Problem With MOTO SB4200 Modem

[mixtap3]

Hello all,

as of recently, my Motorolla SB4200 SURFboard modem has been having some internet problems I have never experienced before. (I don't know if this has anything to do with the problem, but I have noticed that it usually begins at 3pm-4pm and usually is gone between 7pm-8pm.)

What happens is I suddenly lose internet connection. All the lights are normal for a few seconds, until the activity light stops goes out. Soon after, the whole modem resets until the power light is left blinking. A few seconds later the lights began to blink and then turn out until all things are back to normal. This happens every 3-7 minutes or so.

I have tried resetting it, unplugging and replugging everything else, and it is fine for about 20 minutes until the problem arises again. What really makes me mad though is the problem is active during most of my free time. I can't play internet games, I can't speak to friends (efficiently) through Instant Messangers and E-mails, and all that good stuff.

Any ideas?

[johnwill]

This is a classic sign of network overloading on the ISP network, probably nothing at all to do with your physical modem. The only fix is for the ISP to add capacity to their network.

[mixtap3]

Alright, thanks. I don't really know much about this kind of thing, so I have a few questions.

Does each person have this capacity, or is it the ISP as a whole?

If each individual has their own set capacity, do I just contact them and let them know about the problem and see if it is indeed an overload, then they can give me a higher capacity?

Would getting more capacity result in a higher internet payment, or would it be the same, or does it depend on the ISP?

[johnwill]

It's the ISP as a whole, though your individual account is also usually capped at the service level you have contracted for.

I have Verizon FiOS for instance. They offer a number of different levels of service for residential accounts.

5mbit/2mbit
15mbit/2mbit
15mbit/15mbit

I used to have a slower service, now I have the 15mbit/15mbit service. That change was made remotely, the speed just showed up after changing my service order.

The issue you have is that during peak times, typically from about 4:00 pm through 8:00pm or slightly later, demand in residential areas typically peaks and the ISP network is unable to service all the clients with full bandwidth.

[mixtap3]

Alright. Will upgrading just make my connection faster or will it help with this cap as well, or does it depend on the ISP (mine is comcast).

[johnwill]

Comcast probably has to upgrade the network in your neighborhood before you'll get better performance. The issue is the gateways that service you locally are overloaded as a rule. Of course, it could be the whole local Comcast topology, that that's not the normal issue.

[mixtap3]

Ok I see. I was talking to a friend today and he told me he used to have the same problem. He complained frequently to his ISP, and eventually got somebody to come and fix/upgrade it. I think I will do this. Thanks for all your help.

[johnwill]

Hopefully, that will be the cure.