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DrSmith
join:2009-02-16

DrSmith to Johkal

Member

to Johkal

Re: What modem should I purchase.

What are you configuring & doing maintenance on a modem?

Configuring, not much. Maintenance - yup, plenty. Check the modem event logs every day for connectivity issues or (surprise) new firmware being pushed down when I didn't ask for it.

As for the router: you configure it once & it is done unless you want to change something.

Check my router logs every day for WiFi intrusion attempts. Only takes a second, even less time when both logs are in ONE device!

Power to each device means two available sockets. That's a big deal?

It is when you lose power and want to maximize your internet connection lifetime during a power outage. My UPS keeps a single device going twice as long.

Latency isn't an issue unless there is something wrong with the Ethernet ports, Ethernet cable or of course the router.

agreed.

NAT confusion?

This gets complicated, especially if you run a home server. But you could NAT in your router, or let the bridge-modem do it. There are advantages/disadvantages to either.

Don't forget that you have way more options & flexibility if 3rd party firmware is available for your router.

agreed. DD-WRT open WRT, tomato WRT are all better choices than factory firmware and UI.

Johkal
Cool Cat
MVM
join:2002-11-13
Pennsyltucky

1 recommendation

Johkal

MVM

I will disagree referring to checking the diagnostics of your modem and/or router as maintenance. That is merely a curiosity & not required. I don't check anything unless I have an issue.

DarkLogix
Texan and Proud
Premium Member
join:2008-10-23
Baytown, TX

1 recommendation

DarkLogix to DrSmith

Premium Member

to DrSmith
if a new firmware is pushed to the modem you have no control, and if its a combo unit then you might be in trouble as it could break it and you'll be SOL, nothing you can do in that case.

If your wifi security is so crap that you check regularly you're doing it wrong.

Misconception, it'll last just as long, you still have all the hardware to be powered.

ya actual latency is no different
the theoretical case I mention describes the latency added due to more interfaces being passed, and thus more buffers and more cpu's, its very theoretical and you'd never see the difference

NAT, on a standard modem? do you even know what you're doing?
standard modems are bridges and don't have any interaction with NAT
they just pass the traffic at layer 2 to your router which as a consumer router will do the nat. (there is nothing at all you can configure on a standard modem.)
DrSmith
join:2009-02-16

DrSmith

Member

said by DarkLogix:

NAT, on a standard modem? do you even know what you're doing? standard modems are bridges and don't have any interaction with NAT

Right, this would be non-standard and obviously it's no longer a bridge if it is doing NAT. Yes, I know. But as I mentioned things can get more complicated if you run a server.

But here's a real question for all the modem/router separation fans. Which modems can be put into bridged mode by the customer without a call to Comcast support?

Johkal
Cool Cat
MVM
join:2002-11-13
Pennsyltucky

Johkal

MVM

said by DrSmith:

Which modems can be put into bridged mode by the customer without a call to Comcast support?

None as far as I know. Why?
DrSmith
join:2009-02-16

DrSmith

Member

said by Johkal:

None as far as I know. Why?

So, another drawback to separate units could be installation? Dunno about you but every time I've had to call Comcast support it's been the roulette wheel of terror. Some phone techs are great, some will cost you several hours off your life. And when there is a firmware update, do you have to call to set bridged mode again?

Johkal
Cool Cat
MVM
join:2002-11-13
Pennsyltucky

3 recommendations

Johkal

MVM

This just supports not having a gateway device to begin with.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

3 recommendations

tshirt to DrSmith

Premium Member

to DrSmith
Only gateways need to be set to "bridged mode" (routing/DCHP off) plain modems are already bridges.
Yes gateway are compact and work for some, but the disadvantages of not being able to control and separate the modem from the router outweigh any advantage.
anyone able/capable of setting up a running a even a simple server is likely fully capable of adjusting router settings.

DarkLogix
Texan and Proud
Premium Member
join:2008-10-23
Baytown, TX

1 edit

DarkLogix to DrSmith

Premium Member

to DrSmith
said by DrSmith:

said by DarkLogix:

NAT, on a standard modem? do you even know what you're doing? standard modems are bridges and don't have any interaction with NAT

Right, this would be non-standard and obviously it's no longer a bridge if it is doing NAT. Yes, I know. But as I mentioned things can get more complicated if you run a server.

But here's a real question for all the modem/router separation fans. Which modems can be put into bridged mode by the customer without a call to Comcast support?

If you're running Comcast HSI and not BCI then you can't put hardly any in non-bridged mode.

only time briged mode comes up is BCI and SCM/netgear.

though technical if you're running a server then per the AUP you should be using BCI with statics which kinda kills your idea of a nonSMC type unit

With BCI you'd have your router connected to the SMC and have your statics assigned to your router's wan.

I get the feeling you might not have a good grasp on the situation.

there's really no complication that you think there is

ON HSI (IE resi) the modem is a bridge unless you foolishly get a gateway.
then your router gets a DHCP IP
you do all your nat on your router and there is nothing to be done on the modem

on BCI (business class) you would ether use a standard modem and get a dynamic or use a comcast provided gateway and statics. ether way you then have your router connected to the device with a public IP on the wan of your router.

The reason its foolish to use a gateway with DHCP is you lose control of it, and a firmware update might cost you "years off your life"
DarkLogix

DarkLogix to DrSmith

Premium Member

to DrSmith
said by DarkLogix:

said by DrSmith:

said by DarkLogix:

NAT, on a standard modem? do you even know what you're doing? standard modems are bridges and don't have any interaction with NAT

Right, this would be non-standard and obviously it's no longer a bridge if it is doing NAT. Yes, I know. But as I mentioned things can get more complicated if you run a server.

But here's a real question for all the modem/router separation fans. Which modems can be put into bridged mode by the customer without a call to Comcast support?

If you're running Comcast HSI and not BCI then you can't put hardly any in non-bridged mode.

only time briged mode comes up is BCI and SCM/netgear.

though technical if you're running a server then per the AUP you should be using BCI with statics which kinda kills your idea of a nonSMC type unit

With BCI you'd have your router connected to the SMC and have your statics assigned to your router's wan.

I get the feeling you might not have a good grasp on the situation.

there's really no complication that you think there is

ON HSI (IE resi) the modem is a bridge unless you foolishly get a gateway.
then your router gets a DHCP IP
you do all your nat on your router and there is nothing to be done on the modem

on BCI (business class) you would ether use a standard modem and get a dynamic or use a comcast provided gateway and statics. ether way you then have your router connected to the device with a public IP on the wan of your router.

The reason its foolish to use a gateway with DHCP is you lose control of it, and a firmware update might cost you "years off your life"

Short version is a plain modem is only a bridge and not capable of working in any other mode.