Comcast cable modem software update push

Sun Jul 22 19:49:30 UTC 2012

On 7/22/2012 2:56 PM, Dave Sotnick wrote:
> Dear Nanog Users,
>
> I have recently been plagued by intermittent lockups on my Motorola
> BitSurfer 6121 cable modem, which I purchased based on Comcast's lists
> of recommended devices, and having good experience with Motorola
> products in the past. There's a good discussion on this topic here:
> http://goo.gl/SfHdh
>
> My technical question for the group is: When I finally talk to Comcast
> Tier 2 this week, what do I need to tell them to convince them that
> pushing out an update to SB6121 modems is a good idea? They seem
> convinced the onus is on Motorola to provide updates. This is not how
> DOCSIS 3.0 works!
>
> FWIW, the installed OS is 1.0.3.3 dated Aug 12 2010. The most recent I
> have heard of is 1.0.6.6. Apparently this fixes the lockups.
>
> Any tips greatly appreciated.
>
> -Dave
>

Dave,

/lurk mode off

Each MSO has its own procedures for reviewing and certifying firmware 
for their networks.  The various DOCSIS features work with varying 
levels of success on different code revisions, so the testing tends to 
be extensive.   When I worked at an MSO in my previous position, the 
process would be to lab test and then field soak for several months 
prior to releasing an update.  Even then, we would still be bitten by 
bugs with strange trigger conditions.  Assuming that process is the same 
at Comcast, you are likely to have little success in convincing them to 
speed up the deployment of new code, especially if the DOCSIS 
engineering group has not completed testing and fully vetted the code.

You best bet is simply to see if there is newer code available that they 
have approved.   Just for comparison, I have a Moto Surfboard 6121 
attached to TWC and I'm on firmware version 1.0.5.1 dated 12/21/2010 
(possibly installed when I was still a Cox customer).

/lurk on

Jeremy