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1. 12 TROUBLESHOOTINGCG 13 SERVICE INFORMATION 14 QUICK REFERENCE 15 FCC INFORAATION 17 GLOSSARY usus uuu iu h u isu Aen 18 INTRODUCTION CABLE AODEA FEATURES e Capable of receiving data at rates of up to 3000K Mbps 3 Megabits second over 100 times faster than 56K e Ability to send and receive data over the cable line e Plug and play operation for easy setup and installation e Compliance to DOCSIS specification see page 12 e ON OFF Button to put the Ethernet port in standby mode e Email waiting notification capability Diagnostics via LED or HTTP server e Ability to receive automatic software updates if initiated by your cable company The following may affect the speed of your cable modem your computer equipment and configuration processor speed amount of RAM available disk space the number of programs you are running at the same time the capacity of your ISP network traffic levels the number of Ethernet or USB devices in use on your computer Your cable company may or may not fully support the speed capabilites of this modem COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS e Personal computer with the following minimum system requirements note that the minimum requirements may va
2. SAFETY INFORMATION CAUTION Disconnect power before servicing CAUTION To ensure reliable operation and to prevent overheating provide adequate ventilation for this modem and keep it away from heat sources Do not locate near heat registers or other heat producing equipment Provide for free air flow around the cable modem and its power supply CABLE INSTALLER This reminder is provided to call your attention to Article 820 40 of the National Electrical Code Section 54 of the Canadian Electrical Code Part 1 which provides guidelines for proper grounding and in particular specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building as close to the point of cable entry as practical DOCSIS COMPLIANT This product was designed according to Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications It will operate on any DOCSIS compliant Hybrid Fiber Coax HFC cable system and offers DOCSIS Baseline Privacy to promote secure internet transactions If you purchased this product at a retail outlet please read the following Product Registration Please fill out the product registration card that came with this modem and return it immediately Returning the card allows us to contact you if needed Keep your sales receipt to obtain warranty parts and service and for proof of purchase Attach it here and record the serial and model numbers in case you need them The numbers are located on the back
3. the RCA DCM will work with virtually all upgraded cable systems in North America because it is DOCSIS compliant Monthly subscription fee applies Additional equipment required Contact your cable company and ISP for any restrictions or additional fees 12 TROUBLESHOOTING NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I PRESS THE ON OFF BUTTON e sure that the AC adapter is fully plugged into a wall outlet e sure that the power supply cord is fully inserted into the AC adapter connection on the back of the modem e Double check that the AC outlet you are using is not controlled by a switch that is turned off ALL OF THE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING IN SEQUENCE e This means the cable modem is automatically updating its system software Please wait for the lights to stop flashing The updating process typically lasts less than one minute e Do not remove the power supply or reset the cable modem during this process THE LIGHT LABELLED EMAIL IS FLASHING e This means you have new mail to check THE LIGHT LABELLED EMAIL DOES NOT FLASH e This may mean that your service provider does not offer this feature I CAN T GET THE MODEM TO ESTABLISH AN ETHERNET CONNECTION e Even new computers don t always have Ethernet capabilities be sure to verify that your computer has a properly installed Ethernet card and the driver software to support it e Check to see that you are using the right type of Ethernet cable see page 6 THE MODEM
4. of the modem Model No Serial No Purchase Date Dealer Address Phone TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 2 Cable Modem Features 2 Computer Requirements 2 CABLE MODEM 3 Cable Internet Service Requirements 3 What The Modem Does eee 3 What The Modem Needs To Do Its Job 3 The Right Cable 3 The Internet Service Provider ISP 3 BEFORE YOU BEGIN 4 Contact Your Local Cable Company 4 CONNECTING THE CABLE MODEM 5 ACTIVATING THE CABLE MODEM 8 Initialization Mode aaa 8 USING THE CABLE 9 fVigrelzme P 9 Light Indicators Operational Mode 9 Reset SWITCH s ctii etr eve ta E eoo grs E Un ar AUE FAS 10 Other Status Lights rene Eee 11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
5. twisted pair cable with an RJ 45 connector used with Ethernet LAN Local Area Network 10 indicates speed 10 Mbps Base refers to baseband technology and T means twisted pair cable DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol A protocol which allows a server to dynamically assign IP addresses to workstations on the fly DOCSIS Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications A project with the objective of developing a set of necessary specifications and operations support interface specifications for cable modems and associated equipment Ethernet card A plug in circuit board installed in an expansion slot of a personal computer The Ethernet card sometimes called a Network Interface Card or NIC takes parallel data from the computer converts it to serial data puts it into a packet format and sends it over the 10BaseT LAN cable F Connector A type of coaxial connector labeled CABLE IN on the rear of the Cable Modem that connects the modem to the cable system HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol Invisible to the user HTTP is used by servers and clients to communicate and display information on a client browser Hub A device used to connect multiple computers to the cable modem IP Address A unique 32 bit address assigned to every device in a network An IP Internet Protocol address has two parts a network address and a host address This modem receives a new IP address from your cable operator
6. via DHCP each time it goes through Initialization Mode MAC Address The permanent identity for a device as it programmed into the Media Access Control layer in the network architecture during the modem s manufacture Network Driver A file that is loaded on the computer to allow the computer to recognize the Ethernet card TCP IP Transmission Control Protocol Internet Protocol A networking protocol that provides communication across interconnected networks between computers with diverse hardware architectures and various operating systems 18 THOMSON CONSUMER ELECTRONICS 10330 North Meridian Street Indianapolis IN 46290 2000 Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc Trademark s Registered Printed in USA Marque s d pos e s Imprim aux Etats Unis Marca s Registrada s Impreso en los Estados Unidos n I pen PRINTED WITH aw MINIMUM 20 POST SOY ink CONSUMER wy 60 PAPIER RECYCLE A mE 2 AU MINIMUM em 20 POSTCONSOMMATION 60 PAPEL RECICLADO r PAPEL RECICLADO lt gt 20 M NIMO POST JETA CONSUMIDOR TOCOM 15558260
7. B preferred Mac OS 7 5 3 or higher Minimum 31MB 69MB preferred VGA or better SVGA built in preferred 3 5 High Density CD ROM preferred 10BaseT or 100BaseT Thomson Qa AC Adapter Cable NOTE Use only the Thomson power supply that accompanied this unit Using other adapters may damage the unit 15 QUICK REFERENCE BUTTONS On Off Turns the modem on or puts it in stand by mode Placing the cable modem in stand by mode the off position allows for continued status monitoring from the cable network Do not press this button when transmitting data over the internet The information will be lost along with your ethernet connection LIGHT INDICATORS Power Indicates whether cable modem is in active or stand by mode The light is off when the modem is in stand by mode and on when the power is activated POC Link Indicates whether the Ethernet connection is active ready to transmit receive or actually transmitting receiving The light is off when no Ethernet carrier is present or the modem is in stand by mode on when the Ethernet carrier is present but there s no transmit receive activity and flashing when there is Ethernet transmit receive activity e Cable Indicates the status of your cable connection The light is off when no cable connection is detected or the modem is in stand by mode and fully lit when the modem is reg
8. E CABLE MODEM Connecting More Than One Computer to the Cable Modem You ll need the following equipment Crossover wired or null category 5 Ethernet cable e 10BaseT or 100BaseT Hub or Switch e Straight through or standard category 5 Ethernet cable one for each computer to be connected If you have a hub with an uplink port a straight through cable can be used in combination with that port in lieu of the crossover cable An uplink port has a small switch on it to change the polarity of the connection It can accept either a cross over or a straight depending on the setting ACTIVATING THE CABLE MODEM INITIALIZATION MODE After you install the cable modem and turn it on for the first time and each time the modem is reconnected to the power it goes through five steps before it can be used Each of these steps is represented by a different pattern of flashing lights on the front of the modem Note that all LEDs will flash prior to the initialization sequence 1 Tuning The cable modem is functional and searching for a downstream cable modem service channel on your cable system 2 Ranging The modem is now tuned to a downstream cable modem channel and can now receive data Now it searches for an upstream channel so that it can send data 3 Connecting The cable modem is now communicating start up data both downstre
9. WON T REGISTER A CABLE CONNECTION CABLE LIGHT NOT ON CONTINUOUSLY e Ifthe modem is in Initialization Mode the Power Light will be flashing Call your Cable company if it has not completed this 5 step process within 30 minutes and note which step it is getting stuck on See page 8 for details modem should work with a standard RG 6 coaxial cable but if you re using a cable other than one your cable company recommends or if the terminal connections are loose it may not work Check with your cable company to determine whether you re using the correct cable e Ifyou subscribe to video service over cable the cable signal may be reaching the modem Confirm that good quality cable television pictures are available to the coaxial connector you are using by connecting a television to it If your cable outlet is dead call your Cable company e Verify that the cable modem service is DOCSIS compliant by calling your cable provider I CAN T ACCESS THE INTERNET OR MY EMAIL e Check all of the connections to your cable modem e Your Ethernet may not be working Check it s documentation for more information e The Network Properties of your operating system may not be installed correctly or the settings may be incorrect Check with your ISP or cable company For more Usage and Troubleshooting Tips go to http www cable modem rca com help 13 SERVICE INFORMATION If you purchased or leased your cable modem directly fr
10. am and upstream The cable company is establishing IP connectivity with your modem 4 Configuring The cable modem received its IP address and is downloading its configuration file from the ISP 5 Registering The cable modem configuration is complete It is registering its as configured settings with your Cable Operator Once complete the lights will stop flashing and the modem will enter Operational Mode 8 Legend H off m On X Flashing USING THE CABLE MODEM BUTTONS On Off Turns the modem on or puts it in stand by mode Placing the cable modem in stand by mode the off position allows for continued status monitoring from the cable network This also disconnects your computer from the Internet for added security Do not press this button when transmitting data over the internet The information will be lost along with your Internet connection LIGHT INDICATORS OPERATIONAL ODE Power Indicates whether cable modem is in active or stand by mode The light is off when the modem is in stand by mode and on when the power is activated and in the operational mode e PCLink Indicates whether the Ethernet connection is active ready to transmit receive or actually transmitting receiving The light is off when no Ethernet carrier is present or the modem is in stand by mode on when the Ethernet carrier is present but ther
11. deo signals WHAT THE MODEM NEEDS TO DO ITS JOB THE RIGHT CABLE COMPANY Make sure your local cable company provides data services that use cable TV industry standard DOCSIS technology THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER ISP Your cable company gives you access to an Internet Service Provider ISP The ISP is your gateway to the Internet It provides you with a pipeline to access Internet content on the World Wide Web WWW Check with your cable company to make sure you have everything you need to begin they ll know if you need to install special software or reconfigure your computer to make your cable internet service work for you BEFORE YOU BEGIN CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CABLE COAPANY You will need to contact your cable company to establish an Internet account before you can use your modem You should have the following information which you will find on the sticker on the modem ready The serial number The model number of the modem The Media Access Control MAC address Il l ill II Record your information here SN XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Serial Number MODEL DCMXXX Model Number MAC 001095XXXXXX MAC Address PLEASE VERIFY THE FOLLOWING WITH THE CABLE COMPAN Y e cable service to your home supports DOCSIS compliant two way modem access e Your Internet account has been set e You have a cable outlet near your PC and it is ready for cable modem service CAUTION Your cable compa
12. e s no transmit receive activity and flashing when there is Ethernet transmit receive activity e Cable Indicates the status of your cable connection The light is off when no cable connection is detected or the modem is in stand by mode and fully lit when the modem is registered with the network and data can be sent e Activity Indicates the existence of data traffic in the cable lines The light is off when no data traffic is present and flashing when data activity exists Email This light flashes when you have mail Check with your service provider to make sure they offer this feature Note If all of the lights are flashing sequentially it means the cable modem is automatically updating its system software Please wait for the lights to stop flashing Do not remove the power supply or reset the cable modem during this process USING THE CABLE MODEM RESET SWITCH switch can be found behind a toothpick hole on the back panel It performs two functions 1 Basic Reset Press and release the switch to make it perform the same function as disconnecting the power from the modem It will start up again in Initialization Mode 13NY3H13 2 Factory Default Reset Unplug the modem from the AC power Press and hold the reset switch while plugging the modem into AC power Continue holding the button Release the b
13. istered with the network and data can be sent e Activity Indicates the existence of data traffic in the cable lines The light is off when no data traffic is present and flashing when data activity exists Email This light flashes when you have mail Check with your service provider to make sure they offer this feature 16 9J9H ee SS U m T n FCC INFORMATION FCC DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY AND INDUSTRY CANADA INFORMATION FCC Regulations state that unauthorized changes or modifications to this equipment may void the user s authority to operate it This device complies with part 15 of FCC Rules Operation is subject to the following two conditions 1 This device may not cause harmful interference and 2 This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference Causing Equipment Regulations This equipment has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B Digital Device in accordance with the specifications in Part 15 of the FCC rules These rules are designed to provide reasonable protections against radio and television interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause ha
14. ny should always be consulted before installing a new cable outlet Do not attempt any rewiring without contacting your cable company first CONNECTING THE CABLE MODEM NOTE It is important to supply power to the modem at all times Keeping your modem plugged in will keep it connected to the Internet This means that it will always be ready when you are To disconnect just your computer from the Internet use the ON OFF button to put the modem in stand by mode Written installation instructions appear on the following page Cable In Coaxial Cable NOTE Use only the Thomson power supply that accompanied this unit Using other adapters may damage the unit CONNECTING THE CABLE MODEM You need three cables to make the necessary connections e Ethernet cable Make sure that this cable is straight wired not null or crossover wired However you will need a crossover type cable if you are connecting the modem to a hub or a hub within a port switch that provides the same function e AC adapter provided with your cable modem e standard RG 6 coaxial cable or one recommended by your Cable Operator Connecting The Cable Modem To A Single Computer Make the connections to the modem in the following sequence 1 Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall and the other end to the connector on the modem labeled Cable In 2 a Insert the
15. om your cable company then warranty service for the cable modem may be provided through your cable provider or its authorized representative For information on Order Service e Obtaining Customer Support e Additional Service Information Please contact your cable company If you purchased your cable modem through a retailer see the enclosed RCA limited warranty 14 QUICK REFERENCE System RAM Operating System Linux Floppy Drive Ethernet 1 Connect one end of the coaxial cable to the cable connection in the wall and the other end to the connector on the modem labeled Cable In 2 a Insert the plug from the AC adapter into the Power AC Adapter jack on the cable modem b Insert the power cord into the AC adapter and then plug into an AC outlet 3 Connect one end of the Ethernet cable straight wired see above to the Ethernet port on the back of your computer and the other end to the connector labeled Ethernet on the cable modem s back panel Detach Here CPU Pentium preferred 16MB 32MB preferred Windows 95 98 2000 NT Available Disk Space Minimum 45MB 90MB preferred Video VGA or better SVGA preferred 3 5 High Density CD ROM preferred 10BaseT or 100BaseT MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS IBM PC COMPATIBLE MACINTOSH PowerPC or higher 16MB 24M
16. plug from the AC adapter into the Power AC Adapter jack on the cable modem b Insert the power cord into the AC adapter and then plug into an AC outlet NOTE Use only the Thomson power supply that accompanied this unit Using other adapters may damage the unit 3 Connect one end of the Ethernet cable straight wired see above to the Ethernet port on the back of your computer and the other end to the connector labeled Ethernet on the cable modem s back panel Alternatively a USB to Ethernet adapter will allow you to connect this modem to your computer s USB port 4 Insert the RCA CD ROM into your CD ROM drive to view troubleshooting tips the internal diagnostics and other valuable information CD ROM Contents Links to RCA web sites Electronic file of this Instruction Book Usage and troubleshooting tips Information about other RCA products Third party application software Accessing the Diagnostics Display through the CD ROM A button on the CD ROM menu called Look at Diagnostics found under the About My Cable Modem menu launches your browser and displays status and diagnostic information stored within the modem in HTML format Please note that before this page can be displayed your PC must receive an IP address assignment from the Cable company s server over the cable network After the diagnostics page is displayed you may want to bookmark this IP address in your browser CONNECTING TH
17. rmful interference to radio communications However there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception which you can determine by turning the equipment off and on try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna that is the antenna for the radio or television that is receiving the interference Change the position of the Cable Modem with respect to the radio or television equipment that is receiving interference Move the Cable Modem away from the equipment that is receiving interference Plug the Cable Modem into a different wall outlet so that the Cable Modem and the equipment receiving interference are on different branch circuits If these measures do not eliminate the interference please consult your dealer or an experienced radio television technician for additional suggestions Also the Federal Communications Commission has prepared a helpful booklet How To Identify and Resolve Radio TV Interference Problems This booklet is available from the U S Government Printing Office Washington D C 20402 Please specify stock number 004 000 00345 4 when ordering copies For more information on FCC conformity Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc 10330 N Meridian St Indianapolis IN 46290 1 800 587 5850 17 GLOSSARY 10BaseT Unshielded
18. ry by cable company IBM PC COMPATIBLE MACINTOSH CPU Pentium preferred PowerPC or higher System RAM 16MB 32MB preferred 16MB 24MB preferred Operating System Windows 95 98 2000 NT Mac OS 7 5 3 or higher Linux Available Disk Space Minimum 45MB 90MB preferred Minimum 31MB 69MB preferred Video VGA or better SVGA preferred VGA or better SVGA built in preferred Floppy Drive 3 5 High Density CD ROM preferred 3 5 High Density CD ROM preferred Ethernet 10BaseT or 100BaseT 10BaseT or 100BaseT An Ethernet card makes it possible for your computer to pass data to and from the internet You must have an Ethernet card and software drivers installed in your computer You will also need a standard Ethernet cable to connect the Ethernet card to your cable modem Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft Corporation Macintosh and the Mac OS are trademarks of Apple Computer Inc CABLE MODEM OVERVIEW CABLE INTERNET SERVICE REQUIREMENTS e Cable company that offers DOCSIS compliant internet services Computer Cable Cable Company Internet Modem Internet Service Provider WHAT THE MODEM DOES The RCA Digital Cable Modem serves as a two way high speed bridge between your personal computer and a cable Internet Service Provider ISP It converts information that originates from the Internet or your computer into electronic messages that can be transported over the same wires your cable company uses to transport vi
19. ur cable ISP o How does the RCA DCM connect to my computer A Ifyou have a computer that meets the minimum system requirements shown in this book you re all set The RCA modem connects to your computer s 10BaseT or 100BaseT Ethernet port If your computer is not equipped with an Ethernet interface an Ethernet card is available from your local retailer or your cable provider Alternatively a USB to Ethernet adapter will allow you to connect this modem to your computer s USB port Q Once my DCM is connected how do get access to the internet A Your local cable company provides your Internet Service offering a wide range of services including email chat and news and information services and a connection to the world wide web Q Can watch TV and surf the internet at the same time A Absolutely And your phone line won t be tied up while you re online Q Can I run more than one computer on the modem A Yes single DCM can support up to 32 computers Q What do you mean by broadband A Simply put it means you ll be getting information through a bigger pipe with more bandwidth than a standard phone line can offer A wider broader band means more information more quickly Q What is DOCSIS and what does it mean A Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications is the industry standard that virtually all cable companies are adopting as they upgrade their systems Should you ever decide to move
20. utton when all lights come on 13539 about 6 seconds This will return the modem to a factory out of box condition This should only be done if the cable modem has been taken out of service in one location and is being reconnected to a different service or if instructed to do so by your cable company udidvav OV H3MOd 10 USING THE CABLE MODEM OTHER STATUS LIGHTS Three other status light patterns you may see are De Activated Cable Service Operator has de activated the cable modem The Cable Light flashes slowly sequentially from top to bottom g fh Xe og f 12 Software downloading or update in progress Lights flash All lights are off The Cable Modem is in Standby Mode or is not receiving AC power 11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What if don t subscribe to cable TV If cable TV is available in your area data service may be made available with or without cable TV service Contact your local cable company for complete information on cable services including high speed internet access o Q How dol get the system installed A Professional installation from your cable provider is strongly recommended They will ensure proper cable connection to the modem and your computer However your retailer may have offered a self installation kit including the necessary software to communicate with yo

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