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Forum Discussion
Question regarding Netgear Nighthawk Modem/Router combo with Spectrum service
Hello all!
First post and I'm quite perplexed about a situation that has happened to me.
I recently bought a house and had to frantically set up internet so that I might still be able to work from home rather than going into the office. However, my Nighthawk AC1750 WiFi Modem/Router (C6300v2) cannot have it's firmware changed/updated to the Spectrum approved firmware version (current firmware V1.03.04) V1.02.09 through NetGear OR Spectrum. The technician from Spectrum specified that I would have to contact Netgear to update my firmware since they don't own the modem/router, and Netgear support said that Spectrum would have to update the firmware.
Will this cause issues with my internet connectivity while I am working from home, gaming, or streaming? What solutions can you all offer to me? I originally purchased a router but then realized my mistake of not purchasing a modem, much to my dismay. Thanks in advance!
4 Replies
- Usually, the ISP is in control of the firmware provided you use an approved device by them.
If you have no problems at the moment with your current firmware, there's little point in updating it. Unless it fixes security issues
jintogens wrote:
The technician from Spectrum specified that I would have to contact Netgear to update my firmware since they don't own the modem/router, and Netgear support said that Spectrum would have to update the firmware.
Yet another ISP technician who does not know what they are talking about. As microchip8 says, the firmware is in the hands of your ISP. Netgear makes it available to them and they decide when, or if, to pass it on to users.
both michaelkenward and microchip8 are right. Netgear doesn't update the firmware. Its pushed when spectrum provisions your modem.
But you said you already bought a router? What router did you buy? Not sure when spectrum plans on it but currently, they aren't charging to rent modems. So you could go modem---->router and might have a better setup (as the C6300 is getting a bit older and isn't docsis 3.1)
plemans wrote:
So you could go modem---->router and might have a better setup (as the C6300 is getting a bit older and isn't docsis 3.1)
I thought of throwing that idea into the mix.
It is the preferred (by people who like to control their networks) option. It lets you buy a router with far more features and options than the combo options. And you can change either bit of the chain depending on your Internet technology.
Switch from cable to full optical, for example, and you can keep the router and connect to the Optical Network Terminator (ONT). Unlike DSL combos, cable modem/routers don't seem to have a "router only" option.
