Is it worth an upgrade?

[rappy]

Curently I have a Motorola Surfboard 4100 and Linksys WRT54G router. I've had them for a few years. They work fine, but my question is, can I/should I upgrade for more performance gain, security features, or anything else worth of spending the extra cash on either one? I am pretty lost while reading up on all the current featurs available today.

Thanks in advance,

Rappy

 

[JackMDS]

Keep your money for something else.

An older Linksys WRT54G is actually am asset since it takes the big DD-WRT Flush.

DD-WRT gives you all the newset "gimmicks".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WRT54G

Nothing is New in the Cable Modem Business.

Some of the newer stuff is not necessarily better, but rather comprise of creative designing in order to reduce cost.

 

[Mojonba]

Definately keep your WRT54G. It is one of the best consumer routers ever made. I recommend reading about the different third party firmware versions available for these routers to add features and increade stability.

Regarding your modem, the Motorola Sb4200 is DOCSIS 1.0 compliant which an old CableLabs spec, the newst being DOCSIS 2.0. You might want to compare these two specifications and evaluate if it is worthwhile to upgrade your modem. I've personally havent done enough research on the v2 vs v1 subject but I do remember reading that Comcast recommended Docsis 2.0 modems for the their packages "speeds" greater than 6mbps. I have also seen the motorola sb5120 modems (docsis v2) for around $40 which makes upgrading decision quite easier.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Mojonba1 I've personally havent done enough research on the v2 vs v1 subject but I do remember reading that Comcast recommended Docsis 2.0 modems for the their packages "speeds" greater than 6mbps. I have also seen the motorola sb5120 modems (docsis v2) for around $40 which makes upgrading decision quite easier.

However, is service works OK with what the OP has now, so what DOCSIS2 would do for him?

In addition, if in the future he would change to another service that might need some other gizmo (Not DOCSIS2), what would be the reason to spend money on something that would not do anything now, and might be useless in the future.

 

[Mojonba]

Jack, "If it works dont try to fix it" and "dont upgrade and wait for what the future will bring" mentatility might work for many but for the more technically orientated it is a boring way to stay behind and miss the great oppurtunities and advantages of science. 🙂

I repeat I havent really researched the practical advantages of Docsis 2.0 over 1.0 in current cable modem applications and thats why I am suggesting the OP to do his own research, but first Im letting him know the shortcomings of his modem at least specwise.

 

[JackMDS]

LOL, I guess that my post graduate degree in electronic engineering does Not qualify as being technically orientated.:shocked:

As for Science, for last 30 years I do not keep up with science, I professionally make science. Others unusually work hard to keep with me.:thumbsup:

 

[InlineFive]

Unless your cable modem is dropping packets I wouldn't bother upgrading.
Unless your router is crumbling under the stress of Torrents I wouldn't bother upgrading.

 

[Baldy18]

Actually that cable modem is DOCSIS 1.1 compliant. However, that really doesn't mean anything right now. I'm not sure about other providers but Comcast is only recently started using DOCSIS 1.1 when or just before the introduced the PowerBoost technology. They started actively getting rid of DOCSIS 1.0 modems about 2 years ago. Knowing them it will be a while before they go to DOCSIS 2.0 (DOCSIS 1.1 came out in 1999). This is taken from the Comcast.net FAQ section:

Will PowerBoost work with all customers' modems?
Comcast PowerBoost technology is compatible with DOCSIS 1.1 cable modems and above. DOCSIS 1.1 cable modems have been in mass-production for the last four years. PowerBoost is also compatible with Comcast certified home networking devices and Comcast voice eMTAs (combination modem and phone adapter with battery back-up).