Any benchmarks of cable modem hardware ?

I have comcast cable modem broadband. I have always assumed that the speed
would not vary much based on the specific cable modem hardware. Comcast
support also says they should all be the same speed.

However, I have tested a DLink DCM-200 cable modem compared to a Motorola
Surfboard SB5100. They are not the same. The Dlink is a few years old so I
expected the brand new Moto to be faster, but that is not the case.

I did more exhaustive testing, but for simplicity here is the comparison
using beelinebandwidthtest.com. With the Dlink I consistently yield 124K/s.
With the Moto, it was only 80K/s. In other words, the DLink download speed
was 50% greater. I tested it multiple times, changing only the modem. Same
computers, etc. I even went back and forth getting modems reactivated to the
exact same cable connection and the results were 100% consistent and
reproduceable I tested with several different computers, and tested both
with the cable modem directly attached to the computer as well as thru a
router. In every case, without fail, the results were very consistent with
the DLink smoking the Moto.

Now I never would have believed the brand of cable modem could make such a
difference. The comcast people also said they should be the same speed.
However, they admit they have no data and know of no empirical testing
bearing this out - only that it "should" be so.

I am now very confident that it is not so - that speeds vary significantly.
However, I dont have access to a whole bunch of different cable modems to
test. Does anyone know of any performance testing that has been done
comparing speeds of cable modems ?

(Before someone responds saying they should all be the same - which I would
have also said a week ago - I urge you to actually do some testing.)

-Regards




Tom Betters

Well lets look at the name of the newsgroup. It starts with "microsoft"
so that must mean we only talk about Microsoft products. Next it says
"public" so that means any person can post here. Then it says
"broadbandnet" so since this is a Microsoft newsgroup it must be talking
about the Microsoft Broadband Networking. Last but not least it says
"hardware" So that must mean it is the Microsoft hardware for networking
that we talk about.

Thus this is not a general networking newsgroup, but one for the
Microsoft Broadband networking hardware. I'd suggest either posting in
a newsgroup for the hardware you are running, a general networking
newsgroup, or one for whatever version of Windows you are running.

Tom Betters wrote:

> I have comcast cable modem broadband. I have always assumed that the speed
> would not vary much based on the specific cable modem hardware. Comcast
> support also says they should all be the same speed.
>
> However, I have tested a DLink DCM-200 cable modem compared to a Motorola
> Surfboard SB5100. They are not the same. The Dlink is a few years old so I
> expected the brand new Moto to be faster, but that is not the case.
>
> I did more exhaustive testing, but for simplicity here is the comparison
> using beelinebandwidthtest.com. With the Dlink I consistently yield 124K/s.
> With the Moto, it was only 80K/s. In other words, the DLink download speed
> was 50% greater. I tested it multiple times, changing only the modem. Same
> computers, etc. I even went back and forth getting modems reactivated to the
> exact same cable connection and the results were 100% consistent and
> reproduceable I tested with several different computers, and tested both
> with the cable modem directly attached to the computer as well as thru a
> router. In every case, without fail, the results were very consistent with
> the DLink smoking the Moto.
>
> Now I never would have believed the brand of cable modem could make such a
> difference. The comcast people also said they should be the same speed.
> However, they admit they have no data and know of no empirical testing
> bearing this out - only that it "should" be so.
>
> I am now very confident that it is not so - that speeds vary significantly.
> However, I dont have access to a whole bunch of different cable modems to
> test. Does anyone know of any performance testing that has been done
> comparing speeds of cable modems ?
>
> (Before someone responds saying they should all be the same - which I would
> have also said a week ago - I urge you to actually do some testing.)
>
> -Regards
>
>

--
Please do not contact me directly or ask me to contact you directly for
assistance.

If your question is worth asking, it's worth posting.

If it’s not worth posting you should have done a search on
http://www.google.com/ http://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en&tab=wg&q= or
http://news.google.com/froogle?hl=en&tab=nf&ned=us&q= before wasting our
time.

First, if this is not the right place - fine.

But its hardly unambiguous.

Microsoft: I am using an entirely Microsoft based LAN and networking
components within my LAN.
Public: Anyone
BroadbandNet: My issue is about broadband networking.
Hardware: My issue is hardware related.

Admittedly I did not realize the forum was exclusively microsoft hardware
related. But I am always amused why someone like you cannot graciously and
politely point out a misunderstanding, rather than resort to juvenile
sarcasm or worse. I think you will enjoy life more if you lighten up a
little.

try the forums on dslreports.com for this. (do some tracerts to the
identical place from behind each modem too).

On Fri, 22 Oct 2004 02:02:05 GMT, "Tom Betters"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>However, I have tested a DLink DCM-200 cable modem compared to a Motorola
>Surfboard SB5100. They are not the same. The Dlink is a few years old so I
>expected the brand new Moto to be faster, but that is not the case.

--
Barb Bowman
Expert Zone Columnist
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
MS-MVP (Windows)

i'll bet most of us in here have cable or dsl Joker, so the subject was
interesting for me, a nice change from the same 10 (why wont it work)
questions all the time
RC aka comcast surfboard modem boy



"Joker" <no-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Well lets look at the name of the newsgroup. It starts with "microsoft"
> so that must mean we only talk about Microsoft products. Next it says
> "public" so that means any person can post here. Then it says
> "broadbandnet" so since this is a Microsoft newsgroup it must be talking
> about the Microsoft Broadband Networking. Last but not least it says
> "hardware" So that must mean it is the Microsoft hardware for networking
> that we talk about.
>
> Thus this is not a general networking newsgroup, but one for the Microsoft
> Broadband networking hardware. I'd suggest either posting in a newsgroup
> for the hardware you are running, a general networking newsgroup, or one
> for whatever version of Windows you are running.
>
> Tom Betters wrote:
>
>> I have comcast cable modem broadband. I have always assumed that the
>> speed would not vary much based on the specific cable modem hardware.
>> Comcast support also says they should all be the same speed.
>>
>> However, I have tested a DLink DCM-200 cable modem compared to a Motorola
>> Surfboard SB5100. They are not the same. The Dlink is a few years old so
>> I expected the brand new Moto to be faster, but that is not the case.
>>
>> I did more exhaustive testing, but for simplicity here is the comparison
>> using beelinebandwidthtest.com. With the Dlink I consistently yield
>> 124K/s. With the Moto, it was only 80K/s. In other words, the DLink
>> download speed was 50% greater. I tested it multiple times, changing only
>> the modem. Same computers, etc. I even went back and forth getting modems
>> reactivated to the exact same cable connection and the results were 100%
>> consistent and reproduceable I tested with several different computers,
>> and tested both with the cable modem directly attached to the computer as
>> well as thru a router. In every case, without fail, the results were very
>> consistent with the DLink smoking the Moto.
>>
>> Now I never would have believed the brand of cable modem could make such
>> a difference. The comcast people also said they should be the same speed.
>> However, they admit they have no data and know of no empirical testing
>> bearing this out - only that it "should" be so.
>>
>> I am now very confident that it is not so - that speeds vary
>> significantly. However, I dont have access to a whole bunch of different
>> cable modems to test. Does anyone know of any performance testing that
>> has been done comparing speeds of cable modems ?
>>
>> (Before someone responds saying they should all be the same - which I
>> would have also said a week ago - I urge you to actually do some
>> testing.)
>>
>> -Regards
>
> --
> Please do not contact me directly or ask me to contact you directly for
> assistance.
>
> If your question is worth asking, it's worth posting.
>
> If it’s not worth posting you should have done a search on
> http://www.google.com/ http://www.google.com/grphp?hl=en&tab=wg&q= or
> http://news.google.com/froogle?hl=en&tab=nf&ned=us&q= before wasting our
> time.

Tom, Barb made a good suggestion, i highly recommend joining the
dslreports.com website, i'm very interested in the topic since i use the
comcast surfboard modem. They have a comcast forum i monitor amongst my few
fav ng's.
RC

"Tom Betters" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:xSZdd.406411$mD.148121@attbi_s02...
>I have comcast cable modem broadband. I have always assumed that the speed
>would not vary much based on the specific cable modem hardware. Comcast
>support also says they should all be the same speed.
>
> However, I have tested a DLink DCM-200 cable modem compared to a Motorola
> Surfboard SB5100. They are not the same. The Dlink is a few years old so I
> expected the brand new Moto to be faster, but that is not the case.
>
> I did more exhaustive testing, but for simplicity here is the comparison
> using beelinebandwidthtest.com. With the Dlink I consistently yield
> 124K/s. With the Moto, it was only 80K/s. In other words, the DLink
> download speed was 50% greater. I tested it multiple times, changing only
> the modem. Same computers, etc. I even went back and forth getting modems
> reactivated to the exact same cable connection and the results were 100%
> consistent and reproduceable I tested with several different computers,
> and tested both with the cable modem directly attached to the computer as
> well as thru a router. In every case, without fail, the results were very
> consistent with the DLink smoking the Moto.
>
> Now I never would have believed the brand of cable modem could make such a
> difference. The comcast people also said they should be the same speed.
> However, they admit they have no data and know of no empirical testing
> bearing this out - only that it "should" be so.
>
> I am now very confident that it is not so - that speeds vary
> significantly. However, I dont have access to a whole bunch of different
> cable modems to test. Does anyone know of any performance testing that has
> been done comparing speeds of cable modems ?
>
> (Before someone responds saying they should all be the same - which I
> would have also said a week ago - I urge you to actually do some testing.)
>
> -Regards
>

The point is this newsgroup supports Microsoft's Broadband Networking
hardware and software only, not generalized networking questions. There are
plenty of other areas, like Microsoft's networking newsgroups for specifics
by operating system, and some really good web sites like
www.practicallynetworked.com where general issues are discussed in depth.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


"RDC" <qwin@no_ thanks.net> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> i'll bet most of us in here have cable or dsl Joker, so the subject was
> interesting for me, a nice change from the same 10 (why wont it work)
> questions all the time
> RC aka comcast surfboard modem boy

point taken chris, and your absolutely right. But there's alot more polite
ways to relay that messege to people.
i'm of the opinion you should use the same manners to people on the
internet that you would use with them face to face.
RC







"Chris H." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> The point is this newsgroup supports Microsoft's Broadband Networking
> hardware and software only, not generalized networking questions. There
> are plenty of other areas, like Microsoft's networking newsgroups for
> specifics by operating system, and some really good web sites like
> www.practicallynetworked.com where general issues are discussed in depth.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
>
> "RDC" <qwin@no_ thanks.net> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> i'll bet most of us in here have cable or dsl Joker, so the subject was
>> interesting for me, a nice change from the same 10 (why wont it work)
>> questions all the time
>> RC aka comcast surfboard modem boy
>
>

I agree, but perhaps even more so since you cannot see a person's face. 8-)
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


"RDC" <qwin@no_ thanks.net> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> point taken chris, and your absolutely right. But there's alot more polite
> ways to relay that messege to people.
> i'm of the opinion you should use the same manners to people on the
> internet that you would use with them face to face.
> RC
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Chris H." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> The point is this newsgroup supports Microsoft's Broadband Networking
>> hardware and software only, not generalized networking questions. There
>> are plenty of other areas, like Microsoft's networking newsgroups for
>> specifics by operating system, and some really good web sites like
>> www.practicallynetworked.com where general issues are discussed in depth.
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>
>>
>> "RDC" <qwin@no_ thanks.net> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> i'll bet most of us in here have cable or dsl Joker, so the subject was
>>> interesting for me, a nice change from the same 10 (why wont it work)
>>> questions all the time
>>> RC aka comcast surfboard modem boy
>>
>>
>
>