Arris Surfboard 32x8 Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem Router Black Sbg8300

Gigabit modem specs and features

Here we'll dig deeper into the specs and features you should consider when you're shopping for a new gigabit modem.

DOCSIS compatibility

If you've been nodding your head politely and pretending to understand the whole DOCSIS thing but still haven't quite figured it out, don't worry—it took us a while to figure it out too.

The term DOCSIS stands for Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications. It's a standard that defines how cable internet providers can transmit data over existing lines originally meant for cable TV.

DOCSIS has evolved quite a bit since it first launched in 1997. DOCSIS 3.1, the latest version of this technology, came out in October 2013. Cable companies were excited because it opened the possibility for achieving multi- gigabit speeds as fast as 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps) over cable lines. In technical terms, experts would describe this as "insanely super-duper fast."

DOCSIS 3.1

Internet providers haven't hit 10 Gbps just yet—most companies offer residential cable internet plans with 1 Gbps speeds maximum.

The 1 Gbps cable internet cap is mostly due to the following:

• Most home networks still use Ethernet ports that support up to 1 Gbps.
• Not everyone has adapted to DOCSIS 3.1.

Overall, switching over to DOCSIS 3.1 is a lot more affordable on the provider's end than building a new network of fiber-optic lines—it's like installing a faster engine in a car versus building a network of teleporters from scratch.

Sooner or later, faster speeds will be an option, and when that happens, you'll be happy you got a gigabit cable modem compatible with DOCSIS 3.1.

DOCSIS 3.0

Most modems nowadays meet the standards of DOCSIS 3.0, and the higher-end ones can deliver 1 Gbps download speeds, according to the organization behind the DOCSIS protocol .

DOCSIS 3.0 came out in August 2006, but it's still widely in use and far more common than DOCSIS 3.1. If it doesn't work out between you and your shiny new gigabit plan, you'll still want a cable gigabit modem that's backward compatible for DOCSIS 3.0.

As you're eyeballing options and thinking about which is the best modem for gigabit internet, look for a modem that works under both standards. Ideally, you want one that can deliver 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels in DOCSIS 3.0, letting you hit 1 Gbps speeds (or something close) even under that standard.

Gigabit Ethernet ports

You want a modem that has a gigabit Ethernet port—nothing slower. Most desktops, laptops, game consoles, and streaming devices (like Apple TV) have at least one Ethernet port that supports up to 1 Gbps. Some devices may have two or more you can use simultaneously as one connection to increase your wired bandwidth.

For example, the ARRIS SB8200 boasts two gigabit Ethernet ports. Motorola's MB8600 has four. However, both modems support a connection for only a single client device.

Where those additional ports come into play is running multiple Ethernet cables between the modem and your router. This setup is called link aggregation, which is when you combine multiple network connections to create a single, stronger transmission, allowing you to push beyond 1,000 Mbps download speeds.

Pretty cool, huh? Just make sure you have a cable internet plan that supports the speeds you're aiming for and one of the best Ethernet cables for the fastest wired connection you can get.

Arris Surfboard 32x8 Docsis 3.1 Cable Modem Router Black Sbg8300

Source: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/best-gigabit-modems

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