riverrat56
join:2008-02-11
Murphy, NC
| should consider changing from CATV to fiber
I currently am using my cable tv company (small W. NC) for my internet.
I am considering a fiber optic offering by Blue Ridge EMC. Initially they are offering internet. Very soon they will be offering Cable TV and phone.
My reason for switching is the erratic nature of my internet connection. I have a Motorola SB5101 Surfboard cable modem (which I bought to try to help improve my connection), a Linksys Router / 8 port switch BERSR81 8 port Version 3.0. All UTP goes from user locations in the house to a central cat5 patch panel where I administer use as phone or data. 5 PC's -- 2 XP Pro, 2 XP Home, 1 Linux Mandriva 2008 Spring Edition
The trouble I am having is:
1 dropping speeds as users sign on
2 dropping connections for internet connections
I believe the reason for these drops is the erratic nature of the amplfiers levels for the CATV system which occasionally resets either as routine or because of the amps levels dropping to low. I believe this causes my home network (DHCP) to reset and reissues IP addresses which then causes PC to not connect.
Questions:
1 does this sound logical ( I have monitored the Cable Modem inputs, outputs, and error logs via 198.162.100.1)
2 Will a fiber optic system offer more stable connections or do they also routinely reissue IP addresses (I assume their amp (or whaterver their equilvalent is) levels are not at issue here as temps should not affect resistance of delivery media - fiber)
3 Should I consider setting up Static addresses for my home network ?
Thanks Hugh |
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tschmidt
Premium,MVM
join:2000-11-12
Milford, NH
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| While I'm a big fan of fiber to the home the reality is your customer experience has more to do with local service provider then underlying technology.
To answer specific questions:
1) Check with your CATV provider. DOCSIS modems are more sensitive to level then TV. That is why they are connected directly to 1:2 splitter then any TVs after that. If problem is due to low level rather then node congestion have your Cableco check it out.
2) Fiber should be more stable since there is no copper involved. Keep in mind if ISP oversells back haul you may still experience peak time slowdowns.
3) Unless you are running a public server of some sort there is no reason to spend extra for static IP allocation.
/tom |
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riverrat56
join:2008-02-11
Murphy, NC
| reply to riverrat56
Thanks for responding to my post Tom.
My provider does not seem be very "on top" of this issue. I have complained about dropping connections (Internet).
I am also seeing nighttime variations in signal (TV). I do not expect any solutions on this. I already replaced my Surfboard 4220 cable modem with a 5101 to no avail.
At this moment I am trying to look at the fiber ( for which I have a background). I would like to know more about the pieces of equipment at the entry and what they call a Hydra box.
Regarding the Static addresses, I'm not talking about the connection with my ISP. I thinking that if I assign Static addresses to my internal (home) network that even if I can't get the fiber solution at this time that maybe if their amp levels are so squirrely maybe assigning static addresses with stop my Linksys BERSR81 router/switch from trying to re assign addresses for my network everytime the CATV amp hiccups. I'm not the sharpest on the very technical details. Any help much appreciated. sorry about the novel
Hugh |
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CrashD1n3r
Premium
join:2004-04-08
·Bell Sympatico
 ·Videotron
| Just a side note, the catv amplifiers does not reset for routine checks and such. They are ran 24/7 until it break down or there is network modifications. If the problem reside on the network, neighboors should have the same problem as you. If they do not, then the problem is in your house. |
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