if you need a solid no-frills cable modem that can keep pace with technology and be affordable , this DOCSIS 3.0 modem be the ticket . there be no firewall or other crap that need to be configure . it simply create a ethernet connection to the cable system . thus , you will need a router\/firewall of some kind . it work and work well . very reliable . I wish my router be as reliable as this modem be .