Are you looking for a modem that can align perfectly with your Gigabit internet connections? Well, if speed is one of your primary concerns, you simply cannot go wrong with the Motorola MB8611. A powerful, feature-packed, and future-proof cable modem, the MB8611 is specifically cut out for multi-gig internet plans.
If you are confused about whether the MB8611 is a good buy for 1Gig connections or not, let me shed some more light on this one-of-a-kind cable modem. After using this modem extensively as my primary device for 45 days and counting, I feel that I am in a better place to talk about its highlights, advantages, and misses.
Coming to the overalls, this is one of the few DOCSIS 3.1 powered modems in the market that is actually cut out for the high-speed, futuristic internet plans, as and when they arrive. And when I tested it with my 1000Mbps Comcast Xfinity internet plan, I could see how effective the choice was in terms of traffic prioritization, congestion management, and obviously throughputs.
- Technology: DOCSIS 3.1
- Downstream/Upstream: 32 x 8
- Max Data Speeds: Up to 1Gbps
- Ports: 1 x 2.5G Ethernet Slot
- Suitable Service Package: 1Gbps
- RAM: 512MB
- NAND Memory: 128MB
Contents
Motorola MB8611 Review: Should You Get it for Gigabit Connection?
MB8611 as a cable modem isn’t only about the speed it supports. Instead, there are several physical and intrinsic aspects to look at. In the subsequent sections, I shall unearth almost everything about Motorola’s high-end cable modem by reviewing every attribute and aspect I discovered.
Just so you know, it’s an upgrade to the Motorola MB8600 which was launched a long time back, but is still in demand due to the exceptional performance and speed capabilities. Imagine, what can you expect from the updated MB8611!
1. Design & Build
The aesthetics associated with the are pretty standard with this cable modem assuming a rectangular, plastic-clad form factor. Also, the weight for the same is set at a manageable 1.15 pounds, which furthers the portability quotient.
Coming to the dimensions, the modem measures 7.88 x 7.25 x 2.25 inches, making it one of the thicker options around. However, the well-ventilated layout more than makes up for the chunkier chassis by keeping it exceptionally cool, even under demanding circumstances.
Furthering the design-specific elements is the LED setup, with Motorola making way for five front-facing status reporting lights for accurately identifying network status. And that’s not it, there are two rear-adhering LEDs in play to report the status of the standalone ethernet port.
2. Ports & Connectivity
The port setup isn’t replete with options but with a 2.5Gbps port in play, you need not look for anything else. However, my only issue here is that the port doesn’t work to its potential unless there is a multi-gig internet plan in play.
The lack of additional Gig ethernet ports and link aggregation support can be an issue if you are into using two IPs to ramp up the internet speeds. Apart from that, there is a dedicated port in the rear for accommodating the coaxial input.
3. Compatibility with ISPs
While I tested this cable modem with Xfinity Comcast’s gig internet plan, you can connect with any ISP, including Cox, Spectrum, Charter, and more. Plus, this modem is known to work seamlessly with Comcast’s Business internet plan.
Adding to the compatibility is the refreshingly straightforward setup arrangement, allowing you to get the modem up and running within minutes.
4. Hardware & Technology
The hardware setup deserves a special mention with Motorola paving the way for a standard power-efficient Broadcom processor and 512MB of RAM to ensure minimal latency. And on top of that, there is 128MB of storage space to keep the firmware insights handy.
The hardware configuration brings in a wide range of possibilities for this cable modem. This includes ARM-powered performance boosts and the availability of the DOCSIS 3.1 connectivity standard.
While the DOCSIS 3.1 technology with 2 x 2 OFDM/OFDMA compatibility is a futuristic asset, the MB8611 is even backward compatible with the 32 x 8 channel bonding support offered by the DOCSIS 3.0 networking standard.
Adding to the tech stack is the AQM functionality for better traffic prioritization. This feature is expected to come in handy in professional setups and in regards to gaming.
Motorola MB8611: Wireless Compatibility and Speeds
If raw speeds are concerned, the MB8611 from Motorola is good enough to peak at 2.5Gbps. However, I could only muster a Gig internet plan to test the modem with and could reach max wireless speeds of up to 930Mbps. Wired speeds, however, were close to the Gig levels, signifying minimal attenuation.
Adding to the overall performance of is the availability of proactive circuitry that can handle power surges with ease. Plus, the modem supports IPv4 and IPv6 standards for better auto-configuration and dynamic QoS.
Motorola MB8611: Pros and Cons
- Minimal heating
- Easy to configure
- A massive chunk of RAM to cut through network congestion
- AQM support for minimal gaming latency
- Multi-Gig support
- Only one port
- No link aggregation support
Frequently Asked Questions
As a modem, Motorola MB8611 is compatible with a wide range of routers. However, you if want to pick one right away, any Netgear Nighthawk variant with max wireless speeds of up to 2Gbps, is a good option.
Yes, bolstered with Active Queue Management support and IPv6-powered QoS and prioritization, the Motorola MB8611 comes across as one of the better gaming modems around, as it keeps latency to a minimum.
Yes, you can use the MB8611 for low-speed cable internet plans, in case you are willing to maximize throughput by relying primarily on wired connections.
Verdict
Overall, the Motorola MB8611 is one of the more dependable multi-Gig cable modems around, best known for the future-proof connectivity standard and an enviable processing setup. And to top it all, this is one of the few devices to throw in surge protection support to increase the longevity of the internal circuitry, making it a great buying option.
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The Review Summary
Motorola MB8611 is a high-end DOCSIS 3.1 powered cable modem aimed at Gigabit connections. I used it for more than 45 days to experience and review it. The modem offers a single yet high-throughput capable 2.5Gbps ethernet port. The 32 downstream and 8 upstream channels make it even more powerful. But what makes it stand out from the rest is its power-efficient hardware setup.
Powering the MB8611 is 512MB of RAM, 128MB of NAND memory, and a Qualcomm Broadcom chipset. The cable modem also supports 2 x 2 OFDM/OFDMA functionality, allowing you to handle multiple devices easily. As for the design, Motorola offers a well-ventilated layout that helps in heat dissipation and better signal spread. Not to mention, it also has an LED indicator array in front.
The MB8611 is compatible with Cox, Spectrum, Xfinity, Midco, Sparklight, and Mediacom. Additionally, Motorola also stacks in AQM functionality to prioritize devices on the network. This can help if you want to experience lag-free gaming. That said, it also supports IPv4 and IPv6. Overall, this MB8611 is a future-proof modem that you can bring home or your office premise. It won’t make you regret it, ever.
It does not update by any one nor you can update it manually.I bought it 5 months ago and we have had issues due not update. Thanks
Updating has everything to do with your ISP provider. Most ISP providers inject firmware updates to these modems that are functional to what is necessary to work with the ISP network. This allows ease of access for most consumers, as its just easier for ISP CSR’s to instruct customers to simply do a power cycle on the device rather than ask them to tweak with settings they aren’t familiar with. ISP’s do have an advantage with this method, as they can continue to do firmware updates when necessary without customers getting involved.