What is the point of modifying the firmware on your cable modem?

BigToque

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
11,700
0
76
I assume that changing the modem to use settings not in agreement with the TOS from your internet provider, they'll just terminate your service.

Other than giving you full access to all settings on the modem, what benefit does it provide to a user?
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Didn't we have an ATer go to jail for selling uncapped cable modems?
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,392
1,780
126
Well...one point of modifying the firmware of anything is to fix bugs. You see, many of the wonderful electronics we enjoy.....ok ALL OF THEM....were created by man, who is imperfect (not as imperfect as woman though). Therefore, they (the electronics) occasionally have problems and bugs are reported. Top programmers rush to the scene and debug thousands if not MILLIONS of lines of code and write a patch to fix the bugs. Then they roll them out in a firmware upgrade. This is usually denoted in the firmware version number by incrementing the last number of the version number by 1. (of course, sometimes they use letters instead)
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,874
10,677
147
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Well...one point of modifying the firmware of anything is to fix bugs.

Or to add or improve or sometimes even subtract features.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
Well...one point of modifying the firmware of anything is to fix bugs.

Or to add or improve or sometimes even subtract features.

Like config file encryption.

But hey, gotta support those legacy devices.