default windows settings.
Those settings are the best for a good many people on OOL, but not for everyone. To try to tweak further, either read the Tweak forum FAQ and/or post for help in the Tweaks or Optimumonline forums. You probably will only see minor jumps in speed from here on out, though. Some people suggest you make keep your RWIN a multiple of 1460. I'm not sure if that actually helps or not, but it can't really hurt.
If you decide to use an RWIN>65535 and use Win95/Win98/98SE, you need to install the microsoft vtcp.386 update found here:
vtcp.386 update for Win98/98SE
vtcp.386 update for Win95
In addition, for an RWIN>65535 to be recognized, you need to turn on Windows Scaling using DrTCP or other utility.
You also might want to check for updated drivers for your NIC. In some cases, that has resulted in a speed change.
Note: Changes only are effective after a system reboot.
Mac owners might want to read here for more:
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by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2002-08-08 19:32:27 | | | 3Com Sharkfin
Older Firmware: »149.112.50.65
Newer Firmware: »192.168.100.1
user=User
password=Password
Motorola Surfboard: »192.168.100.1
If required to login use:
user=admin
password=motorola
Terayon Terajet 110: Doesn't have this feature
3Com CMX: Doesn't have this feature
Other modems: I don't know
/faq/2815
In addition, if you suspect your modem levels are off, you can start a new thread and ask ooltech to check your levels remotely for you.
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feedback form
by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2006-06-03 17:48:10 | | | You can use a program called DocsDiag to extract information from the modem. You'll need to temporarily change your computer's or router's IP address when running the program, but you won't have to change any wiring. If your computer is connected directly to the modem, you can use the following instructions if you're running Windows 98/98SE; if you're running another OS, you should determine how to change your PC's IP address before proceeding. (If you have a router, it doesn't matter what OS you're using.)
1. Visit the DocsDiag home page and download the docsdiag.zip file. Unzip the downloaded file to extract docsdiag.jar.
2. Change your IP address to 192.168.100.2 and subnet mask to 255.255.255.0. You can use one of the following methods if it applies to your system (note your current settings before you change them):•If your PC is connected directly to the modem and you use Windows 98/98SE, click Start, Settings, Control Panel. Double-click Network. On the Configuration tab, click TCP/IP for your Ethernet adapter, then click Properties. On the IP Address tab, select Specify an IP Address, enter an IP address of 192.168.100.2 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. Click OK and OK. Reboot if prompted.•If you have a Linksys router, go to the router's setup page and select specify an IP address, enter an IP address of 192.168.100.2, a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, and a gateway of 0.0.0.0.•If you have a Netgear router, go to menu 4, change IP Address Assignment to Static, IP Address to 192.168.100.2, IP Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0, and Gateway IP Address to 0.0.0.0.
3. In the MS-DOS window, enter the following command:
For machines with Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine
jview /cp docsdiag.jar docsdiag
For machines with Sun's Java Runtime Environment
java -cp docsdiag.jar docsdiag
This should produce output with your signal levels and firmware version. Go here to see what your signal values should be.
4. Put your IP address back to dynamically assigned by restoring the original settings you changed in step 3:•For a direct connection to the modem, go back to the TCP/IP Properties dialog box and select Obtain an IP address automatically. Reboot if prompted.•For a Linksys router, go back to the router's setup page and select Obtain an IP address automatically.•For a Netgear router, go back to menu 4 and change IP Address Assignment to Dynamic.
In addition, the following works for Toshiba modems:
To access the built in diagnostics, set your ip statically to 192.168.100.2, set your subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 and set your gateway to 192.168.100.1. Enter 192.168.100.1 into your browser you'll see the diagnostics page.
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by Bobcat edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2006-05-29 21:41:42 | | | Receive: -15dbmV to +15dbmV
Transmit: 30dbmV to 55dbmV
Carrier/Noise Ratio: >30dB
The closer to the center of the spec, the better (for receive and transmit).
As you get closer to the edge of the spec, you might start to see some connectivity problems.
Note: signal strength does not really affect speed. So as long as you aren't getting disconnects/pauses/packet loss, you probably are ok, even if you are nearer the edge of the spec.
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by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2002-09-15 12:14:29 | | | Take a look at how your connection is set up.
Make sure that your splitter is rated to at least 750MHz.
Are you using multiple splitters?
If so, try to get the modem on the first 2:1 splitter.
If you have a 3:1 splitter, make sure you put the modem on one of the 2 splits that have a lower db loss (the db loss for each leg of the splitter will be printed on the splitter itself).
In general, it's best to split the cable only once before it hits the cable modem.
Also, possibly try replacing the splitter, maybe replace some of the cabling, tighten all your connectors, etc and then re-check your levels.
If all that doesn't get you into a good range, it might be time for a service call.
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feedback form
by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2002-09-06 16:22:38 | | | With any modem on the OOL network, you can run DOCSDIAG to find out the software version. For more information on how to run DOCSDIAG, look here »Optimum Online FAQ »Running DocsDiag to see detailed modem info
For Motorola SB3100, SB4x00, and SB5x00 modems, you can use the internal 192.168.100.1/mainhelp.html you will see the version identified at the top of the page.
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by jaa edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2003-09-17 14:36:57 | | | Signal boosters(Amplifiers) usually cause more noise on the line which will result in disconnects. Also it will kill the upstream signal (out of spec). Amps on a cable modem are never a good idea.
Bottom Line: Avoid any "booster" or "Amplifier" devices on your Cable Modem Line.
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feedback form
by drake edited by Lex Luthor
last modified: 2004-03-26 07:00:48 |
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