I just have the modem/router combo from Comcast. It is their premier unit for high speeds. I read somewhere that leaving it unplugged for a long period of time will change the IP address, but I don’t know how long that is, or even if having the ip address change is good or not.
Buy you a new modem/router before your free rent is up on that comcast modem…its a trick and they hope you dont catch it because most dont 
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I pay them $14 bucks a month for their equipment. I do plan on getting my own. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I am planning on moving so I really want to wait until I decide on where I am moving too and what equipment I may need. If I move to Montana. I may look into getting that StarLink system.
Good deal. They tried multiple times to get me on their new modem even offered me 1 year no rent and unlimited data. The trick is after 1 year all that goes away and charges kick in at $45 extra on your bill and the idea is you dont care and just keep paying.
yep…got my eye on starlink also. Price wise not counting initial purchase would be about the same for me…so we shall see
I never heard anything about doing that my router is on all the time. I use my ISPs modem but don’t rent the router I have a Netgear the only problem with that is if you don’t pay rent and need a service call you have to pay if you are renting you don’t. Another gimmick to get you to pay more. So do I need to turn off my router for some reason?
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All, and I mean all, the iptv providers will immediately suggest that as their primary weapon for buffering issues. Idk, if they are blowing smoke or not. I know if I think Comcast is throttling me, I will run a couple of speed checks using their site and then do a remote reboot. Usually, I will get some sort of pop-up message about them noticing I am having internet issues from them. Meaning that their system is coordinated with an individual’s trouble shooting and is monitoring accounts. I know this, though, after going through this process. All of a sudden, my speed is doing better than what the plan I pay for says I should have. lol
Unplugging, clear cache, and force stop all apps running in background, is the iptv go to response for just about any issue. 
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This may give you some insight as to how things work @ Comcast…
Their DHCP server ties your IP assignment to your “CPE” (customer premise equipment) … your PC or routers MAC address.
- You can “release” your lease. This is a specific DHCP client function (an explicit message is sent from your client to their server: not all servers are configured to act on/honor these, but Comcast does that I knew - most do). Then power off the CPE, wait X minutes (15 minutes seems to work for Comcast, last I checked) for their server to fully process or release it’s memory. Then as long as your client doesn’t request the same lease (it shouldn’t: it shouldn’t do a renewal, but do a new discovery)… you should get a new IP.
- You can change the MAC of the device getting the IP (your CPE).
Rebooting your modem does two things… presuming it’s not also your router (single, integrated device). First, it “bounces” your CPE’s Ethernet interface, which forces a DHCP renewal process to kickoff. Second, it clears any forwarding table information (layer 2: MAC’s)… allowing a new MAC to be used (replace an old).
If you do option 1 above, after you power off your CPE, I would power off your cable modem too. Wait 15+ minutes, power on your modem first. Wait a couple, then your CPE.
Resetting your modem also forces the modem to load a new config file, possibly introducing new speeds or provisioned capabilities. It’s not a bad practice to reset every few months, if it hasn’t lost power otherwise.
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The equipment I rent from Comcast is their “state-of-the-art” modem/router combo.
So as long as I have powered off the outlet for about 15-30 minutes. Then that should force a new ip address on the reboot, correct?
I used to do work for them & have asked some of their smart folks about this & to make a long story short…it may or it may not. Most of the time, mine stays the same…no matter how long I have it off. I’m not smart enough to totally understand the whys & why nots.
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all I know there is a reason an isp would prefer their equipment over yours and its not just about $$$…their is the control factor. So they market a new big shiney modem and hope you jump on it, ever gone fishin’ …Jus’ Sayin’ 
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I agree when I switched to my isp that I have now for fiber optic internet I wanted to use my own modem and they said there is nothing available commercialy that will work with them so they gave me there modem/router turned off the router part and I use my own router. I’d do agree to some extent that it definitely so they can monitor you. Now I pay for 100 mb and I have been keeping a eye on it and some time it is 105 and almost all day it’s around 50-60 I complained and they said it was my equipment and if I want they will come out and check for a service call of 100 bucks I know they are throttling but what can you do nothing
@Bigrich Do you have fiber to the house & then coax cable throughout your house…is that how you connect your modem? If so…there are plenty of modems you can buy that will work.
All, this may be a dumb question, but how can I use a smart plug to turn ON my modem/router combo if the internet is not activated until I get power to the modem/router combo? Should I just look into a mechanical timer instead of a smart one?
As smart plugs are part of your home network, & your home wifi is not putting out signal when unplugged…only some kind of autonomous device can turn it on for you…like a mechanical switch.
Altho, I do have a wifi thermostat that turns a smart plug on & off (for a space heater etc) but they work off of temperature settings…no idea if there is something out there that would work off of voice command or whatever.
Hey PF. Unless you could use say your cell phone Data to connect to the internet on this system when the internet is off I think you’ll need a mechanical timer.
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A smart plug connection via your cell network service, not your home…sounds possible if there is such an animal out there. 
Yep, that’s what i am thinking. I was just about ready to order a TP-Link Wi-Fi enabled smart plug and started thinking how is able to turn back on if there is no Wi-Fi yet. I am now looking at mechanical outlet timers. lol
Yeah, you can turn them off, but with no Wi-Fi then I would have to do it manually. Kinda defeats my purpose in getting a smart plug. lol… 
Sorry PF I was busy with a customer issue. There is such a device that’s why I suggested it.
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The fiber was installed from the Pole to a box on side of the house and right to the modem no cable in the house.
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Fader…I use gosund smart plugs to restart my router They are wifi and Timer/schedule enabled. No probs with restart as they are controlled by your phone even tho they operate on wifi your phone still has access.
I use the scheduler for daily re-boots
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