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SURFBOARD SB2100D EXTERNAL CABLE
MODEM
Last updated: 10/5/99
 My
Internet Service Provider (ISP) recently installed one of these cable MODEMs
in my store to replace both the dial-up MODEM and internal cable MODEM (CM)
in my computer and used to connect to the one-way cable Internet service
available here in town. We are all waiting patiently for two-way Internet
service on the cable, but that won't happen for 1-2 years and will require
a substantial capital outlay by the ISP to upgrade the cable infrastructure. When
it does happen the SB2100D cable MODEMs, which can operate with both one-way
and two-way cable systems, will be ready for the change.
The SB2100D CM was mainly installed here as part of our
ISPs effort to upgrade the cable system to the Data
Over Cable Service Interface Specifications (DOCSIS). Part
of this standard implements automated configuration and management from the "headend" (ISP
end of the network). A tech goes on site, installs an Ethernet Adapter
and sets-it-up in Windows to use the TCP/IP protocol, connects a CAT5
network cable between the network and the CM, boots-up the computer,
and turns-on the CM. The CM automatically connects to the ISP, and
downloads everything to configure the CM, establishes Internet Protocol (IP)
connectivity using the Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) to assign an IP address to network
adapter, and connects to the Internet. That's all there is to it. Other
than the software for the network adapter, no software comes with the CM
to the customer's site.
The SB2100D has four LEDs on the front (Power, local Ethernet
Activity light, Phone, and Error). It has On/Off power switch, a jack
for the power adapter, diagnostic port for ISP equipment, an Ethernet
link active LED, 10BASET Ethernett RJ45 jack, RJ11 phone line jack, and a
cable connector. It would be nice if the CM had an addition RJ11 jack
to plug-in a telephone.
I received a preliminary version of the User Manual. It
is brief, if not sparse, to the point, fairly well illustrated, and dwells
on the Windows Ethernet adapter configuration. The user doesn't have
much to do with the installation of the CM.
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