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Do Standalone Modems Even Exist Anymore?
So, only ISPs can control the firmware on our all-in-one Modem+Router devices. Alright, as bizarre and upsetting as that is, I obviously have no choice, but to accept that.
Okay, so the solution is to have a separate modem and a separate router. I'll bite, but how?
I remember in the old days, that was the standard, but now... virtually all the options out there are a single device.
Is the trick to just think of modems+routers as modems only, disable the router part in the admin, and then connect an additional, separate, but most importantly, router-only router?
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PS: And are the days of doing this nearing an end? Are ISPs pushing to eventually not allow us control over our internet devices, period?
ALL Cable modems are bound to ISP and get upated by ISPs only. NGs CAX series gateways are ones that users CAN update the ROUTER portion of the modem, however, the modem portion still has to be updated BY the ISP. All other modems or gateway models are updated by the ISP only. There is no user FW update options.
You can do a search with in the DOCSIS Spec and policy if you want additional information as well.
11 Replies
ngconfused wrote:
Okay, so the solution is to have a separate modem and a separate router. I'll bite, but how?
I remember in the old days, that was the standard, but now... virtually all the options out there are a single device.
What do you mean by single device? Modem/router?
What sort of Internet?
There are plenty of modem only boxes for cable internet. Netgear is just one brand.
DSL is harder. Netgear and other brands have pulled out of that market for modems and modem/routers. One or two still exist.
So, only ISPs can control the firmware on our all-in-one Modem+Router devices.
Netgear, and maybe others, have started to make modem/routers with separate firmware for the router section. Users can update those.
Is the trick to just think of modems+routers as modems only, disable the router part in the admin, and then connect an additional, separate, but most importantly, router-only router?
That can cause problems, as I discovered using a DSL modem/router in modem-only mode.
Are ISPs pushing to eventually not allow us control over our internet devices, period?Seems like it. One linesman told me that his operation, OpenReach in the UK, had told ISPs to provide modem/router boxes.
michaelkenward wrote:
Netgear, and maybe others, have started to make modem/routers with separate firmware for the router section. Users can update those.
Yes! I was actually wondering about that. I think that's the sanest way forward for me. How to do identify which ones aren't beholden to ISPs and allow us to update the firmware ourselves? Is there anything in the marketing or specs language for the respective product that indicates this or is it something someone like yourself has to be savvy to?
Who's your isp?
Thats what makes the biggest difference as they're the ones who certify devices for their network.
Yes, there is pleany of stane alone modems.
NGs CM series are all stand alone modems.
FYI, It's a DOCSIS policy and spec that ALL cable ISPs are required now to update ISP and user owned modems. Been like this for years. I believe what kicked it all off was back then ISP sent untested or unchecked FW to user owned modems that bricked them. ISP ended up paying for replacements and were burned by this event. So to avoid this, ISPs have to now testing and certify ALL fw versions coming from modem mfrs BEFORE ISPs will push it.
FYI, It's a DOCSIS policy and spec that ALL cable ISPs are req[u]ired now to update ISP and user owned modems.
Why is everyone talking about cable modems?
ngconfused didn't talk about ISP technology. I did ask.
DSL may be a dying technology, but it has also gone down a similar road.
@michaelkenward wrote:
Netgear, and maybe others, have started to make modem/routers with separate firmware for the router section. Users can update those.
Yes! I was actually wondering about that. I think that's the sanest way forward for me. How to do identify which ones aren't beholden to ISPs and allow us to update the firmware ourselves? Is there anything in the marketing or specs language for the respective product that indicates this or is it something someone like yourself has to be savvy to?
