left4dead
join:2008-12-24
Burbank, CA
|  Looking to upgrade Speedstream 4100 modem
Currently using a Motorola Speedstream 4100 modem with a Netgear WNR3500 router.
I'm thinking of upgrading my modem (either from eBay or Best Buy) and I would like to know what the BEST modem (new model or older model) works best for AT&T DSL service (3008/512).
Should I stick with the Speedstream 4100 or is there a better modem out there?
Thanks. |
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NormanS
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA | None better, that I know of. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | Out of curiosity, would other modems which use the TI chipset (Netopia 3346N-002, Actiontecs, some Westells, etc.) work as well? Some of these other models have the advantage of providing statistics which are not reported by the 4100/4100B. |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
| The AR7 is pretty much the standard chipset for most modern modems. If the modem manufacturers follow the reference designs for the AR7, then their performance shouldn't vary much from the Speedstreams, especially the 4100b with DSL2+ capabilities.
A big difference besides other stats would be the presentation of the stats. Sometimes the same stats are labeled differently on other modems, so that might involve some study to be able translate terms into Speedstream "speak". Nor do all modems list the tone bin info -- bit loads or tone bin noise margins.
If there are any specific modem operational quirks, you would be on your own as far as help here, e.g. ultra sensitivity to lightning induced line noise, etc. Chances are the other modems wouldn't have ACK prioritization if that is important to you, but that can be handled by the router (even the use of QoS to cripple/limit upload throughputs can be substituted) or at the OS level. |
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rmdir
join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL
| reply to left4dead
I have an SBC line, and tried a number of older modems and none had any significant improvement over the 4100. My Westell was slightly faster, but that could be due to transient issues such as line noise. I went back to the 4100 as I'm running it in bridge mode anyway. I'd say stick with the 4100 unless it's dying on you-why waste the money? |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA
| reply to d_l
Some of the stuff out there can be frustrating to work with. For example, the Netopia 3346N-002 doesn't give you a DMZ function- they have a "virtual DMZ". Since even the oldest/cheapest D-Link, Linksys, etc. router has a "real" DMZ, no clue as to why Netopia left this out.
Actiontecs have issues working with OpenDNS- have to use an external router to perform this function, or set the Actiontec up in bridge mode.
Isn't the ACK prioritization a function of the TI chipset? If so, then I would expect any TI-based modem to have this feature (unless the manufacturer somehow disabled it in the firmware). |
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d_l
Barsoom
Premium,MVM
join:2002-12-08
Reno, NV
| Yes it is, but I think most manufacturers disable it. Certainly the generic 4100/4200 modem doesn't have it. You can take an AT&T 4100 modem, flash it with a generic firmware, and you will lose the ACK prioritization. It's been done before.
The memory normally used to buffer uploads and allow the ACK traffic re-ordering apparently is then used to expand the NAT tables (the modem still uses NAT tables even though it is in DMZ mode). The expanded NAT tables allow more sessions at one time. The chipset doesn't have enough memory to do ACK prioritization AND handle all the simultaneous sessions the P2P users/gamers want. It is a trade off between the two competing demands.
The Bellsouth version Westell 6100 modem once came out with ACK prioritization and along the way they pushed out a firmware upgrade that removed it. |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | Interesting. |
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Short Stuff
@pfizer.com | reply to left4dead
I found a Siemens Speedstream 4100 modem, is this the same thing as the Motorola Speedstream 4100? |
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jfeise
join:2009-03-27
Santa Ana, CA
| said by Short Stuff :
I found a Siemens Speedstream 4100 modem, is this the same thing as the Motorola Speedstream 4100?
The Speedstream 4100 actually comes from Siemens. There is no Motorola Speedstream. I guess the OP misspoke.
The DSL modem that AT&T nowadays uses is the Motorola/Netopia 2210. |
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