Connection to Motorola SB6141

[tt4me]

So, I've decided to ditch Comcast's modem for a Motorola SB6141.  Since the purchase of the A+, I have not had a drop of issues until now.  I installed and connected the new modem via a laptop plugged directly into the modem.  Connection worked fine.  Unplugged A+, plugged A+ into new modem using same cable as before, plugged A+ back in, and can not get A+ to get an IP.  Tested numerous variations of unplugged, replugging, cables, etc.

Then I turned to the forums, and found a topic on the Almond side where someone had the same issue until they put a 10/100 switch in the middle of the connection.  I tried the same, and all appears to be working well now.

I am on R069, and changed nothing on the router, other than rebooting.

I don't mind the switch in the middle, but am curious why it's needed.  I'm guessing that it has something to do with the A+ sensing the gigabit connection from the modem as stated in the other thread on the Almond.  Is this really still and issue?  Can it be fixed via software?

Link to Almond thread:  http://forum.securifi.com/index.php/topic,204

[jjoepaulines]

Then I turned to the forums, and found a topic on the Almond side where someone had the same issue until they put a 10/100 switch in the middle of the connection.  I tried the same, and all appears to be working well now.

       The issue that you faced was not related to that setup. It's related to the DHCP discover/Release handling on the A+ during the boot. We are working on this .

Unplugged A+, plugged A+ into new modem using same cable as before, plugged A+ back in, and can not get A+ to get an IP.  Tested numerous variations of unplugged, replugging, cables, etc.

            what you had tried ?
                           unplugged, replugging Ethernet cable ? or unplugged, replugging power cable ?

[tt4me]

Both. Unplugged power numerous times. Also unplugged Ethernet numerous times.

Glad to hear that it's a software issue and can be fixed.

Don't suppose there is any kind of ETA?

[jjoepaulines]

our next beta release will have a fix for controlling the "DHCP Release on boot" .

[moonray]

Having major issues with the SB6141 and Almond+ as well.

I first thought it was my modem that went dead, because at first it worked with the almond+ (but only at the 10/100 speed, not gigabit). After a day or two the modem started not connecting to Cox anymore, intermittently until it finally stopped connecting all together.

Today I plugged in my old linksys router and everything worked (and at gigabit speed, I might add).

It wasn't clear from the previous messages in this thread what the fix is (if any). Why won't Almond+ work properly with the SB6141?

[jjoepaulines]

@moonray : I would like to work with you on this .  Can you please email this to our support team ?

[cxhatch]

Same modem and same problems here too .  Had to roll back the firmware , but it is so bad I had to show my 10 year old how to reboot the router so he can get Netflix working when it messes up
 (which is most days  )

[tt4me]

OK, I have an update on my issue, but couldn't decide if it was worth posting.

Basically my issue is now a non-issue, but I don't know why.  Essentially I was changing up some various cabling for a number of things, and in the process decided that I really wanted to get the switch out of the middle, but mostly cause I'm bunny about wanting to see all blue lights vs one orange.  (Orange = 10/100 vs Blue = Gigabit)

So anyway.

I removed the switch.  Shut down (unplugged) the modem and the A+ for 10-20 minutes each.  Plugged in the modem, and gave it plenty of time (maybe 15 minutes) to boot and establish connection.  Then plugged in the A+ and gave it some time (maybe 10 minutes) to boot.  For whatever reason, it connected and negotiated just fine.

I was on R069 when I did all this, and have since upgraded to R069cb and all is still working well.

I honestly, don't know why it didn't work when I tried all this the first time, and I don't understand why it's working now, but it is, and I'm happy.  Comcast has their modem back, and my SB6141 is working without issue.  I'm still using all the same cables as before, so I know that's not an issue either.  Who knows.

All blue lights now.

Long story short is that the A+ can work with the SB6141 without going through a switch.