Mediacom → Just installed a Linksys BEFCMU10 cable modem

Once I got it setup with Mediacom, I am impressed. For one thing, this has far better detail on its config page, and a log page (plus a system up time). It also tells you what the caps are, the modems ip, and various other handy to know stuff. Very impressed. It locked synch in 15 seconds (it usually took the RCA about 1 minute). Also another neat thing, as I have a router issuing 192.168.1.x address, the linky modem does not need your computer to be in the 192.168.100.x range (like the RCA did) to access the logs, so now I can access the cable logs without having to disconnect the router first. Been up for 30 minutes and it has not lost sync yet (the other one kept losing synch every 10 minutes or so, and 3 techs were not able to solve that one - so i replaced the modem with my own). So far, am impressed. Setting the modem up was simplicity itself with Mediacom.

Of course this has not solved the speed issues in Hazel Green (did not expect it to) .. but Billum is taking care of that, and so no worries there.
For those who are considering purchasing thier own modem, I'll keep you updated as a form of informal review.

I've heard some good things about this modem. Could you post a screenshot of the page showing the caps and the like? I've always wanted to see what it looks like. No pressure, of course!

I certainley will ..

Very nice! Those screen shots are filling me with raging jealousy!

You're signal levels are great!!!

How did you get that info from your modem? I also have a Linksys cable modem with a Linksys Router. I can get into the router setup via 192.168.1.1, how do I get into the modem?
For DavidJK, I dropped Bellsouth Fastaccess for Mediacom. They were to slow. After all the trouble shooting could only get 650k down here in Columbus.

Can I be dreaming? Is there another user from Columbus here???

Welcome, certainly hope you'll become a regular here. I'm tired of being the sole voice for Georgia! What speeds are you getting with your new connection?

Type in 192.168.100.1 in the address bar and it should bring up the modem info page.

Just type in 192.168.100.1 on the browsers address bar. If it does not connect, you might need to plug your modem directly into the computer, and remove the router temporarily. I had to do this with my RCA modem. However, with the Linksys modem I did not

Good lookin lines man!!! If you have any questions or issues, let me know!!

Thanks,
BILLUM

192.168.100.1 worked great! I'm impressed with the info available. Speeds here (my part of Columbus, GA) are always near the cap regardless of time of day. Just got 1482/121 from Linkline. Have been following this for forum for 6-8 weeks.

Glad to see that we were able to grab you from the lurkers! What area of Columbus? I'm off Whitesville Rd on Biggers Rd, 1 mile south of Smith Rd. Bellsouth DSL is about three miles away and creeping closer. It used to be over 8 miles away just two years ago! Doubt if I'll ever switch, since it's near impossible to get over 1300k on DSL.

Why didn't you go with Knology internet? Or is that a stupid question???

I'm just southeast of the airport (not by much). All utilities in this small subdivision are underground. I have both Knowlogy and Mediacom in my front yard. Was told by someone at work that Mediacom was more reliable as far as TV was concerned.

Shipped my adsl modem back to BellSouth and bought the Linksys cable modem in March. Seems like a good unit for $110.

Moved to Georgia from Korea in January after 11 years there. Had the telephone company adsl there, KORNET. 8Mb/640kB for less than $40/month. It was great and NEVER went down. The guys downloading mp3s went wild! I think all the copper pairs in Seoul were less than 5000 ft.

Sorry about getting off the topic.

This modem is a lot more stable than the RCA. My latest uptime since last resync: 12hr:39min:2sec

I get these errors a lot:

2002-04-28 17:20:31 warning Cable Lost FEC lock
2002-04-28 17:20:32 critical SYNC Timing Synchronization failure - Failed to acquire FEC framing

But I think the Linksys copes a lot better with them than the RCA. The RCA would resync ever 10 mins to an hour, but the linky just seems to ponder things for awhile, then move on (it does not pass or recieve traffic during about 3 seconds, which was the sign that the RCA would soon reset, but the linky does not reset). I have had one hard resync (modem resets itself) since yesterday, so that makes me happy.

Speeds still wishy washy though. But I'm sure we will solve that in due time

Thanks

Dewi

Is there a way I can tell if my modem is loosing synch? It's just the RCA DCM235 modem. I don't notice the modem lights ever going out and it's in my line of site while on the computer so I would think I would notice it. I did that time before they replaced my modem. I am curious if this is a problem all parts of Hazel Green that are having speed issues.

If your modem's lights don't indicate a loss of sync, then the modem logs certainly would. If you see a bunch of "shutting downstream down" or "Retrieved TFTP Config hsdRS1.cfg" messages, then there's your proof.

I've tried the 192.168.100.1 and I am unable to get into the RCA modem. I have disconnected it from my linksys router and shut down ZA but still no success. Is that the only place I can find the modem logs?

You have to set your computer (with the RCA) to be in the same subnet as the modem. So to access the logs, remove the router first .. go to network settings on your computer and specify a static IP address (click it off from dynamic). It won't work with the router installed as you cannot set a static route to pass thru a class C address to the WAN with the Linksys; so the router has to go temporarily. Set the ip on your computer to 192.168.100.3 and then you can access the modem diagnostics at 192.168.100.1 via explorer. To set your machine back to normal, go back to network settings, and set it back to obtains an IP address automatically (via dhcp).

The RCA does not keep logs you can access from your side of the modem. It has the standard page at 192.168.100.1 and a signal page at 192.168.100.1/moreinfo.htm

I could never find anything else

[text was edited by author 2002-04-28 18:13:20]

Well that doesn't tell much does it. At least I found out my signals.

Forward Path:
Signal Acquired at 620 MHz
SNR: 34.8 dB
Received Signal Strength: -1.0 dBmV
Micro-Reflections: 17 dBc
Modulation: 64 QAM

Return Path:
Connection: Acquired
Frequency: 31 MHz
Power Level: 53.0 dBmV
Channel ID: 5
Modulation: QPSK

SB, your upstream path is terribly strong! Your upstream should be between 35-55dBvM. When you get up towards the maximum signal levels like yours are, you start getting disconnects and pocket loss. Basically, your modem is having to "shout" as loud as it can to the node so it can be heard. Your downstream levels look very good, though.

Do you have any splitters in the line? Are they rated up to 1000MHz? Are the cable lines in your house RG-6, and in good condition? If you're having connectivity problems, you should check your lines up the tap. Any lines that are cracking, kinked, or have loose connections will cause your signal levels to get wild. Having too many splits or wrong type of splitter will also cause problems.

Also, have you reloaded Windows and reset your modem? *had to throw that one in*

The cables are relatively new, less than two years old. I'm on satellite for my tv and several years ago cut through my cable while planting a bush and never got around to replacing it until I got the modem. It's a new buried line to the pole and no splitters. The only break in the cable is where it meets the house and the cable installer put in a grounding splitter. From there is about 8 feet of cable going to the wall outlet that the modem connects to. The wall outlet is opposite the outside wall where the cable comes to the house.

You've got the optimal setup--no splits, just one dedicated run! The grounding block is mandatory, so there's no getting around that. As long as the connections there are tight, then there's nothing you can do except call tech support if you're having connection trouble.

That's why I was wondering about the loosing synch. Dewi mentioned he looses synch sometime and I don't ever notice if I get disconnected that's the reason for the log question. We live in the same town. Other than speeds, area problem not just me, my connection seems to be ok.

I was looking for one of these modems due to the good reports in this thread and whilst looking I ran across this:

3COM
4/30, 10:20 PM
ONLINE ORDER ONLY -
3Com OfficeConnect External CableModem, Retail box, 3CR29210 5yrs warranty by 3Com Direct 3Com 3CR2910 has same Features Toshiba PCX1100U, Motorola SB4100, SB4200 DCM245R, Linksys BEFCMU10 CableModem
(Part - 3CR29210)

There is about a $40 price difference between the 2.
If I can save some money and still have a great modem then great, but I do NOT want to sacrifice it for speed issues/connectivity so if anyone has any past experience with this 3com good or bad let me know please:)

I think, as long as they are DOCSIS 1.0 compliant there is not a whole lot of things different with them other than the consumer side diagnostics. Which is one of the reasons I bought the Linky (good diags). The other reason is that all my other networking hardware is linksys, and I like to stay at least with the same supplier if possible. This is more a habit of mine (TV, DVD, VHS all Sony for example).

WOULD NOT RECOMEND BUYING A 3COM!!! I have had a few people buy them due to the price, we have problems with them dropping connections and just up and dying on people. I had one guy who I was dealing with was going to buy a RCA (personal fav of mine) but he found a 3com along the same lines as the one you are looking at. I worked for 2 weeks with this guy over the phone trying to get it to go. Finally I had a tech go out and swap him for an RCA...30sec later..online. He sent the modem into 3com and they said that once the initial connection to an MSO is made, the warrantee is VOID!!! Beware of them!!

I should have known, you get what you pay for! I will go with the Linksys. $40 is nothing saved when you get constant headaches!

(besides, im not cheap.....really! Just less than rich for the moment:P)

You will be glad you didn't buy that thing!!!