Motorola SB6121 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem

by Motorola

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2 x 6.4 x 8.7 inches ; 1.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B004XC6GJ0
• Item model number: SB6121
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (366 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #1 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products > Modems
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 1, 2011

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Building upon the success of the SB6120, Motorola's SURFboard SB6121 delivers your complete personal media experience, at lightning-fast broadband speed. It harnesses the power of DOCSIS 3.0 technology to bond up to four downstream channels and four upstream channels--providing you advanced multimedia services with data rates of more than 100 Mbps in each direction. That makes gaming, shopping, downloading, working, high-quality voice and video conferencing, and peer-to-peer networking applications far more realistic, faster, and efficient than ever before.

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Key Features

Easy to Set Up and Use Plug and play installation Front panel LEDs indicate status and simplify troubleshooting Multi-language user guides Supports standard internet software User-friendly online diagnostics Efficient Stylish and space-saving enclosure Offers innovative, high-bandwidth data and multimedia services to customers Backward-compatible to DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 1.x and 2.0

Advanced Services Ready DOCSIS 3.0-certified (EuroDOCSIS 3.0-based) Channel bonding of up to 4 downstream and 4 upstream channels 1 GHz capable tuners Supports IPv4 and IPv6 to expand network addressing capabilities Versatile and Convenient Compatible with Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX computers. Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) data port enable flexible, high-speed connectivity with Auto Negotiate and Auto MDIX Reliable and Secure Enhanced security: supports Advanced Encryption Services (AES) traffic encryption Remotely configurable and monitorable using SNMP and TFTP

Easy to install, activate, and use.

As part of Motorola's DOCSIS 3.0 Ultra-Broadband family of products, the SB6121 includes an enhanced tuner that supports up to a 1 GHz downstream input, which allows operators to increase the frequency spectrum for deployment of new high-value services--such as bandwidth on-demand, commercial services, interactive gaming, and IPTV. The SB6121 features a 10/100/1000Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45) port, as well as intuitive, easy-to-read front-panel operational status LEDs. What's in the Box Motorola SURFboard SB6121, Ethernet cable, installation sheet System Requirements The SB6121 is compatible with the following operating systems: Windows 7 Windows Vista, Service Pack 1 or later Windows XP, Service Pack 2 or later Mac 10.4 or later (Ethernet connection only) UNIX (Ethernet connection only) Linux (Ethernet connection only)

What Is DOCSIS 3.0?

With the DOCSIS 3.0 specification, cable Internet providers can take advantage of the extra capacity provided by channel-bonding technology in order to offer ultra-fast broadband services. Channel bonding allows parallel data pipes to act as a single broadband conduit. With each channel capable of providing around 40 Mbps of data, the Motorola SURFboard SB6121's four downstream channels can provide a theoretical maximum of 160 Mbps of throughput.

Currently, cable providers max out at around 50 Mbps of downstream data throughput, but DOCSIS 3.0 will enable cable Internet providers to continue to improve the speed of their networks.

Product Description

A new and improved version of the world's most widely deployed DOCSIS cable modems. For the residential cable subscriber who wants a powerful modem capable of delivering a high-speed data service at blazing fast speeds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

377 of 385 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stay with the SB6120, July 8, 2011

By 

Ayame (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

I have tried both the SB6120 and the SB6121 and the signal levels and speeds were the same on both.
The SB6121 is a little smaller than the SB6120 but runs much warmer than the SB6120. Looks like they tried to cram too much hardware into too small of a space.

My SB6121 did not come with the power save button (it's listed as an optional feature), so about the only difference between the two models is the design. Both the SB6120 and the SB6121 use the same firmware: labeled SB612X.

So unless you want the different looking LED lights and a smaller and warmer box for a higher price, stay with the SB6120.

As far as speeds are concerned: the multiple channel bonding on these DOCSIS 3.0 modems is nice for sustained constant speeds. It also makes it easier for your ISP to enforce the speed cap if they choose to do so (Comcast in my case does). I was getting 20+ Mbps down and 3+ Mbps up on my old Linksys DOCSIS 2.0 modem, however that was the peak when the transfer first started, then it would taper off.
The DOCSIS 3.0 modem stays right at the 12/2 ceiling of my speed tier, but at least the speeds stay right up there and do not drop off after a few seconds.

145 of 146 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Does the job well/tip for Comcast users, September 29, 2011

By 

T. Hyatt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motorola SB6121 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem (Personal Computers)

Out of nowhere, I was having excruciatingly slow internet speed on Comcast. The Comcast tech advised that my Motorola SB 4100 was at the "end of life" and that I should upgrade. Skeptical, I purchased this modem which is a DOCSIS 3.0 (and backwards compatible) modem. It worked. I went from a 2mbps download speed to over 17mbps. What a difference. There was one installation glitch that you need to be aware of. When you hook up the modem (connect the coax cable, connect the ethernet cable, and plug it in, that's it), and then try to get online, it will direct you to a Comcast self-activation screen (no other site is available). After entering my account number and phone number and hitting the "next" button, I got a blank screen, and nothing happens. So I called Comcast and they said that usually happens if you are doing an upgrade; it mostly works only for a new service connection. However, it is a simple matter to give the tech your MAC address and the serial number. After about 5 minutes, while he stayed on the line, it came alive, no problem. BUT, here's the thing: the serial number they need is the CUSTOMER serial number. This is only found on the bottom of the Motorola box the modem came in. This is different from the "S/N" serial number that is on the label that is on the instruction sheet and on the bottom of the modem itself. The customer S/N has letters in it; the regular S/N has only numbers in it and is too long. My first Comcast tech didn't know that and it took a day to sort it out. Other than that, it works well with my iMac and Apple Airport Extreme Base wireless router. Enjoy

118 of 127 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Modem works with Comcast, June 29, 2011

By 

Falcon (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

Bottom line: this is a great modem and it works with Comcast. Comcast just doesn't have its act together. This modem is not only on their approved list, it has a three star rating, which, according to Comcast, is "the highest and most thorough level of testing." When the cable installer got here (I got a new line installed), he said that this modem was NOT on the Comcast list. Since I still had my DSL line working, I showed him that not only did Comcast approve the modem but that Comcast thoroughly tested it. He had to call the "office" to activate the internet service. The "office" didn't want to set up internet service for this modem; the "office" stated that this wasn't an approved modem. Well, he recalled the "office" and got someone else and they set up the service. I've been happy ever since. I'm supposed to get up to 20 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload. My computers are connected wirelessly. Speednet states that I am getting 20 to 25 Mbps downloads and the upload speed is between 3 and 3.5 Mbps. I've gotten similar values with speakeasy and other internet speed testing sites. I have a lot of devices connected: three computers (wireless), two TVs (one wired, one wireless), three different game consoles (connected to the wired TV), two Nintendo 3DS (wireless), one printer (wireless), and an iPod Touch (wireless). At times all of these devices are running at the same time - the computers are streaming You Tube videos, one of the TVs is streaming Netflix, etc. The modem handles all of it effortlessly. I'm really pleased with this modem.