Internet Shenanigans

[Wingdings#mlgdong]

Not really much of a troubleshoot, but a worthy question nonetheless... actually more of a random one lol. Anyway, I have comcast internet, and I use their modem as a bridge for my Nighthawk (probably overkill) x6 router. Because our internet (regardless of the router) is generally trash, I contacted comcast and they sent me a new modem. The question is, if im using my modem as a bridge, will it have any positive effect on my internet speeds if i swap the current modem with a "nicer" one? Or should i just not even bother changing the modem and use the new one as a spare or backup?

Thanks!

ps im probably using the forums wrong so pls forgive

[Taswell]

If the service they Provide is trash then i would switch Internet Providers.

 

Before you go around switching stuff run a bunch of ping and tracerts to see what the path to you internet looks like.

 

If you ping /t google you should see an average connection time of 30-50 Ms if you see a bunch of time outs then either yes your modem is flaky or comcast is shit a routing traffic.

 

the way you figure this out is by running a tracert on the same address and see if where the Longest ping comes from then comcast traffic hubs will end in XXXX.comcast.net or something similar 

 

if this comes back clean with low numbers across the board a couple times  then the modem/router is the problem.

 

If you get weird results always try to replicate it. This proves you know what the problem is. Its all just troubleshooting.

[Lolucoca]

You're still using a MODEM? Get a real internet plan, or your bandwith SHOULD be limited to 56kBit/s... A high-end-router is worthless in such a situation...

[Wingdings#mlgdong]

You're still using a MODEM? Get a real internet plan, or your bandwith SHOULD be limited to 56kBit/s... A high-end-router is worthless in such a situation...

Look, I'm a sophmore in hs lol so I dont control the Internet plans at my house. what do you mean by a real internet plan?

[Taswell]

 

You're still using a MODEM? Get a real internet plan, or your bandwith SHOULD be limited to 56kBit/s... A high-end-router is worthless in such a situation...

Theres no way your that dumb.....

 

I would love to hear you explain Cable modems then

 

(Hes talking about 56K dial up modems if you don't know already.)

[Wingdings#mlgdong]

If the service they Provide is trash then i would switch Internet Providers.

 

Before you go around switching stuff run a bunch of ping and tracerts to see what the path to you internet looks like.

 

If you ping /t google you should see an average connection time of 30-50 Ms if you see a bunch of time outs then either yes your modem is flaky or comcast is shit a routing traffic.

 

the way you figure this out is by running a tracert on the same address and see if where the Longest ping comes from then comcast traffic hubs will end in XXXX.comcast.net or something similar 

 

if this comes back clean with low numbers across the board a couple times  then the modem/router is the problem.

 

If you get weird results always try to replicate it. This proves you know what the problem is. Its all just troubleshooting.

Given Im not an IT expert by any means and Im still in HS, Im pretty new to this so a lot of what you said is useless to me in that regard . Basically all I want to know is if the router has any impact on internet if it's being used as a bridge for a modem.

[Wingdings#mlgdong]

 

Theres no way your that dumb.....

 

I would love to hear you explain Cable modems then

 

(Hes talking about 56K dial up modems if you don't know already.)

and thanks lol like i said im new to this stuff so i dont really know hahaha

[Taswell]

Yes the router has an impact on the performance you will get, But in your case not much impact Especially if your computer is hard wired to it. From what i remember the nighthawk router(s) excel at speedy WiFi and a lot of features 90% of people will never use.

 

Have you ever used the command prompt in windows?

[EposVox]

You need to be more clear about your definition of your internet being "generally trash." What's "trash" about it? Is it too slow? Does it cut out?

 

What internet speeds are you paying for? Compare the plan you're subscribed to to the results on a Speed Test. If you're paying for slow speeds, a new modem doesn't fix that.

 

If you're paying for much higher speeds than you're getting, then a modem will help.

 

If you're getting the speed you pay for, the modem would only help if it keeps cutting out/resetting.

[Wingdings#mlgdong]

You need to be more clear about your definition of your internet being "generally trash." What's "trash" about it? Is it too slow? Does it cut out?

 

What internet speeds are you paying for? Compare the plan you're subscribed to to the results on a Speed Test. If you're paying for slow speeds, a new modem doesn't fix that.

 

If you're paying for much higher speeds than you're getting, then a modem will help.

 

If you're getting the speed you pay for, the modem would only help if it keeps cutting out/resetting.

My internet is generally pretty fast, actually. Like speedtest is over 100mbps (not at home atm sorry lol). The thing is, though, is that it does cut out VERY often (sorry i didn't specify earlier!!).

Im in hs so im not living alone, therefore i don't pay for my internet. im not sure if were paying for faster speeds but im pretty sure we are.

[Wingdings#mlgdong]

Yes the router has an impact on the performance you will get, But in your case not much impact Especially if your computer is hard wired to it. From what i remember the nighthawk router(s) excel at speedy WiFi and a lot of features 90% of people will never use.

 

Have you ever used the command prompt in windows?

Like the ipconfig in cmd? If so then yes, i have (I have to port forward for games ever so often lol)

[Taswell]

if your paying for like 150MPS and speed test comes back with say 50MPS get your bitch face on and go yell at comcast.

 

So comcast drops your connection frequently so i would open command prompt and do tracert 8.8.8.8 and see what the weak link is. ( it will be the biggest number or Time out)

 

Looks like this

 

[EposVox]

My internet is generally pretty fast, actually. Like speedtest is over 100mbps (not at home atm sorry lol). The thing is, though, is that it does cut out VERY often (sorry i didn't specify earlier!!).

Im in hs so im not living alone, therefore i don't pay for my internet. im not sure if were paying for faster speeds but im pretty sure we are.

Well, if you're still getting decent speeds in speed test and it's just cutting out, it's either the modem or their service to your modem.

 

If they're giving you a new modem, definitely take it and try it out.

If that doesn't fix the service cutting out, be prepared to have more calls with them; the problem is likely on their end.

[Lolucoca]

@ITheSpatzI Normally, if i hear of modems, I think of these little things...

Not of those modems which transmit data over TV-lines... I know of them, but I never used one