ARRIS/SURFboard → Re: SB5101 Research

is anyone else having speed problems with their 5101s?

At work, we are seeing nothing but speed problems with these, replace with a 5100, and they're off and running.

I wonder if its a firmware we are using, or the modem in general, but so far i do not like it

Thus far, the 5101s are not very main stream. Only a few ISPs are distributing them. This research thread has not generated enough info. to make an assumption. If you could, can you check your firmware versions and post them. Hopefully when they do become more common place, this thread will provide enough evaluation info. to help.

heres a few

HW_REV: 1; VENDOR: Motorola Corporation; BOOTR: 2164; SW_REV: SB5101-2.4.1.3-SCM00-NOSH; MODEL: SB5101

That one is having speed problems even though it is on a seperate blade on the CMTS (its set at 8x1.5, and it gets 4x1.4) using an sb5100 on the same line, i get the full 8

Another one:

HW_REV: 1; VENDOR: Motorola Corporation; BOOTR: 2164; SW_REV: SB5101-2.4.1.1-SCM14-NOSH; MODEL: SB5101

Those are the two firmwares we have distributed, since I was looking at a handful of them, and it was either 2.4.1.3 or 2.4.1.1

as far as i know, its either hit or miss with the problems, but there are quite a few hits, and quite a few replacements that have been happening.

So you have the 2.4.1.3! This is definetely a 5101 & not a 5101e?

right on the front it just says SB5101

am i not supposed to have 2.4.1.3?

i was browsing our provisioning server, we have 426 5101s out there right now (just searching by MAC ID 00:12:25:84)

I dont know what the other range (if any) is out there for a 5101, does you MAC start with 00:12:25:84 as well?

That firmware is new to me. Since I hadn't seen it before, I was assuming it was for the 5101e I encountered. It must be the latest.

I have the 2.4.1.1 and my MAC starts with: 00140.......

searching with 00140 pulled up 384 more results

horray for having almost 900 of these crappy things out there.

thats gonna generate 100+ service calls in the next month at this rate

im curious, im gonna go grab a 2.4.1.1 modem and see if i have the same problems on this line (if i can find one thats not sealed)

Can you find out this info:
Hardware Version:
MIB Version:
GUI Version:

This is mine:
Hardware Version: 1
MIB Version: II
GUI Version: 1.0

The problem with firmware is that the ISP has the only option to push it. In fact I've repeatedly tried to inquire about the 5101 from Motorola with much resistance and lack of knowledge.

The 2.4.1.3 version is the same:

Hardware Version: 1
MIB Version: II
GUI Version: 1.0

Cool! So were strictly looking at firmware here.

Edit: I see you work for Metrocast. So if you start to see issues with the 2.4.1.3, you have the capability to get the 2.4.1.1 from Motorola & test/push it.

Nope, my 5101 has seen +1MB/s transfer rates...yep, you got that right...or +8Mb/s for those of you in the mine is bigger than yours world (...bestbuy anyone :P )

Oh, and here's my modem stats, along with the ones from Motorola's website, just for those of you who don't have the patience to look it up...

Mine:
Downstream Value
Frequency 399 MHz
Signal To Noise Ratio 35.6 dB
Power Level 0.6 dBmV
The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading

Upstream Value
Frequency 36 MHz
Power 47.0 dBmV

Motorolas:
(sorry, couldn't copy and paste this one...it's a .pdf and I didn't want to download a .pdf writer software)

Downstream Value
Frequency 88-860 MHz (+/- 30kHz)
Signal To Noise Ratio ? dB
Power Level -15 to +15 dBmV

Upstream Value
Frequency ? Hz
Power ? dBmV

*Note: "?" above denotes that motorolas .pdf at »distributor.livas.lv/Mot ··· view.pdf
does not show those values.

Just a final note, my average download speed (from a capable file provider) is between 600kB/s to 1.2MB/s (or 4.8Mb/s, and 9.6Mb/s). It seems that this varies with the time of day (not because of my end, but because of the file providers end), and the quality of the file provider (i.e. Microsoft vs. fileplanet).

Thats cool

but what version are you running?

We're still having problems with MOST of the 5101's in our network. Recently we have had a change of management, so its not in my area anymore, but I would still like to know.

Seems like most of our customers have

SB5101-2.4.1.1-SCM14-NOSH

Although, a few have

SB5101-2.4.1.6-SCM02-NOSH

I dont care, as long as I have my trusty 5100

Why hasn't Metrocast updated the modems running 2.4.1.1, knowing the lock-up issues?

I'm a Metrocast Customer in Lexington Park, Maryland. I've got SB5101-2.4.1.1-SCM14-NOSH and have been having problems for several months. Besides lockups my download speeds vary tremendously! I only get close to the advertised 4000 kbps during the early morning hours. Afternoon and evening hours my download speeds are between 395 to 900 kbps! My log page shows allot of the following entries:

2005-12-13 06:04:00 3-Critical R005.0 Started Unicast Maintenance Ranging - No Response received - T3 time-out

1970-01-01 00:00:14 3-Critical D003.0 DHCP WARNING - Non-critical field invalid in response

2005-12-10 22:07:33 3-Critical D005.0 TFTP failed - request sent - No Response

1970-01-01 00:00:29 3-Critical T001.0 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire QAM/QPSK symbol timing

1970-01-01 00:00:29 3-Critical T002.0 SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing

Frequency 117000000 Hz

Signal To Noise Ratio 30.6 dB

Power Level 5.6 dBmV
The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading
Channel ID 2
Frequency 26992000 Hz
Power 37.8 dBmV

I've called and emailed Metrocast Tech Support several times providing this information but they have not responded other than acknowledge there is a problem.

Can anyone provide comment on my power levels and log messages. Is the problem the Modem or something upstream?

Cal

Read this: »Adelphia High Speed Internet »FAQ: Acceptable cable modem signal levels.

You do have a firmware/software issue. They need to update your firmware or swap it for a modem that has a newer version. If they won't, consider buying your own.

thats such a good question

:shrugs:

it was supposed to be done, but like i said, thats in another area, so all i can do is just pass the word along......

and just to confirm, i do see quite a bit of 2.4.1.1 out there, joy.

edit: N3CAL's going to be a bit different to handle. We recently acquired properties in the Maryland area, and right now, hes not hooked up to our system up here. N3CAL, I would try going to a local office and swap out that modem for a 5100 if they have one. If they dont, try for at least a 4100, cause those are just as reliable as the 5100.

Also, what number have you been calling for support?

Update,

My speed issues have gotten worse over the last month.
Here is an average test result during the day:

Last Result: 14 Jan 2006 @ 1:34 PM
Download Speed: 362 kbps (45.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 358 kbps (44.8 KB/sec transfer rate)

After several phone calls into Metrocast they sent out another Tech to my home today. The signal levels are still all very good. The Tech acknowledged a county wide problem (Head End). He told me they were getting ready to add another "UBR" to the system.

After letting him read this post he brought in another SB5101. The replacement 5101 has the following software version:

Software Version: SB5101-2.4.1.5-SCM01-NOSH
Hardware Version: 1
MIB Version: II
GUI Version: 1.0

After replacing the modem the speed results are a bit better:

Last Result:
Download Speed: 1187 kbps (148.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 356 kbps (44.5 KB/sec transfer rate)

But I still need to wait for improvements in Metrocast's Head End! Hope it doesn't take too long!

Cal

How are your signal levels?

Frequency 117000000 Hz
Signal To Noise Ratio 30.2 dB
Power Level 5.3 dBmV
The Downstream Power Level reading is a snapshot taken at the time this page was requested. Please Reload/Refresh this Page for a new reading
Channel ID 2
Frequency 26992000 Hz
Power 40.3 dBmV

Your signal levels are within acceptable ranges, but your SNR is on the low side.

»Adelphia High Speed Internet »FAQ: Acceptable cable modem signal levels.