Mediacom → Cable modem reset? Why?

First: I work as an ISR for Mediacom in the Gulf Breeze call center. Been here about 4 or 5 months.

The question? Why do cable modems need to be reset periodically? I understand issues such as switching devices connected to them and it needing to clear out old information (Mac address, new IP?) But: If everything stays the same, should a cable modem need to be reset periodically?

I guess another question, why 30seconds? You would think, with electricity and it's near light speed, that the instant you unplug it, everything would be reset immediately. What is the 30seconds for?

Modems don't reset for no reason. My VoIP modem only resets when they push out a new firmware version or if I reset it manually. But my signal is VERY stable. If the modem has to do a lot of adjustments it will reset after a while.

30sec is not necessary but it's recommended, 5 sec is more than enough.

Talk to your coworkers at Tier2 and they will be able to explain a lot better because I am not familiar with all the procedures you guys do.

If circuit boards have capacitors then extra time can be necessary. Capacitors can hold a few seconds of electrical charge. 30 seconds is overkill but when a customer is instructed to do this it is better to have them disconnect power for too long rather than too short.

Wow...Posted from the office....I gaurantee you that you can get a better answer by walking over and asking...

Speak to a sup or lead. They can give you a better explanation of what happens when a modem is powered back up and initiates communication with the headend. There is quite a lot of information passed back and forth. Config files and the like. It is basically just a way to refresh all of the information that the modem has.

No better answer - just pretty much what was stated here. I guess let me re-state the question.

It's not about modems resetting on their own - it's about, "Why do they need to be reset periodically?". Like, a customer calls up, modem online, no internet. Let me reset modem first -> Internet works.

Why?

I understand updates, IP lease, etc. but even with all that - should the modem not aquire all that information on it's own? Why make a device that is BUILT to fail and have to be reset periodically.

It makes no sense.

I dont have to reset my microwave, don't need to reset my wrist watch every now and then - my TV doesn't need to be turned off periodically. My cell-phone never gets turned off, never resets.

Why does a modem have to?

That's one of few things you guys can do without sending a tech out. If the modem gets online, even for a short while, you guys can access the modem log and get the signal info.

Sometimes you guys provide that info on the work order (signal issue, number of flaps, low upstream SNR etc) and that helps.

Heh... no answer to the question at all? No one even addressing the question?

First person about how modems dont reset on their own (not the question I asked)

Next person addressed the 2nd question and answered, kudos

Third told me to ask a lead or sup? About what happens when a modem resets? ....... k

and last, someone letting me know that I am able to reset a modem.... lol?

/facepalm

Cable modems have an operating system such as VxWorks. People make the operating system. (read not perfect) My Motorola SB4200 originally had a bug that would allow a buffer overflow which would cause it to lock up. New firmware (read operating system) was eventually pushed by Mediacom to all SB4200 modems. Problem fixed. Never needs to be reset. Asking customers to reset the modem is simple and takes little time. It also can take the modem out of the equation when trouble shooting a connection problem. You have to start somewhere you know.
As for not having to reset appliances. Just wait until they get actual software in them instead of just hardwired chips and let the fun begin. Your refrigerator may accidentally place an order for NA beer instead of the real stuff when you are running low and you will have to explain to your friends how your POS refrigerator running Windows Vista has F@#%ed up again.
As for the 30 second thing. Components in electronics need to discharge. Like the other guy said about the capacitors, although 30 seconds is most likely overkill in most cases. Try flipping the power to your computer on and off rapidly and see what happens. j/k