Both of the contenders meet the 3.0 DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) standard which ensures tremendous speed that would take online gaming and HD streaming to its maximum potential.
Both of them meet the latest IPv6 internet standard for maximum network addressing and security.
These devices do not contain a built-in router.
Table of Contents
Main differences/similarities between these Modems:
- Both of the contenders meet the DOCSIS 3.0 and IPv6 standards.
- Both of them are certified by almost all the internet service providers.
- MB7621 would provide relatively faster speed than its competitor due to having more bonding channels.
- Both of them have only two interfaces, cable interface, and network interface.SB6183 is equipped with Broadcom’s chipset while its competitor has Intel Puma’s chipset.MB7621 is costlier than its competitor.
The Arris SB6183 provides up to 686 Mbps downloading and 131 Mbps uploading speed. This is because of having 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels for bonding respectively. It contains a Broadcom chipset to ensure the safest data encryption.
On the other hand, the Motorola MB7621 provides up to 1029 Mbps downloading and 246 Mbps uploading speed. This is because of having more bonding channels. It provides 24 and 8 downstream and upstream channels respectively. It has a chipset of Intel Puma.
Compared to Arris SB6183, the Motorola MB7621 is much faster because of having more bonding channels which is also the reason for its high cost. But the chipset in SB6183 is more reliable than its competitor in terms of providing high throughput and advanced security.
Side By Side Comparison
| General Specifications | Arris Surfboard SB6183 | Motorola MB7621 |
| DOCSIS | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Downstream channels × Upstream channels | 16 × 4 | 24 × 8 |
| Download Speed (Mbps) | 686 | 1029 |
| Upload Speed (Mbps) | 131 | 246 |
| Ethernet ports | 1 × Gigabit | 1 × Gigabit |
| Modem Router | No | No |
| Chipset | Broadcom | Intel Puma |
Design and Hardware
SB6183 is a vertically designed cable modem without having an in-built router.
On its rear side, it has three connectors namely power connector, Ethernet connection, and coaxial cable connection.
A well-established chipset of Broadcom is being installed in it. On its front side, there are LED indicators that show us the internet status of the modem.
Similar to its competitor, Motorola MB7621 is also a vertically designed cable modem and does not have a built-in router. Unlike its competitor, its chipset is being made by Intel Puma.
Its front side has LED indicators to show its status.
While on rear side, there are three connectors to connect Ethernet cable, coax cable, and power cable, along with a reset button and a switch to turn it ON/OFF.
Motorola MB7621 is comparatively larger than its competitor but is light weighted. Its shining grey color and elliptical base makes it look more enchanting.
Also, Broadcom chipset in Arris SB6183 is more reliable in terms of managing and encoding data compared to its counterpart.
| Parameters | Arris Surfboard SB6183 | Motorola MB7621 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5 (h) x 2.1 (w) x 5 (l) | 7 ⅞ (h) × 2 ¼ (w) x 7 ¼ (l) |
| Status Indicating LEDs | Power, Receive, Send, Online | Power, Downstream, Upstream, Online, LAN |
| Ethernet Ports | 1 | 1 |
| Color | White | Grey |
| Built-in router | No | No |
| Weight (Ounces) | 1.41 | 1.1 |
| Operating Temperature, ° C | 0 to 40 | 0 to 40 |
| Power Input | 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz | 100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz |
Compatibility of both:
Both of them meet the network protocol standard IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) which means that they would provide infinite number of addresses.
And both of them also meet the standard of SNMP v3 (Simple Network Management Protocol) which means they would provide secure data encryption and management.
Both of the contenders are approved by almost all the internet service providers around the globe including Xfinity Comcast, Cox and Charter, which are considered to be major brands in USA.
Besides being compatible with Personal Computers and Macintosh, both of them can be connected to your home network as well by the means of Ethernet port.
| Parameters | Arris Surfboard SB6183 | Motorola MB7621 |
| Network Protocol | IPv4, IPv6 | IPv4, IPv6, TCP, HTTP, UDP, ARP, ICMP, FTP, TFTP, DHCP, SNMP |
| Application Protocol | SNMP v2 & v3 | SNMP v1/v2/v3 |
| Internet Service providers | Xfinity Comcast, Cox, Charter and many others | Xfinity Comcast, Cox, Charter and many others |
| Macintosh | Power PC or later; OS 10 or higher | Power PC or later; OS 10 or higher |
| Home Networking | Via Ethernet Port | Via Ethernet Port |
Bonded Channels Performance
Multiple channels are being combined by cable modems so that they can carry more data.
Arris SB6183 has 16 downstream channels while 4 upstream channels which means it can download data 4 times more than it can upload it.
On the other hand, Motorola MB7621 has 24 downstream channels while 8 upstream channels.
It is obvious that Motorola MB7621 would provide better data transfer since its downstream and upstream channels are superior to its competitor.
Which modem has a better data rate?
The rate at which the data is being transferred over the internet is known as the data rate.
If data is being sent to another user with a different IP address, then it is known as upstream data transfer.
And the rate at which the data is being sent would be known as upstream data rate.
Similarly, if we are receiving data from some other user with a different IP address, then it is called as downstream data transfer.
And the rate at which it is being received is known as downstream data rate.
Since both the upstream and downstream channels of Motorola MB7621 are comparatively higher than Arris SB6183, it is only natural for it to have high data rates.
| Parameters | Arris Surfboard SB6183 | Motorola MB7621 |
| Downstream data rate | 686 | 1029 |
| Upstream data rate | 131 | 246 |
Modulation of both devices:
By adding information into an electronic carrier signal, we can convert data into radio waves, this is known as modulation. Its purpose is to increase the bandwidth so more amount of data can be carried out.
Quadrature Amplitude Modulation is a type of modulation which uses both phase and amplitude of a wave carrier to enhance the data carriage capability.
Both of the contenders are on equal ground when it comes to either upstream modulation or downstream modulation.
| Parameters | Arris Surfboard SB6183 | Motorola MB7621 |
| Downstream Modulation | 64 or 256 QAM | 64 or 256 QAM |
| Upstream Modulation | QPSK and 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 QAM | QPSK and 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 QAM |