HT201696: OS X: Connecting to the Internet with PPPoE (OS X v10.5 and earlier)

Learn about OS X: Connecting to the Internet with PPPoE (OS X v10.5 and earlier)
LCB803
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: DOCSIS Cable Modem Compatible with my AirPort??

I use an AirPort base station. My ISP requires a "compatible DOCSIS device" (cable modem). Which broadband internet cable modem is recommended for use with AirPort? (A list of the DOCSIS devices is here). Thank you!!

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.3), 1.8 GHz Intel i7, 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Posted on Apr 25, 2012 2:26 PM

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LCB803

Q: DOCSIS Cable Modem Compatible with my AirPort??

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  • by BGreg,

    BGreg BGreg Apr 25, 2012 8:05 PM in response to LCB803
    Level 6 (17,522 points)
    Apr 25, 2012 8:05 PM in response to LCB803

    You need a modem to convert the Comcast cable signal to a format that can be used by the airport. Usually there is a line out that an ethernet cable plugs into on the cable modem and the other end into the Apple Airport. As long as you have a cable modem that Comcast will recognize, you should be fine. I'd recommend looking for one that is DOCSIS version 3 versus version 2, as I recall there are some performance benefits to version 3. When we had cable, we used Motorola modems, which worked fine.

  • by jsd2,

    jsd2 jsd2 Apr 26, 2012 5:43 AM in response to LCB803
    Level 5 (6,210 points)
    Apr 26, 2012 5:43 AM in response to LCB803

    I have an older model Airport Extreme base station, and my ISP is also Comcast. I recently replaced my old cable modem with a Motorola SURFboard SB6121 (DOCSIS 3), which is on their list. Works great, and I had no problems with setting it up.