• What Cable Modems does RR provide?
• Can I use my own Cable Modem with RR?
• Can I connect more than 1 cable modem and download faster?
• How does RR connect my Modem?
• Why does my Cable Modem activity light flash rapidly?
• What do those LED lights represent in front of my Modem?
• What about Cable Amplifiers?
• Where can I find my Cable Modem's MAC address?
• How do I swap my Modem for another?
• Is it possible to update my cable modem's firmware?

Well each RR franchise has their own discretion with distributing Modems to their customers. So, for example: Oceanic RR may provide Motorolas while Time Warner New York City provides RCAs. It all comes down to the center you're picking the Cable Modem up from. And the best way to gain accurate info on what's being provided is calling your local center - see if its possible to know whats on the shelves. There could be multiple Modems.

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by drake
last modified: 2005-10-14 23:11:57

Road Runner is separated into franchises - they all operate at a different level of service. In addition, franchises have set their own standards with customer's bringing their own modem to RR.

Below we a list of RR divisions that allow/don't allow the use of your own Cable Modem. The list was compiled by a group of members from the RR Forum sometime ago, so the information may be a bit of date, for some.

Allowed

•carolina.rr.com
•columbus.rr.com
•hawaii.rr.com reported March-2010 - no longer allowed
•houston.rr.com
•hvc.rr.com
•insight.rr.com
•kc.rr.com
•mn.rr.com
•nc.rr.com
•neo.rr.com
•nj.rr.com
•nyc.rr.com
•rochester.rr.com
•san.rr.com
•si.rr.com
•triad.rr.com
•woh.rr.com

Not Allowed

•ec.rr.com
•hawaii.rr.com
•socal.rr.com
•swfla.rr.com
•twcny.rr.com
•ucwphilly.rr.com
•wi.rr.com

If you have further information regarding your franchise, please contact myself, Bleek, via site Instant Message.

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by drake edited by dbmaven
last modified: 2010-03-05 21:21:19

Yes, if you have multiple internet connections available they can be "bonded" with certain software or hardware to act as a single connection.

Internet Gateway for ViacomSoft (PC and Mac compatible):
»www.vicomsoft.com/vig/vig.main.html

This software is router/firewall/NAT solutions that allow connection teaming, be it 2 or more cable modems, cable/dsl, cable/dial-up, or any other combo. They both allow parallel downloading and/or fail-back connections (where one connection takes over if the other fails), in addition to all the other features offered.

There are also a few different hardware options out there too, that do a similar thing for a high price.

Symantec Symantec Firewall/VPN Appliance (Models 200 or 200R):
»enterprisesecurity.symantec.com/···63&EID=0

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by drake
last modified: 2004-11-26 05:20:52

Assuming there is CATV service provided by Time Warner in the home:

•Coaxial cable is split outside (or inside, depending on the setup) your home. One leg is split to your Cable TV box, while the other leg branches to your Cable Modem.

•A different type of cable line (known as "Cat-5" Cable) links the modem to your computer's ethernet port. Your computer should have a Ethernet card (or built-in motherboard ethernet) or a USB port for the cable to snap into.

•Both the modem power supply cord and your computer power supply cord plug into your power strip which, in turn, is plugged into your household socket.

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by drake
last modified: 2005-10-14 23:27:11

Most cable modems have an LED labelled Cable or Data or D/S, which indicates when data arrives from the cable network. Some users get worried that this LED flashes even when their PC is doing nothing or is switched off. If they are running a firewall, they are puzzled that the firewall does not register any traffic. There is no need for concern: some essential data (DHCP and ARP protocols) is broadcast into the cable network and arrives at every cable modem whether your PC needs it or not. You need not worry that someone is trying to hack into your PC just because the data light is flashing.

If the rate of flashing goes up when your PC is online (compared to when your PC is switched off or disconnected), but you do not know of any reason why your PC should be generating network traffic, then that might be a source of concern.

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by drake
last modified: 2005-10-14 23:42:00

This FAQ is to make sure you have a clear understanding of what's going on with your cable modem.

Motorola Surfboard 4100


Motorola Surfboard 4101/4200/4220


Toshiba PCX1100 Cable Modem


Toshiba PCX2200


Toshiba PCX2500/2600


3COM Sharkfin


--
Courtesy of neotechcc.org

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by drake
last modified: 2005-10-14 20:35:30

Signal boosters (amplifiers) usually cause more noise on the line which will result in disconnects. Also, it will kill the upstream signal (to the point where it is '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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by drake
last modified: 2005-10-16 14:54:45

Each cable modem, regardless of brand, is uniquely identified by its Cable Modem ID, or MAC address - short for Media Access Control. This address is a part of the hardware on the modem, and is associated with a specific user account.

As there are numerous cable modems on the market, and nearly as many that are used by our customers, below are generic instructions to locate your MAC address?

•Generally, the MAC address can be found on the bottom of the Modem, usually near or on a barcoded sticker, along with the serial number of the modem.

•Most times the MAC address will appear after these letters MAC or EA (e.g., MAC 00-12-ab-34-cd-5e) . Some Motorolas may have only SN (e.g., SN 8386848). Only use the alphanumeric numbers that appear after MAC or EA, or on some Motorolas, the numbers that appear after SN.

•It can be easily identified by its pattern (e.g. 00-12-ab-34-cd-5e or 8386848 on some Motorolas), which stays the same from modem to modem even if the values change.

•If your modem's MAC address can not be located using these tips, please check the manufacturer's user guide for the modem.

If you can access the modem settings page at »192.168.100.1 the MAC Address usually is also displayed on one of the pages. Not all modems and not all ISPs/divisions allow access to this page, so YMMV.

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by drake edited by dbmaven
last modified: 2011-12-23 09:44:34

Call your local cable center to get an idea of what cable modems are currently on the shelves. It saves you time from jumping center to center.

If the specific center doesn't have a particular modem you wish to use, you may visit/call another center in your franchise. Please refer to this FAQ for more info regarding the walk-in centers.

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by drake
last modified: 2005-10-14 23:43:47

Generally speaking from a consumer's point-of-view -- no, there isn't any way to flash your modem 'manually'. Your cable modem is controlled by the ISP you're connected to - so, in essence, they can leave the current firmware loaded from the manufacturer, or load a firmware from their head-end to each cable modem on the network.

Can you call for an update ... if available? Yes, sure; there's no harm in calling. They'd probably tell you that you have the latest one the ISP is working with at this point. If there is any latest firmware - the CMTS will probably flash your cable modem automatically, which will likely re-boot your cable modem; normal operation of flashing the firmware.

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by drake