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Tutor

May 02, 2020

Solved

Cable Modem 1000 (CM1000) Port configuration

Everything was working for over a year: Two weeks ago, my AT&T MicroCell (white) stopped communicating (3G) with my Iphone and now the signal "bar" light is flashing red (supposed to be steady green...

plemans
May 04, 2020
JimG2828 wrote:

Now, I guess the question is that if or if not my CM1000 modem has the latest update and how - if my internet provider isn't going to update it - how can I first determin the firm ware verison and if it not the latest - how to manually update it?

But thanks for the asistance on the microcell issue!!! . Fixed!!
Glad you got it working.
Sadly you can't update the firmware on the modem. Its locked and not user upgradeable. Only the isp's can update modems.

FURRYe38

Guru - Experienced User

May 04, 2020

I recommend putting the ATT Microcell into your R8000 routers DMZ. Some routers can effect how the microcell communicates with ATT services. This what I have done with mine since getting it years ago. Avoids having to configure ports.

Be aware that ATT is not supporting there microcell. Saw an article about this. Not sure if they are going to put out something else for 5G. There are other microcell mfrs that support ATT services.

JimG2828 wrote:
Everything was working for over a year: Two weeks ago, my AT&T MicroCell (white) stopped communicating (3G) with my Iphone and now the signal "bar" light is flashing red (supposed to be steady green). All other lights on the MicroCell are normal green and of course I have rebooted everything several times.

I have WOW internet service provider connected to a NetGear CM1000 cable modem connected to a R8000 NightHawk X6 (AC3200) WiFi Router connected to a NightHawk AX8 WiFi Mesh Extender.

I called AT&T: They ran a port test via this link:
https://www.yougetsignal.com/tools/open-ports/

They noted that my cable modem (CM1000) has these ports "closed": 123, 443, 500,4500 and they need to be "Open":

NOTE: All ports listed need to be configured for inbound and outbound connections.
123/UDP: NTP timing (NTP traffic)
443/TCP: Https over TLS/SSL for provisioning and management traffic
4500/UDP: IPSec NAT Traversal (for all signaling, data, voice traffic)
500/UDP: IPSec Phase 1 prior to NAT detection (after NAT detection, 4500/UDP is used)
4500/UDP: After NAT detection, 4500/UDP is used

They said it is a WOW (my internet provider) issue and I am to call them to have them re-configure the ports correctly. They indicated that WOW must of had an update for my modem (Updates to the modem are their responsibility) and that may be why the port configurtion changed two weeks ago. (Note: Actually, as an owner and user I can't updated the firmware on my CM1000 - even the Netgear docs state this. Only the Internet service provider can do updates to cable modems.)

I called WOW tec support: They said that as I own the moden - not rented from them at $10 a month - that they have no responsibility or way to do anything with my CM1000 configuration. Even thought they do "push" firmware updates to the modem - they will not service it in any way. They said to go to Netgear.

I see no way in my Netgear docs or on line for me to "log on" to my CM1000 cable modem to change any of the configurations - like we can and normally do for routers and Mesh extenders. (example: Genni or Netgear App, etc)

Help: How do I "Log On" to my CM1000 and change the ports: 123, 443, 500,4500 from "Closed" to "Open"?

Thanks jim George

JimG2828
Tutor
May 04, 2020
I think you are correct that AT&T is "retiring" all the old 3G MicroCells as when I called their tec support, all they wanted to do is tell me to just configue my Iphone for WiFi connection and to remove the microcell. Not sure what the difference is to the end user: - that is -calling via WiFi or Microcell? If it is the same, then I will just eliminate the MicroCell. One less turn in the plumbing!!

As all is operating fine again now - I will just leave it until it stops again and just go WiFi. And at that time - I will first try your DMZ option.

I am very supprised that as an owner of a NetGear modem, I can't update its firmware?? Or even be able to tell waht firmware version it is operating with?

I have what I beleive is a good set up: I have a 1000 Gigabite service from WOW (my ISP) which is very fast - connected to my NetGear CM1000 cable modem connected to a R8000 NightHawk X6 (AC3200) WiFi Router connected to a NightHawk AX8 WiFi Mesh Extender. My Modem and Mesh extender are the latest but my router is my next upgrade as I beleive the newer routers work better (faster or more band width) with the new generation of Mesh extenders.

I do have a strange issue with the Mesh extender which is on the other side of my home from the router (thus the need for the extender). The Mesh extender is sitting next to my home entertainment system. If I connect the home entertainment components (four items) directly to the Mesh extender via internet cables - everything slows down - movies pause while loading - or I get a failed internet connection warning. But, if I unplug all the cables and just let the compoents connect via WiFi - everything works fine?? I would "think" using the cable connections would be a lot better but it is not??

I am "thinkg" that a newer generation router, that was designed to work with the AX8 Mesh extender, would solve this??

Also, my network hard drive connected to my router has stopped responding to my searches and now that the Genie desktop application - which used to keep it working - is not supported - and the Iphone App doesn't address this - I again think it is time for a newer generation router??

Thanks for all the good advice!
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  May 04, 2020
  What the microcell does is kind of works like a repeater for the cell signal for a phone carrier. Some people may live on the fringes of cell signal services thus making signals for cell phones with in the home bad and phones have bad operations with the signal. For me this is the case since it's either a earthen hill that maybe blocking cell signal from a tower which isnt' too far down the road from where I live or that may not be an ATT tower and the area I live in for ATT just has bad coverage. Been like this since cell service went in for ATT years ago. Verizon seems to have better coverage though here in this area I live in. So the microcell just takes the signal and helps it with in the home. The cell service is still used in this configuration.
  
  For WiFi connect, then the voice is sent over IP thru your home wifi router and ISP services, i.e. VoIP kind of format. Thus the voice and data are sent thru the ISP service vs cell service, when you phone is connected and configured for wifi calling use.
  
  There are caveats to this though, if the ISP service, ISP modem or home wifi router does down or fails, then all wifi calling and such when connected to the home network will not work. The ATT microcell will also fail here as well as it still requires interet services to work fully, however, if the router portion of the home router still works and the wifi radios on the home router fail, then the ATT microcell will still keep working. As long as the ISP service and modem are still working. Otherwise, all these fail then the microcell and wifi calling will also fail.
  
  I'm still using the first generation microcell here and still works great. I guess once 5G will be come the new norm, not sure if the microcell will be supportive of it or i'll have to go get a 3rd party microcell to install as we need good cell service here in the area I live in.
  
  When it comes to cable modems, most stand alone modems are not FW upgradable by users. ISPs keep this operation to there uses. ISP needs to test and make sure FW coming from modem mfrs like NG, work on there networks first before pushing out to users modems. Some ISPs don't even update user owned modems. Something to be aware of.
  
  Whats the distance between the R series router and this mesh extender? 30 feet is recommended in between router and extender to begin with depending upon building materials when wirelessly connected.
  
  IF your using a R8000 router, a matching extender would be the EX8000. The AX extender may handle the router however you may not be using it fully to its potential since it supports AX mode and your R8000 only supports AC mode.
- plemans
  Guru - Experienced User
  May 04, 2020
  Which extender are you using?
  and you put that you have it "all the way on the other side of the house by the entertainment center".
  Extenders work best if they're at a point halfway between where you need service and don't have service. Reason why is they need a good signal to function off to properly work.
  Also, if you're using a dual band extender (or single band) in standard mode, you loose about 50% of your bandwidth because they receive and have to retransmit. At times its much better to centrally locate a router than it is to add an extender.
  the tribands mitigate that somewhat but you still need to be halfway close so they have a decent signal
  - JimG2828
    Tutor
    May 04, 2020
    Thanks for all the information. I am like you with AT&T - on the other side of the hill from the closest tower. In my home, I get only one little bar of signal strength. And that is if I hold and turn my Iphone a certin way. needless to say - I get a lot of dropped calls and as a Yacht salesperson - this is not conducsive to sales! AT&T sent me the 3G (white) MicorCell for free and it solved the issue - when it was working. Well it is working now so I wil let it be until next failure.
    
    As to my Mesh extender - it is the latest 8-Stream WiFi Mesh Extender Netgear NightHawk AX8 (Model EAX80). My Router is a tri band NightHawk X6 (AC3200, Model R8000). It was the latest and greatest a couple of years ago when I bought it - just as is all of the stuff I buy. My model is also the Netgear top of the line CM1000 Ultra-High Speed Cable Modem - DOCSIS 3.1 capable of 1000 Gbps download speeds. (32 down load & 8 Upstream channels) It is connected to my router via a Gigabit Ethernet port. My ISP (WOW) contract is also for 1000 Gigabit speed and it sometings get faster on the internet based speed checking apps. So, I have good serive to the house and to my router. The AX8 Mesh extender is also reated to over 1000 Gigabit speeds over multiple channels.
    
    My weak point is therefor the middel unit - my Router - being two years old technology.
    
    My home entertain system is top of the line (All Sony) 4K video TV, two 4K & 3D CD players and a bose 650 home therater sound system. It all takes a lot of gigs to keep it running without stopping to spool internet video. Of course we have a fully smart home with everything (security camers, door locks, enviromental HVAC, all handshaking via WiFi, two grand kids with all their gaming toys.
    
    I had been runing everything via the Router alone but with more 4K movies being avialable, I noticed spooling. As the AX8 Mesh extender also gives you 4 hard wire either net access ports in addition to extending your WiFi, I ran out and bought one (actually was on the 6 month waiting list to get one as they hadn't been released yet) so to hook all the home theater boxes up to it. Great plan but bad implementaion. Things worked slower with the hard wire hook up then just using the extended WiFi signals.
    
    I beleive I was told that if I purchased a newer generation rought that it has a seperate high speed channel to "talk" with the Mesh extender and therefor doesn't slow down the Wifi with two way trafic????
    
    Jim