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Hey so my modems Ethernet ports are not both active. I have 2 PCs plugged in and only one is registering a connection even they are both hardwired Ethernet into the same modem. I just got off the phone with Comcast and they said it was a manufacturing issue? Any help and support would be great. 

The dual ports are only usable if Comcast sets you up with 2 distinct IP addresses. That is not typically done, and some ISPs bill extra. In most cases, if you want more than one device, you should add a router that will handle DHCP for you. You can’t just plug 2 devices in.

 

https://arris.my.salesforce-sites.com/consumers/articles/General_FAQs/SB8200-First-Time-Installation/?l=en_US&fs=RelatedArticle


The dual ports are only usable if Comcast sets you up with 2 distinct IP addresses. That is not typically done, and some ISPs bill extra. In most cases, if you want more than one device, you should add a router that will handle DHCP for you. You can’t just plug 2 devices in.

 

https://arris.my.salesforce-sites.com/consumers/articles/General_FAQs/SB8200-First-Time-Installation/?l=en_US&fs=RelatedArticle

 

Which router would you recommend in this case?


Are you just looking for hard-wired capability, or do you want WiFi? Do you think you would prefer something that you configure “on the device” or would you prefer something you manage “in the cloud”? How many devices total? What kind of upload/download speed are you looking for? I moved from Netgear to Google a while back based on some of my home integration, and have been very pleased. Arris has the ARRIS SURFboard mAX Pro Wireless mesh if you want to stay with a single vendor.  If your long term plans include adding devices at each end of a large space, you will want to look at how you do “backhaul”. While WiFi backhaul is convenient, I prefer ethernet to ensure I don’t run into speed/distance issues.


Are you just looking for hard-wired capability, or do you want WiFi? Do you think you would prefer something that you configure “on the device” or would you prefer something you manage “in the cloud”? How many devices total? What kind of upload/download speed are you looking for? I moved from Netgear to Google a while back based on some of my home integration, and have been very pleased. Arris has the ARRIS SURFboard mAX Pro Wireless mesh if you want to stay with a single vendor.  If your long term plans include adding devices at each end of a large space, you will want to look at how you do “backhaul”. While WiFi backhaul is convenient, I prefer ethernet to ensure I don’t run into speed/distance issues.

 

I would like to get WiFi, as for how its managed I’m used to doing that in a web browser since my phone isn’t currently working. Two devices Ethernet’ed, and another 6 on WiFi roughly, so 8 total. Currently I live in a small 1 bedroom apartment so I’m not too concerned with having to have multiple routers if thats what you mean. Currently I just want both of my Ethernet’ed computers to have internet activity so Comcast is sending out a Tech team tomorrow I just hope they don’t try to charge me anything extra for getting a second port online.

 

With all that in mind is there a router that is reasonably priced, that you’d recommend that can handle DHCP?


Without an Android device running Google Home, the Google units are out. You don’t need any of the fancy mesh units. That suggest a good basic unit from Netgear/TP Link/Asus. They all have good units that will give you good WiFi and 4 LAN ports. With that said, see what’s available locally and make sure there is a good return policy. Watch out for the $50-60 units that may only have 10/100 network interface cards. Make sure you get 10/100/1000. If you are in a small place, simple things like the ability to dim/disable the LEDs may be important, so I’d check that in the specs. If you have visitors, you may want an easy way to enable/disable a guest network. Make sure you change all the default login/password settings!