EggXpert

hey everyone.  im thinking about buying a cable modem.  (ive been renting one from my isp for over 2 years now, and at $3 a month, i could have almost bought 2 by now.)  ive read a lot of reviews at newegg, cnet, and other places on the web.  it seems that people are very happy with the Motorola Surfboard models, for the most part.  i notice that they have very high bandwidth capabilities also... even though my connection is nowhere near those speeds, i figure that if im buying, i might as well get one with a high capacity.   long and the short of it, i think i will be buying one in the near future.  now on to my question...

ive noticed that newegg carries 2 surfboard models of the wired variety (SB5120 and SB5101).  can anyone tell me what the difference is between the pair?  

SB5120 ($42.99)

- Easy-to-read front panel lights to indicate status

- User-friendly online diagnostics page

- Supports up to 32 users

- Bridged Ethernet and USB connections, allowing communication between a USB device and an Ethernet LAN

- Supports standard internet software

- Specially designed architecture allows for future upgrades

 

SB5101 ($45.24)

- Compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and Unix computers

- Ethernet and USB cables included

- Installation Assistant program on CD-ROM guides you through installation on the PC

- Top-mounted Standby switch for increased security

- Front-panel LEDs indicate status and simplify troubleshooting

- User-friendly online diagnostics page

- Supports standard Internet software

- Supports up to 63 computers on a single Internet connection (additional networking hardware required)

- Remote configuration and monitoring from the headed using SNMP and TFTP

- Stylish and space-saving enclosure

- Multi-language User Guide on CD-ROM

 

from comparing the specs listed, it looks like the 5101 comes with more stuff (cables, cd-roms, etc), supports more users/computers, is compatible with more OS's, and more.  now, just because the other model doesnt specifically say that it comes with items or supports other OS's, and so on, does that mean that it actually doesnt? 

basically, i need someone to tell me, in plain english, what the differences between these two are... and what i could do with the extra features (i dont know a whole lot when it comes to modems and networking).  i mean, for roughly $2.50 more, i was thinking about getting the 5101.  but if the only difference is the multi-language cd and mac support, then i would just save a couple dollars and pick up the 5120.   

thanks for the help!
 

SB5120 ($42.99)

- Supports up to 32 users  (Please note that additional networking hardware will be required...just like the other one does.)

- Bridged Ethernet and USB connections, allowing communication between a USB device and an Ethernet LAN

- Enhanced with TurboDOX™ Bandwidth Optimization Software: can further boost download speeds by up to 20 times (their disclaimer about what 20times means here.)
 

 

SB5101 ($45.24)

- Compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and Unix computers

- Top-mounted Standby switch for increased security (this just quickly disconnects you from the internet w/o having to unplug cable or power.)

- Supports up to 63 computers on a single Internet connection (additional networking hardware required)

- Remote configuration and monitoring from the headed using SNMP and TFTP

A. USB LAN bridge capability for 1 device.

B. Both are Hybrid devices...combo Modem/DHCP server.....but you likely won't have 23 users....let alone 63, nor will you want to purchase the additional networking hardware needed to support that many users....

C.  You won't know how to use the "remote configuration" or the "remote monitoring"

D.  It doesn't matter where the cut-off switches are.

E.  Newegg has the "package contents" on the "specifications" tab.  There is where you will find what you will receive, the "brief" may not mention everything in the box, but there is where the contents will be listed.

F.  Neither one of these are a Router....so you still have no firewall and you WILL need one.  You will need to purchase a Router for this.  You COULD just use a "software" firewall, but I would not recommend it.

G.  Both support DOCSIS 2.0 cable networks if/when yours ever switches from the 1.1 you will not need to change hardware.

 

bottom-line is that the differences that WILL matter to you, you've already spotted and they are straight-forward.....the others are of no use to you and would be point-less to explain however simplistically.  If you truly are interested google SNMP and TFTP . 

The cheaper one has 2 points in it's favor....1 claims to have some kind of acceleration software....but I've no idea if it really works or not.

2.  It offers a single USB network connection for some PC w/o an ethernet port (for an older laptop maybe?)

but it's your call.
 

Tallon41 

hey thanks for explaining some of that to me.  i dont know.. ill have to sleep on it, which im about to do in a few minutes.  i will probably go with the cheaper one, mainly since it has the usb.  i have ethernet on both my pc's, but you never know.. i might need it some day.  the acceleration software doesnt really matter, usually claims like that are more 'snake oil' than anything else.  plus i already get more than i pay for since i used the tcp optimizer to reconfigure my settings.  and yeah, i dont see myself connecting 32 or 63 computers any time soon, so the lower of the two will work fine for me.   as far as a router goes, i already have one (linksys befsr41 v4.2).  i know a little about networking, but dont claim to be all-knowing by any means.. i run 2 pc's and an xbox 360 on my wired network.  when i get bored ill google those two terms you mentioned.  im always up to learning more.  thanks again.