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Motorola SURFboard Wireless Cable Modem Gateway (SBG900)
Motorola SURFboard Wireless Cable Modem Gateway (SBG900)
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Model: SBG900
Brand: Motorola
Manufacturer: Motorola
Average Rating:    (submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 112
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
 
Features:
PCs can be located where it is most convenient, not where there is a physical connection
Surf the Internet at speeds up to 100 times faster than a 28.8k analog modem
Offers 802.11g wireless technology with a range of up to 328 ft indoors and 1312 ft outdoors
Everyone on your network (up to 252 users) can share a single broadband connection
64-bit and 128-bit WEP security keeps hackers and viruses from attacking your network
 
Description:
When you combine a modem and wireless access point in one easy to install unit, it's easy to network all the computers, peripherals and game consoles in your home or small office. The SBG900 offers a fast Internet connection, a secure network and the convenience and flexibility of wireless Internet access. Surf the Internet at speeds up to 100 times faster than a traditional analog modem whether you're online doing homework or working on important files. 802.11g wireless technology means you can roam throughout your home or office without losing your network connection. At the same time, the commercial-grade firewall will keep hackers and viruses from attacking your network. Two diversity antennas (one internal and one external) to enhance wireless connectivity Commerical-grade firewall enhances network security - Denial of Service (DoS) attack prevention, Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), Intrusion detection and Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) protects your network while gaming online System Requirements - Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2, Netscape Navigator 6.2 or higher, Minimum 486/66 (Pentium Processor preferred) or Macintosh-compatible CPU (Power PC) 10/100 Base-T, Ethernet or USB connection and High speed data service
 
User Reviews (112 total):
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    Decent product with a few short-comings, June 10, 2007
By IT Consultant
Overall, this is a pretty decent AIO (all-in-one) product. Some things you need to be aware of is that the cable modem portion of this does require a stronger signal than just a regular stand-alone surfboard cable modem. Also, you are required to use its DHCP built-in server, whether you like it or not. You can set static IPs within the settings if you wish though. There are a number of tweaks you can do with this and some areas could be more robust, such as with the wireless security, but in general it is a decent product for a home user.

    Easy to set up, works perfectly, May 30, 2007
By Amy Cissell (Portland, OR United States)
the instructions that were included were great, I had no problem setting up my secure wireless network, and now all 4 computers can connect to the internet and each other effortlessly

    Excellent item and price!, May 30, 2007
By A. Emery (Seattle WA)
This cable modem is awesome. I've been paying $4 a month to lease a different one from Comcast for over 5 years...ugh...a piece of garbage too. So this will pay for itself in no time, plus it does wireless too! Super easy to get up and running, works great...

    Product performs as described, May 26, 2007
By P. Westbrook
A very cool product in more ways than one. First, the user guide on the cd is very comprehensive, and should address just about any problem. Setup was smooth, with a short software install. As soon as I gained a connection through my provider, I went into the setup menu on the modem and changed the passwords, enabled security and firewalls, and setup the network. It was configured and working in less than 30 minutes. The best part, is the modem plus router in one unit. No more wires and plugs around the desk. The unit is actually in the basement where the cable coax comes in the house. No need to even have it in the office. The signal strength is good, as my neighbor several hundred feet away detected my network, (but could not log on because of the WPA passkey security settings). I later disabled the broadcast of my network name in the modem settings, so it doesn't show up if someone searches for all available networks. The price is a little higher, but remember the 2 in 1 feature, and less wires and plugs. I am very pleased with this product and would recommend this product to anyone, especially the first time wireless users such as myself.

    Great Combo Modem/Wireless, May 24, 2007
By CJ in Conn
Great product 2 in 1 with wireless and cable modem all together.

    Never buy a motorola surfboad, May 14, 2007
By Harol Fallas
I get constantly disconnected when using this sufboard. I have trouble connecting to the internet even using my computer just a few steps away from thr modem. I ended up buying a Linksys router.

    Works as a charm, May 14, 2007
By D. Rivera
The Gateway needs almost no configuration, you can just plug it in, and works, takes a few minutes to auto detect the frecuency it the cable network, then u just need to change some configuration, to match your preferences mostly.

Wireless has a pretty descent range, u can have a computer conected via USB and use the network port to other computer/switch.

Im very pleased with the product, works fast, reliable, easy configuration, and saves the use of a modem and a gateway, you can have it in the same, and if u need more than 2 computers (network and usb) you can use a switch.


    Wonderful, May 1, 2007
By kalika_22 (Baton Rouge)
This is a great all in one product for home wireless use. It was extremely easy to set up, and took all of 10 minutes to learn how to encrypt the signal so no one could piggyback off it. It's also small enough to tuck away out of sight. I would definitely buy again.

    Still the best on the market IMOP, April 7, 2007
By Wade Smart (Bartlesville, Oklahoma)
I have this modem on my own network and it works perfectly. For my mom and dads new setup I purchased this for them. Again, like five total minutes to set up - including all the security and firewall configurations.

I put this on all my own clients networks who have cable modem service - if this isnt already their default modem.


    Great 2 in 1 Package, April 7, 2007
By Minnesota Boy (Moorhead, MN USA)
Works Great and is perfect for online gaming and wireless networking with your laptop. Has a 380 ft wireless range!!!

    Modem review, April 3, 2007
By John Branigan
This Motorola modem replaced an aging Toshiba that would crash at least once a day. Since installing the Motorola modem, I havn't crashed once. It also replaced a separate wireless unit tha has great range. i am very pleaed with the Motorola unit

    Motorola SBG900, April 2, 2007
By John R. Sedivy (Boston, MA)
I purchased this device today and feel obliged to write a review as I had used the reviews on this site to make the decision for the purchase. For starters I had a similar experience as most of the other reviewers. To provide a bit of background I was connecting one Macintosh, one PC and a Vonage device to the modem, I use Comcast as my Internet Service Provider(ISP). I am replacing a RCA modem and a Netgear router.

The modem took only a couple of minutes to setup, and similar to one of the other reviewers, I waited for over 15 minutes for registration of the MAC address with Comcast. Once registered I was able to connect instantly with the Macintosh - no issues whatsoever, which I have found to be typical of Apples. I had a bit of difficulty with the PC, not sure why, but the problem literally resolved itself! I suspect this is an issue with my PC, rather than the modem. In any case it works flawlessly now.

I experienced quite a bit of difficulty with the Vonage device and spent about two hours with the tech support. The issue ultimately was the firewall setting on the cable modem. Again, I do not believe this is an issue with the modem but rather an issue that Vonage would likely experience with any device. I believe it was more an issue with poor Vonage tech support.

Here is a quick breakdown:

Benefits: Excellent packaging, ability of one device to take the place of two (router and modem in one), reasonable price, increased speed performance when compared to my previous modem - both in terms of speed and range (which is admittedly a roughly three year old RCA 802.11g model), ability to connect via Ethernet and Universal Serial Bus (USB).

Disadvantages: Would have been nice to have a second Ethernet port, but not really a necessity.

In summary I believe this to be an excellent cable modem and probably the best on the market. The price is reasonable given the functionality and it was great to eliminate the wireless router and accompanying wires.


    Works as advertised, March 31, 2007
By Bill Nicholas
Glad I got it. Coverage is better than what I had before and it takes up less space. Does what it says it does and cost less than a modem alone did the last time I bought one a few years ago.

    Vista 64-Bit Setup A Bit Tricky, March 29, 2007
By Mike (Chandler, AZ USA)
The compactness and lack of wires running everywhere definitely is nice. The signal strength throughout my apartment is 60% and constant. I am using the built-in Intel A/G/B wireless card on my laptop so I know, without a doubt, that this would be 100% if I were to buy a PCMCIA card adapter. For a desktop with a PCI card, it should be 100% within about 70-80 feet of the gateway. I don't have any problems with dropping packets or connections to the internet. The setup on 64-Bit Vista is a bit tricky because you need another computer running XP or earlier to connect with Ethernet to change the wireless encryption and password. Once this is set up, connection with Vista is normal using the wireless mode.

    Reliable and Secure, March 28, 2007
By John 3:5

Motorola SURFboard Wireless Cable Modem Gateway (SBG900)

I've had the SURFboard since Sept 2005, replacing a brand new but dying D-LINK modem and separate but unreliable wireless router, and have not had ANY significant networking issues. The intentional combination of modem and router was unique and novel to me at the time of purchase. It simplified installation of the SURFboard to my the ISP and overall design of my home wireless network. Also, I only have to keep track of and troubleshoot one piece of equipment rather than two when network issues arise. And luckily, the SURFboard is so well designed that even troubleshooting the SURFboard requires little knowledge of networking. The online home menu is easily accessible and so intuitive, it is easy for a novice like me to figure out how to, for example, put up a network firewall or encrypt a wireless connection to a remote laptop. If you setup the firewall feature, the SURFboard also allows you to monitor and log outside intruders, which is essential for those households setting up home wireless networks in densely populated suburban neighborhoods. (You do not want adjacent neighbors accessing your wireless network for free, do you?). So far, no equipment failures, meltdowns, or blowups with the SURFboard. Hence, I give this product a full five stars with confidence.


    Motorola's Continued Excellence, March 22, 2007
By L. Winkler (Nebraska)
The Cable Modem Gateway performed as advertised right out of the box.
Setup was easy and connection to the internet was established on the
first try. Once connected, the wireless capability was established
and has performed beautifully since then.

A truly superior product!


    Motorola SBG900 Wireless Cable Modem Gateway, March 21, 2007
By M. Harris
I had tons of trouble with D-Link and Linksys losing connection and having to power cycle the router/wireless AP. However, after 2 months, I have not had to power cycle the Motorola once due to inability to connect. I am also saving $3/month since this device has the integrated cable modem. That alone has justified my decision since I am no longer having to pay Comcast those monies!

    Two products in one and behaves like a charm!, March 21, 2007
By Happy wireless user (Boston)
I have Comcast for IP provider and had a Linksys Wirelss G router - trying to pair with a DLink cable modem. It would not work and I had more headaches that anything. I know it was not the Linksys product since it had worked with a rented Motorola modem just fine. After too many problems to discuss, I gave up - ordered this product and have a perfectly working, EASY TO CONFIGURE wireless network. Thanks - I should have done this ages ago!

    Very Happy, March 15, 2007
By AB (USA)
Very simple to use; came with ethernet and USB cables just in case; easy to set up WEP encryption. I was annoyed that the user guide was on CD only (no hard copy) but not really a big deal. I'm happy with this purchase. Works well and takes up less space than a modem/router combo.

    Easy setup and great value, February 28, 2007
By Jacques Moraille
I have a Windows XP Desktop, an HP Photosmart All-in-One C5180 Printer (with Ethernet Networking capability) and a new Laptop with Windows Vista.

I installed the modem software on my desktop and the CD walks you thrugh the setup step by step. I have the printer plugged into the Ethernet port, my computer plugged into the USB Port and my laptop came with a wireless card. Now I have a wireless internet and printing capabilities on my laptop with a network setup, all with one piece of equipment!

So far the modem has performed beautifully. The firewall setup is controlled online. Just make sure your firewall does not prevent current and future software installations.

Overall a great buy.


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