NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig Cable Modem for Xfinity Voice (CM2050V) – for Cable Plans up to 2.5Gbps - DOCSIS 3.1-2 Phone Lines

#1:NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig Cable Modem for Xfinity Voice (CM2050V) – for Cable Plans up to 2.5Gbps - DOCSIS 3.1-2 Phone Lines

 

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 Easy install, fast speeds
While updating our Spark light internet service I found out their system is now DOCSIS 3.1. My old Arris SB6190 modem is DOCSIS 3.0. We purchased a refurb ARRIS SB8200 and had issues with it not connecting DOCSIS 3.1, the two center LED's stayed green did not turn blue, also couldn't get in to the modems software to change the admin password. After several calls to Spark light tech help returned the ARRIS and bought this Netgear CM1000. It works as advertised! We pay for 300Mbps and were getting slightly faster speeds. Also the modem gets warm but not hot, The ARRIS modem got very warm to the touch. Also was able to get into the modems software to change the admin password easily. So far very happy with this modem! We had our old ARRIS SB6190 for 8 years and it worked perfectly but it is a DOCSIS 3.0 and I wanted to keep our internet system up to date

How to get the MOST speed from your Gigabit internet (I have Xfinity)
I don't do reviews often but I want to help my geek friends save days of research and frustration that I went through to finally get the absolute most speed out of my Gigabit internet. There's some golden nuggets here that you need to know.

When I first upgraded to the new gigabit here in Denver (from Xfinity), it was using their new Cable Modem/Router device (XB6-A) and I was only getting 500 Mbps download speed. It was also lagging in our house when several people were gaming and others were downloading, or even accessing intensive web-pages. (lagging = pings were going up).

Since upgrading to this Netgear CM1000, upgrading my cabling, and factory resetting my router, I'm now getting the most download throughput (~941 Mbps) and the lowest pings I've EVER seen! Connection is rock solid throughout the house.

SHORT ANSWER: Get this Netgear CM, upgrade your ethernet cables to Cat 6 (or Cat 5E for short distances) and then Factory Reset your router to get the most speed. You still may need a new router to reach gigabit speeds. I'm getting the most download throughput (~941 Mbps) and the lowest pings I've EVER seen!

I did lots of tests comparing this cable modem to the XB6-A that Xfinity provided. Here are some big things I learned:

1) Make sure your ethernet cables going from the cable modem to the router and from the router to your PC are CAT6 or at least CAT5E (for short distances).

2) Upgrading to this Netgear CM1000 Cable Modem LOWERED my ping/latency compared to the XB6-A that Xfinity provided. I just got a 5 MS Ping to the google server here in Denver! UNHEARD OF. Most of the time it's around 8-9ms with this new cable modem. I was getting 11-14 w/ the Xfinity modem. If you're a gamer, a lower ping matters!

3) The Xfinity XB6-A modem/router combo doesn't work too well when you have your own router also connected to it. Xfinity recommends you only use their device and disconnect your router.

4) Around 941 mbps is the max download speed that modern gigabit routers/switches can do right now so don't be worried if you can't get above that.

5) Many routers can't handle gigabit download speeds, especially if you've enabled any of the features like QoS, Traffic Meter, Keyword block, etc. My Netgear Nighthawk (R7000) was only getting 400-500 mbps (using speedtest) because I had enabled some of these features. Even when I disabled these features, the speed was still low. Doing a FACTORY reset fixed it, and now I'm getting 937 - 943 mbps download speed!!!

The reason these routers slow down when you enable extra features is because it disables CTF (cut through forwarding) and the router no longer uses it's faster processor. Some of the newer routers can still maintain max download speeds of 941 mbps while also allowing you to use QoS and other features.

6) There's a great website called Small Net Builder that compared routers to see which could reach 941 mbps download speed. I recommend you check that out if you need a new router.

Keep in mind that this Netgear CM1000 is JUST a cable modem. It's not a router. So if you only have 1 device you want to wire into it, you're fine but if you want to have more devices, and wireless, then you'll need a router too.

The Xfinity provided XB6-A is both a cable modem and a wireless router in one. I personally think it has some flaws that need to be worked out but appears to be a beefy piece of hardware. You can save yourself the $10/month rental by getting this Netgear CM1000.

P.S. I do plan to upgrade my router so that I can still get 941 mbps download speed while enabling QoS. With QoS, it will set aside a portion of your bandwidth (say 20%) for high priority traffic like gaming that need low latency, and then it will limit all other connections (like large downloads) to the other 80% the connection. Keep in mind, if you enable this and run a speedtest, it will appear lower simply because it's now reserving part of your bandwidth for other devices/traffic in your home.

Easy to set up, good modem all around
Review of Netgear CM1000v2. I got a notice from my internet company, xFinity, that I should upgrade my old DOCSIS 3.0 modem to a newer 3.1 version. Even though my internet package only gets me up to 59Mbps, nowhere near the gigabyte speed offered by the new modems, I decided to replace my old modem anyway, since I was starting to get more internet outages over the past few weeks. I figured the older technology maybe wasn't being supported as well on the network, and I had to keep resetting my modem and waiting for connectivity to come back again. Installation was pretty easy. 1. First, unplug old modem from power, cable and ethernet. 2. Plug all of those into the new modem and wait for all the lights to stay on, which can take up to 10 full minutes. 3. Go into the xFinity app on your phone, log into your account, then tap Account, Activate xFi Gateway or Modem, Your Own Modem, Start Activation, then follow prompts from there. You will need to enter the MAC address, which is printed on the bottom of the modem. It may take another 10 minutes after activation for you to have internet access. All worked well for me and there were no problems. Modem has been working flawlessly for the past few days since I set it up. As I said, my plan only gives me up to 59Mbps, and that has not increased with this modem. It will only increase if I change my plan to a higher speed plan. But, I have a newer technology modem now that is at least ready for future speed increases should I choose to pay for that, and this DOCS 3.1 modem may have better security and more compatibility with the xFinity network. Things I like about it: 1. It has an on/off button on the back. VERY handy for resetting the modem. Much more convenient than having to pull the power plug then struggle to get it plugged back in while in a tight, dark space behind the modem. Many modems do not have an on/off button. 2. The lights are easy to see, but not too bright. On my previous Arris modem, the lights were overwhelmingly bright and flashing, so much that you could hardly read what their function was. These lights are much better. 3. The form factor is good; thin and tall, with a sturdy base. Other note: Some reviewers have said this modem gets HOT. I don't find that to be the case. It is warm, but not really any warmer than any other modem or streaming device I've had, especially one that is on 24 hours a day. Bottom line, this modem is a highly compatible modem for xFinity and all other cable systems, has an on/off button, good form factor, perfectly readable and not-too-bright lights, and is easy to set up.

Xfinity Employee Review
I am a employee of Comcast. I am reviewing as a consumer with arguably slight bias towards my employer. I feel I should be up front about this in my review. I can confirm this modem is on our *approved* list of modems that work with our service. I chose this modem for that reason and the fact a Docsis 3.1 modem is required for speeds above 300MBps. Otherwise, a cheaper Docsis 3.0 modem would work.

I bought this modem to replace my XB6 (wireless router, provided to Gigabit customers). I have always had my own netgear router (ex8000) that supports up to 1GBps. The XB6 provided speeds up to our advertised speeds but my main issue was double NAT and port forwarding issues. I am a gamer in my free time and I often had issues connecting to my friends and/or multiplayer lobbies due to double NAT routing issues. I also had to have my XB6 run through a un-managed switch as it was disconnecting often due to poor handshaking to the WAN port on my router. Not sure if this was netgear related but the issue went away after using a switch in between my XB6 and my router. Overall, the XB6 did what I needed and provided the speeds I was paying for, but I didn't need the additional features we offer to our customers. I personally didn't need the built in Wifi or hotspot of the XB6, nor did I did any of the firewall features. The XB6 does offer in home wifi for not only consumer devices but any wireless Xfinity devices such as cable boxes (Xi5, Xi6, XH, etc). Since I do not have Xfinity home or wireless cable boxes, I was looking at getting my own modem. If you have home phone from Xfinity, you will have to opt into a separate phone modem so you do not lose phone service if you decide to get your own modem. All of these previously mention notes apply to you as well if you have the XB3 wireless gateway.

I have been fully switched over to this new modem for about 2-3 weeks now. I haven't lost my connection once and have it going straight into my netgear router (ex8000) without the switch in between. I immediately got a new public IP upon switching over to the new modem. Make sure to call 1-800-COMCAST to have your modem activated. To be clear, when I call in - I call in to the same number...I don't get any special hotline to call into. Within 15mins it was added to my account and working. IF you have any of the devices I mentioned previously here....the rep will not be able to switch you over until you either return the equipment that requires our XB3/XB6. I am now able to do all my own firewall/NAT rules without any problems. I am still getting the same speeds and latency. This modem does exactly what it advertises and I have no issues to report. The modem itself does have a netgear GUI (192.168.100.1) - I believe is the IP. Simple google search pulls up what it is. Nothing to configure in the GUI itself, it basically just shows the public IP and that it is connected if everything is working.

This review reflects my own personal opinion and not that of my employer. I am using this modem for my own personal home connection and I did not receive compensation of any kind for this review.

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