Hi All,
I hope you’re all are having a good day.
I’m looking for a new Modem and Router to purchase. In 3 weeks I need to have new cable equipment to keep my “discount”. This search has been very stressful and I need to stop to keep my sanity.
The problem I’m having is this is very confusing info about all 3 products. Yes, I can get around in setting up a router easily enough (been doing it since 1996), but the options and the pluses and minuses of new equipment literally make my head spin. (this search makes me have a literal panic attack!)
While researching I read things like “networking degrades over time”, “runs hot”, “very bad tech support” lots of other scary things. Quite simply, I need help, please.
My system’s currently feature windows 7 64bit SP1. Laptops are something (different) I personally don’t use them for many reasons. (Wifi being one)
I DO know what I want, not want, and don’t care about.
Prices for each should be in the $70 to $180 range.
Probably NO to a Gateway (Modem / Router combo) as I don’t see much advantage to a gateway and worry that Comcast will play around with it. Force updates to limit my access?
If I’m wrong please let me know (with reasons if possible but not needed).
— Modem —
1 – MUST work with Comcast’s Xfinity. *sigh*
2 – Must be reliable (be around for 4+ years) and have ability to update firmware.
3 – Should have voice (land line / phone line) support though this isn’t of greatest importance.
4 – NO to smartphone “app” only interface. Should have an easy to access interface, like from a real computer with an Ethernet connection. If it’s an “app” connection it should also have real computer access (ex: https://192.168.x.x). No WiFi only.
5 – Must… Since this looks like a “thing” support windows 7 thru 10 and all forms of Linux, as I’m migrating away from the evil MS madness to Linux.
6 – DOCSYS. Which ever version also works with Comcast/Xfinity, WOW, Starlink and other versions of DOCSYS 3.x ? (Head scratches and makes Scooby Doo “roh roh” sound)
7 – Should have internal battery backup though I can live without it, probably. (Expensive?)
— Router —
1 – MUST be reliable (6+ years) and reasonably priced with update-able firmware / software.
2 – Must seamlessly interface with Modem.
3 – Must have support for Win 7, 10 and all flavors of Linux (If this is a real thing? I saw one Router say it only supports Debian versions of Linux. Wwwhhah? Roh roh! Is this a troll?) My move to Linux continues.
4 – Must have at least 4, and up to 8 or more DSL Ethernet ports (4 is a minimum as this is what’s used now I don’t trust WiFi and it’s only ever mildly used here. Guest smartphones and laptops, Nest, etc.)
5 – Must have 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz Wifi radios, for those times that WiFi is just needed.
6 – NO to smartphone “app” only interface. Should have an easy to access interface, like from a real computer with an Ethernet connection. IF it’s an “app” connection it should have real computer access also. And not WiFi only.
7 – Should have: Decent (non childish) interface. The standard Comcast / Xfinity interface is just annoying, confusing and stupid.
8 – Must have firewall, port forwarding, etc. All the normal Router functions that have been around forever. Those I can easily deal with.
9 – *Should* have variable power for WiFi radios. I don’t need WiFi screaming at 100%, I’m sitting next to this box. *shivers* This is a feature I had seen in an AT&T gateway I had for a while.
10 – NO to Google, Amazon or other big brother controls or features.
11 – If this is an option, Should have internal battery backup though I can live without it.
12 – IPV4 and IPV6 of course.
Thank you to anyone who takes on the challenge and anyone who shares their input and experiences.
Best regards,
Gary
“So shines a good deed in a weary world.” - Willy Wonka