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What
is a cable modem?
A cable modem allows your computer to communicate with the
Internet through a cable TV (CATV) network rather than through
a telephone wire. Transferring data over a CATV connection
means your connections fast, instantaneous, and independent
from your telephone line. There is more than one variety
of cable modem.
How
fast are cable modems?
Under ideal circumstances, you can receive data from the Internet using
a Time Warner Cable modem at speeds approaching 3Mbps (Megabits-per-second);
in practice, however, factors like the speed of a web site's host server,
or traffic on the Internet, can limit your download speed.
Can
I watch cable TV while using the cable modem?
Yes. Although the cable TV signals travel through the same
cable as the Internet signals, they travel at different
frequencies, and are independent of one another. Your cable
TV will work the same as it did before you connected to
the cable modem, and your Internet connection will not be
affected when you watch TV.
Can
I talk on the telephone while using the cable modem?
Yes. Since the cable modem does not use telephone lines,
the telephones in your house are totally separate and independent
from your Internet connection. You're no longer tying up
the telephone line when you're surfing.
If
I buy a new computer or change operating systems, will the
cable modem still work?
Yes. As long as the operating system is among those supported
by the cable modem, you can continue to access the Internet
with your cable modem. If you are using a USB data interface
and you switch to a new operating system, you may have to
install a new USB driver. The computer will automatically
search for the correct USB driver.
Should
I disconnect from the internet when I'm not using it?
It is not necessary to disconnect from the Internet in order
for your computer to remain secure.
If you do choose
to disconnect from the Internet, the easiest way is to turn
off your computer. If you want to physically disconnect
from the Internet and still use your computer, you can remove
the 10BaseT cable from the back of your computer. A third
option is to release the IP address you were dynamically
assigned when you started using the Internet in this particular
session; command-line utilities such as WINIPCFG on Windows
95 and Windows 98 and IPCONFIG on Win NT, Win2000 or WinXP
provide this functionality
How
will a power outage affect the cable modem?
When the power comes back on, the cable modem will go through
its normal power-up and initialization states, and will
return to a normal operating state. It is recommended, as
with all electronic equipment, that the cable modem power
supply is plugged into a power surge protector.
What's
the difference between an Ethernet connection and a USB
connection?
Both are data-interface options for connecting your computer
to the cable modem.
An Ethernet
connection requires that an Ethernet card be installed in
your computer, and that the computer be configured for TCP/IP.
With the addition of an Ethernet hub, multiple computers
(up to 5 with a Toshiba Docsis modem) can be connected to
a single cable modem.
A USB connection
can be used if your computer has an available USB port.
Although no card installations are necessary with USB, the
installation of a USB driver is required. (See page for
the your specific type of modem.) The USB interface does
not allow for more than one computer to be connected to
the cable modem.
Not all modems
have USB connections available.
Will
the cable modem be affected if I have additional devices
connected to my computer's USB port?
Yes, it is possible that the addition of other devices to
the USB port could degrade the performance of the cable
modem. This is because other devices can use up bandwidth
that the cable modem would otherwise be using.
What
is a DOCSIS cable modem?
DOCSIS stands for 'Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification'
and is the industry's new specification for cable-based
Internet access services. Because it is a standard, companies
are able to offer DOCSIS cable modem products that are fully
interoperable with any cable company who has implemented
a DOCSIS cable network. Prior to DOCSIS, cable companies
had to purchase all cable Internet access hardware from
the same provider.
Is
the cable network fully capable of 2-way transmission?
Yes. Time Warner cable modems are only being deployed in areas where the
plant has been fully upgraded to a hybrid fiber/coaxial cable network;
500 homes (or less) are fed by each fiber node, and there is an active
return path. In addition, the cable system must put in place measurement
and maintenance procedures to ensure the integrity of the forward and
return paths. This maintenance includes sweeping and aligning the plant
to eliminate trouble spots that could produce RF noise or leakage. Such
maintenance is becoming a routine part of cable TV's HFC networks everywhere.
I
already have a modem. Will this replace it?
That depends on the configuration of your PC. For most of
our customers, once they have cable modem's high speed data
access, there may be no need to keep using their conventional,
slow, telephone data modem. Your PC retailer can tell you
if your configuration will accommodate both your existing
telephone modem and the cable modem service simultaneously.
Will
I have trouble having two modems in my personal computer?
The cable modem is a unique modem. Without becoming technical,
the cable modem connection is more similar to a network
connection, in that a network card is inserted and connected
directly to the cable modem. The modem itself is not connected
directly to a serial port, so both types of modems can reside
in your computer. However, if your computer already resides
on a network there may be a conflict between your current
Network Interface Card and the Network Interface Card that
supports the cable modem software. Please check with your
LAN administrator.
Can
I Purchase My Own Cable Modem?
While cable modems are often available for retail sale today,
Time Warner Cable requires you to use the cable modem we
provide. There is no discount on monthly cable modem service
if you have purchased your own modem.
Are Cable Modems More Insecure
Than Other Forms Of Internet Access?
No. Cable modems were designed with security in mind and
protect customers just as well as other forms of Internet
access, including dial-up, ISDN, and ADSL.
Can
other people see what I send and receive through a cable
modem?
No. While cable modems use a shared data channel, the modems
were designed to prevent anyone from intercepting data sent
to or from a cable modem. First, our cable modems only deliver
TCP/IP traffic; other network protocols, such as NetBEUI
and AppleTalk, cannot be transmitted via cable modems. Second,
our cable modems only deliver data targeted at the IP addresses
of the computers connected to them; there is no way to "sniff"
packets sent to or from other subscriber's computers. Third,
all data sent to and from the cable modem is encrypted.
Can
other people see what's on my computer?
Only if you want them to. Modern operating systems were
designed to put you in charge of your computer, including
what you choose to share with other people.
How
do I report a security violation?
You may use the abuse@maine.rr.com
email address to report a security violation committed by
a Time Warner cable modem subscriber. Please include documentation
of the violation, including logs indicating when the attacks
occurred and the IP address of the attacker. If a subscriber
of another Internet service has committed a security violation,
you should contact the security coordinator for that provider.
If
I have a problem after I am installed, who do I call?
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