Time Capsule DOCSIS Compatibility

Question

Level 1

108 points

Time Capsule DOCSIS Compatibility

Apple Support:

We need more information about older and current Apple Time Capsule devices and DOCSIS compatibility. Time Warner Cable is rolling out DOCSIS-compatible modems throughout New York City with an aggressive marketing campaign promising internet speeds upto 6x faster.

Many of my friends are finding that AFTER they upgrade they are completely in the lurch trying to figure out if their wireless routers are compatible at all with the newer cable modems.

Can you please provide definitive documentation on all generations of Airports and Time Capsules as to whether they are DOCSIS compatible and if firmware upgrades are needed.

Please note I have received conflicting reports from different friends on this -- some say their older devices are incompatible, some say they are after firmware update, etc.

We need definitive information (unable to find on Google searches) so people can make informed decisions about how and when to upgrade. This is a widescale problem that will affect millions of customers in the northeast region as TWC rolls out these modems.

Thank you.

-Jason

Posted on Oct 21, 2014 5:17 AM

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Answer 1

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Oct 21, 2014 6:05 AM in response to jason f b

Sorry, but this is not Apple Support.

You have posted on a community support forum for other users.....just like you.

No one from Apple will answer, so you might want to contact Apple Support directly. The link for that is below:

http://www.apple.com/support/contact/

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Answer 2

jason f b Author

Level 1

108 points

Oct 21, 2014 6:43 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Oh right ok. Well I still need information so if anyone has any links to information that would be helpful. I will follow-up with Apple Support on my own, but I will leave this post here in case anyone in the community has any information.

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Answer 3

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Oct 21, 2014 6:51 AM in response to jason f b

Well, a clue might be that no firmware change was ever required for Docsis 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, etc., and I imagine that a firmware update will not be required for 3.1 or whatever it is that comes next.

All that really matters is that the router can handle the speed from the modem, regardless of what Docsis version it might be. The AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule can easily handle speeds up to 450-500 Mbps at the WAN port.

If you have an AirPort Express, and want higher speeds than 100 Mbps, then you will need to change to an AirPort Extreme, Time Capsule or other router capable of handling higher speeds.

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Answer 4

jason f b Author

Level 1

108 points

Oct 21, 2014 7:55 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Yes, my research indicates that it is the WAN port speed that is the limitation (I can confirm that observation).

My friend has reported that his Time Capsule (I believe 3rd generation, but I am asking him for verification by model number) purchased in 2010 is incompatible with the new modems that Time Warner cable is shipping (we believe DOCSIS 3.1, but I haven't confirmed that). That contradicts your statement that all Airport Extreme and Time Capsule devices are compatible with these newer modems. That is the heart of the question I am trying to resolve.

TWC is literally blasting marketing about the improved modems all over town, so this really will affect hundreds of thousand if not millions of New Yorkers with airport devices. So if anyone with information can post about it here it would be much appreciated.

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Answer 5

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Oct 21, 2014 9:34 AM in response to jason f b

Your friend's Time Capsule has a Gigabit WAN Ethernet port, which is capable of link speeds of 1,000 Mbps. The actual throughput WAN to LAN is going to be in the 450-500 Mbps range on Time Capsule and AirPort Extremes.

Unless your new service is delivering higher speeds than 500 Mbps, you should not have to make any changes on an Apple router....or any other router for that matter.......other than reset it back to factory default settings and set it up again with a new DOCSIS 3.x modem.

If the modem can deliver up to 500 Mbps, the WAN port on an AirPort Extreme or Time Capsule can handle it.

Sure, Time Warner is going to tell you that you need a new modem/router to handle the higher speeds. What they likely won't tell you is whether they plan to offer a simple modem that will handle higher speeds......not the modem/router or gateway they will be pitching.

If they only offer a modem/router or gateway to handle the higher speeds, then you will be stuck having to buy or lease a new modem/router from them to use their higher speed service.

Hopefully, they will offer a simple modem, so you won't have to fool with another router that you don't need.

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Answer 6

jason f b Author

Level 1

108 points

Oct 21, 2014 9:51 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Thank you Bob for your information.

Tim or Greg- if you see this could you please leave a comment here with the exact model number of your Time Capsule unit so we can verify this information.

Bob- TWC told me that the Mbps will be affected by the service you buy from them, and yes, it may actually be higher than 500 Mbps. That may be exactly the problem.

>> If they only offer a modem/router or gateway to handle the higher speeds, then you will be stuck having to buy or lease a new modem/router from them to use their higher speed service.

I spoke to a TWC rep last night he was helpful (yes actually helpful). I do not believe they are offering any choice between a "simple modem/router" and another one. However, I do know that once you set up the new cable model, THEY can switch it into bridge mode so that it doesn't perform Double-NAT, and also disable ITS wireless network (to use the one created by Apple Time Capsule). We believe this to be the best option for TWC customers.

The thing I don't understand (and I'm pretty technical) is this: Don't two devices negotiate their Ethernet WAN speed and match to the slowest device's speed? Isn't that the point of multi-speed devices? SO you'd think that if the modem is delivering at, say 600 Mbps, but the Time Capsule can only handle up to 500 Mbps, the cable modem would slow down to 500 Mbps. But what we're hearing are reports of complete incompatibility. IF it is incompatible it's incompatible -- I'll accept that answer, but I'd like definitive information so I know what to advise people .

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Answer 7

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Oct 21, 2014 10:00 AM in response to jason f b

SO you'd think that if the modem is delivering at, say 600 Mbps, but the Time Capsule can only handle up to 500 Mbps,

You are confusing link speed with throughput.

The Time Capsule link speed at the WAN port is 1,000 Mbps or Gigabit Ethernet.

But, no typical consumer grade router will be able to route 1,000 Mbps from the WAN to the LAN port. About the best that you will do is about 500 Mbps WAN to LAN on current consumer grade products.

All Time Capsules use Gigabit Ethernet ports, no matter what model it might be.

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Answer 8

jason f b Author

Level 1

108 points

Oct 21, 2014 10:08 AM in response to Bob Timmons

Right, gotcha. Thanks for the information, very helpful. I will do some work on my end to get more reports from people who have upgraded their modems and are having problems.

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Answer 9

Oct 21, 2014 7:18 PM in response to jason f b

Hi Jason and Bob,

Thanks for your help on this! The model number is A1355, it's copyrighted 2009, and the model name is "Time Capsule (1TB)."

Thanks!

Greg

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Answer 10

Bob Timmons

Level 10

185,108 points

Oct 21, 2014 7:38 PM in response to gregorissimo

As we previously noted above......All Time Capsules have Gigabit Ethernet ports, so the Time Capsule should be able to handle a 1,000 Mbps link signal and get about half of that....or about 450-500 Mbps to the LAN ports or wireless network signal.

But, we still have no specifications or requirements on the "new" Time Warner system, so we can't even guess about what will and will not work with that until we have more information.

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