Motorola MB8600 is the latest device of the new generation of cable modems to join the DOCSIS 3.1 group (together with Arris SB8200 and Netgear CM1000) and in addition to up to 32 SCQAM (DOCSIS 3.0) or two OFDM (DOCSIS 3.1) bound channels that allow you to take advantage of the best and fastest Internet speed available from your service provider, it also brings with it some unique elements, such as. the four Gigabit Ethernet ports (which similar to Arris SB8200 can be used for link aggregation in the future) and the active queue management (AQM), which has the task of keeping latency low.
Although it uses the Motorola name, the MB8600 was actually manufactured by Zoom, a highly respected networking company, but the Motorola name seems to attract a lot of customers because it is a more trustworthy brand.
It is interesting to see that Zoom decided not to include its own brand name and simply kept the modem as Motorola (it can only use it for 5 years), while Arris made an association between its own modem line and the Motorola name (for example, Motorola ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 ). Despite this, Zoom has developed solid cable modems over the years (and it has stayed away from the Puma 6 incident). So, let’s see how the Motorola MB8600 behaves.
UPDATE 14.04.2018: The Motorola MB8600 with firmware code version 8600-6.1.1.19 has added the spectrum analyzer again and now supports LAG functions (Link Aggregation Group) – special thanks to Jacki for the hint.
Design
If you are familiar with the Motorola Arris cable modem line, you know that Zoom’s Motorola modems are completely different-looking devices (they have retained only the logo and possibly the colorful back cover) and it seems that the manufacturer has also distanced itself from the previous Zoom cable modems modems by a completely new design. So, the MB8600 has a sturdy elliptical-cylindrical plastic case with soft rounded corners (obviously) and while the main body is covered with a gray matte surface, there is a narrower top and a thicker bottom (this is really a built-in stand ), which are covered with a glossy black surface.
The right, left and top sides of the MB8600 are generously covered with many recesses to ensure proper airflow. This is an important step to keep the device cool (and thus ensure its longevity) and through the side ventilation holes you can actually see the internal circuits (so it is clear that Zoom did not leave an unused interior) .
If you are familiar with the palm-sized Arris modems, you should know that the MB8600 is a larger device (measures 7.0 x 7.2 x 2.2 inches) and is reasonably heavy to ensure proper stability (it weighs 18.4 ounces, which is still more than the Netgear CM1000 weighs). The device can only be placed on a desk or a flat surface, without the possibility of mounting it on the wall (it is true that Arris SB8200 can be mounted on a wall, but it is not really an advantage, since it covers a significant number of ventilation holes and therefore makes it run hotter).
Motorola MB8600 is not really a cheerful device, but along with the CM1000 it is a more elegant cable modem, and this is reinforced by the shiny front area, on which five LED lights are located before, indicating the status of the power supply (green means that the device is on), downstream (when the LED flashes green, the modem is looking for a channel located downstream, while when it is permanently green, it is connected to a channel; when the LED flashes blue, the modem negotiates connected channels and when it is permanently lit blue, it is connected to two or more channels), upstream (similar to the downstream LED, but for upstream channels), online (permanent green means a DOCSIS 3.0 connection, while permanent blue means a DOCSIS 3.1 connection), LAN (flashing means activity, permanent green means that the Ethernet ports are connected but not connected and finally permanent blue indicates that the ports are connected and connected). The LEDs do not illuminate the room at night.
