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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 2 Mbps (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 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 15 with
Windows) 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.
How will multiple users impact on the speed of cable modem?
Time Warner cable modems can operate up to a total of 27 Mb/s on a given
sub network, with no noticeable impact with multiple users.
After that point, as total bandwidth is allocated evenly
among users, a degradation will be noticed. The network is
engineered however, to always provide faster than ISDN
speed. Should the cable modem business grow to the extent that
there are more customers requesting service than the
allocated bandwidth can accommodate, the cable operator will
open-up another channel for the service.
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@bham.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?
To get in touch with your Time Warner Cable Broadband Services support team, call 205-595-FAST (3278). Customer support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Back to Cable Modem Support
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