It’s a device that allows high speed internet access using a cable fiber optic and coaxial cable network. It is used in place of a telephone modem.

It works just like a standard telephone modem. It sends and receives data from the internet, but it does it much faster.

Since the cable modem connects to the internet using the coaxial cable and fiber optic systems of the cable TV system, it’s more cost effective than telephone connections to the internet. It allows subscribers to stay online all the time; no more “dropped” connections and it’s much faster. Your telephone line is freed up for normal voice communications.

If you have more than one computer, all of them can use the same cable modem thru a network or wireless router

To troubleshoot your connection:

Look at your modem box (the top 4 lights should be green to show you have power and a live connection to the internet.) ·
If all 4 lights are out, check the “stand by’ button on the front o the modem to see if it has been inadvertently pressed. Check your connections to the modem (including the power cord and the power switch on your outlet power strip.) ·
If the cable is snug and all 4 lights are green but you still can’t access the internet, then turn off power to the modem for 15 seconds, then turn it back on.( The modem doesn’t have a power switch, so you will have to unplug it to turn off the power, then plug it back in.) This should reset the modem. It will take a few seconds to re-establish a connection. The top 4 lights will flash while the modem reconnects. If that still does not establish connection you can unplug all connections from the modem and reattach each in order. First the power, second the internet connection and lastly to your computer. ·
If you have 2 or more computers networked through a router, make sure the router is turned on and indicating linked computers. (Review the network router instructions to make sure it is working properly.) Sometimes turning the router off and then back on will reestablish a connection. ·
If the top light is green, but the next 3 are NOT lighted, check the coaxial cable connection to the modem to make sure it is plugged in all the way. If the plug is in tight, contact Southern Cable Network to report the problem.