10 of Frequently Asked Questions about Motorola Surfboard Modem

• What is a SURFboard cable modem?
  Similar to a telephone modem, which sends and receives signals over the telephone network to a PC, a SURFboard cable modem sends and receives signals over a cable TV system network. An important difference between telephone and cable TV system networks is capacity. Because telephone networks were built to carry only voice signals, the capacity or "bandwidth" is very limited. Cable TV system networks were designed to deliver full motion video and, as a result, have much greater bandwidth. This significantly greater bandwidth enables the cable TV system network to deliver more information per second. Cable TV system networks that use the SURFboard cable modem can provide their customers with network connections capable of delivering the Internet and multimedia services at very high speeds. For cable systems that have a mixture of 2-Way and 1-Way plant, Motorola offers a DOCSIS Dual Mode modem that can run on a 2-Way or 1-Way (Telco Return) cable plant.
• How does a SURFboard cable modem work?
  The cable TV system plant dedicates a standard cable TV channel for data transfer of Internet and multimedia services. A computer equipped with a SURFboard cable modem is then connected to the cable TV system network using the same type of hook-up used for a television. Once connected, the SURFboard cable modem tunes to the channel set aside for data transfer to access the Internet and other multimedia services offered by the cable TV operator. The SURFboard cable modem receives digital information carried over the cable TV network and passes it through to the computer via USB or a standard 10BaseT Ethernet interface.
  



• What's the difference between Motorola SURFboard cable modems and other cable modems?
  Motorola has been one of the leaders in the cable Internet industry since it began. In fact, in almost 9 million homes all around the world are currently using Motorola cable modems. Now you have the benefit of Motorola's (formerly General Instrument) years of experience as well - with every Motorola SURFboard modem. Our cable modems also come with a limited warranty, satisfaction guarantee, and 24-hour technical support
• How do consumers benefit from using a SURFboard cable modem?
  The immediate benefit is extremely fast Internet access. A cable modem network delivers data at raw speeds up to 38 Mbps (million bits per second). This is equivalent to 1,000 times faster than a standard 28.8 Kbps (thousand bits per second) telephone modem in a shared broadcast environment. Cable modem users typically see average speeds of 1.5 Mbps, depending on the service level provided by their provider and by the constraints and limitations of the Internet.
  
  In addition to Internet access, the cable TV industry also envisions providing its subscribers with compelling, video-enriched interactive entertainment that takes advantage of the bandwidth currently used to deliver video. Much of what we see on the World Wide Web (WWW) today is designed to the constraints of slow telephone networks and modems. Most Web sites are comprised of text-based pages with minimal, static graphics. In the cable modem environment, the WWW can include sites with full motion video, animated text and audio. All of this at warp speed.
  
  We believe the future will bring many more exciting possibilities as multimedia publishers build products that take full advantage of the high-bandwidth environment enabled by cable modems.
• What comes with my Motorola SURFboard cable modem?
  Quite simply, virtually everything you need to begin surfing the Web with your computer. Included with your SURFboard cable modem are Ethernet and USB cables, power cord, and USB drivers on CD-Rom.
• I have more than one computer. Do I need more than one Motorola SURFboard computer modem?
  No, if your computers are connected via a network, one Motorola cable modem will support up to 32 computers. Since each computer must have its own unique IP address - which you can order through your cable provider or ISP - expect to pay a little extra each month for each additional computer you tie in.
  
  Soon Motorola will be offering our newest addition to the SURFboard family, the SBG100 Wireless Cable Modem Gateway. This Gateway will allow you to link multiple PCs throughout your home via Ethernet, USB, wireless and HPNA.
• When will SURFboard cable modems be available?
  Motorola's SURFboard cable modems are available today. Cable companies have been progressively rolling out DOCSIS around the world. Check with your local cable operator to see if DOCSIS is in your area.
• Are SURFboard cable modems sold in retail stores, catalogs, over the Internet, etc.? Yes, SURFboard cable modems are available to be purchased online now, and at many retailers such as Best Buy, Circuit City and The Wiz, as well as through many cable operators throughout the world.
  
  The DOCSIS standard was created to ensure there would be fully interoperable equipment available to the public via normal retail and direct sale outlets.
  
  All SURFboard cable modems comply with the DOCSIS standard and operate on any DOCSIS compliant Cable TV network.
• Is the SURFboard modem compatible with cable modem equipment from other manufacturers?
  
  Yes. All SURFboard cable modems are now built to comply with the Data-Over-Cable-System-Interface-Specification (DOCSIS) standard. Click for more information about DOCSIS.
  
  In fact, SURFboard received its first CableLabs Certification in May 1999. Motorola was one of the first few companies to receive this certification, which indicates that the cable modem fully complies with the DOCSIS standard after passing an extensive battery of compliance tests.
  
  There will continue to be non-DOCSIS cable systems and you should always verify compatibility with your cable operator. Customers of proprietary cable modem systems should check with their service provider on availability of DOCSIS and any upgrade path.
• Which computers and operating systems are supported by SURFboard cable modems?
  The SURFboard external cable modems run with any computer that supports USB or Ethernet interface, including PCs, Macs, laptops, and workstations. SURFboard modems are compatible with any operating system that runs on these computers as long as the operating system supports TCP/IP (such as MAC OS, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME/XP, Linux, and Unix). As you may already know, USB is not supported with Windows 95 and NT. Motorola's SURFboard cable modem USB drivers are WHQL Certified for WIndows 98/2000/Me/XP.

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