ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 Review

The Arris Touchstone DG350 has managed to set itself apart as a high speed internet transmission gateway. It makes for an exceptional experience – so good that I decided to write a detailed review.

Few things manage to evoke a sense of child-like glee in me, and high speed internet happens to be one of them. A couple of years ago, I decided to replace my rented modem with the ARRIS SURFboard SB6190, and it did a stellar job of drastically improving the internet speeds in my home. The week before last, I decided to upgrade once again, and being an ARRIS fan, I went for the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450. Let’s just say I feel like a kid every time I’m home.

ARRIS Touchstone DG350 Breakdown and Review

Arris Touchstone DG3450 Cable Modem Wireless Gateway DOCSIS 3.1 with 802.11ac Wi-Fi & MoCA 2.0

• RF Interface: ‘F’ type connector
• Data Interfaces: 4 x 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)

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The ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 makes for an incredibly fast device when it comes to internet transmission in the home front. It boasts powerful features and amazing technologies, setting it higher than all its ARRIS SURFboard counterparts where performance is concerned. For starters, it uses the DOCSIS 3.1 technology which allows it the capacity to handle high speed transmission with ease. This technology is up to 8 times faster than the DOCSIS 2.0 which was used in the previous past.

When it comes to transmission speeds, the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 bears the capacity to deliver Gigabit speeds that peak at 2.5Gbps. To achieve this,this gateway device uses the 2 x 192MHz OFDM for downstream transmission and 2 x 96MHz OFDM for upstream transmissions. On top of this, it supports 32 X 8 channel bonding which results in 32 download channels and 8 upload channels.

With such technology, this gateway device becomes ideal for homes that use a data plan of up to 2.5Gbps. It supports a downstream data rate of 5Gbps and an upload data rate of up to 1Gbps. With this kind of performance, there is hardly any kind of internet related activity you will find impossible to accomplish.

Additionally, the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 supports all RDK-B based router stacks which allows for a fully portable, fully modular and customizable open source software. With this, you can standardize many core functions available in IoT devices, videos and broadband. The ARRIS Touchstone also supports flexible configuration and control with many remote and local access levels.

What we liked;

• Supports incredibly fast internet speeds
• Comes with many performance enhancing features
• Supports DOCSIS 3.1 technology
• Supports RDK-B based router stacks
• Comes with flexible configuration and control

What we did not like;

• It is an expensive device

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ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 Specifications

ARRIS Touchstone DB3450 Features

Design and Build

The ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 features an incredibly unique design that works well with most home décor. It has an almost triangular shape, but it has wide side panels and a flat top. You will notice that it is considerably larger than most gateway devices, measuring 9.33 inches high by 8 inches long by 2.87 inches wide. Even with its somewhat large size, its trim build makes slipping it into thin spacesquite easy. As an added advantage, it has a flat and large footprint that gives it good stability when set on a flat surface.

This gateway device features a simple yet sophisticated build. Its wide side panels have many miniature cut-outs that have a circular shape. They prove helpful in two ways; 1. They break the monotony of a large flat surface and 2. They help to keep the modem cum router cool at all times. This aspect goes a long way in ensuring your device does not sustain damage from heat, especially during intense activity and extremely hot conditions.

The front panel of the Touchstone has only 2 LED indicator lights, a welcome aspect for people who do not fancy tiny light, especially in the dark. One of them indicates internet connectivity while the other indicates Wi-Fi connectivity.

For internet connection, this gateway device is fitted with a coaxial port on the back panel. Additionally, it has 4 LAN ports that support Gigabit transmissions to such devices as your laptop and desktop computers, smart TVs, gaming consoles and other internet compatible devices. Interestingly, the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 supports port aggregation, a feature that allows users to combine two ports for double the speed. This means that two 2.5GB ports transmit a combined 5GB speed when aggregated.

Speed and Performance

The ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 sets itself above most other modems and routers when it comes to exceptional performance. Its high transmission speeds are largely attributed to its ability to support DOCSIS 3.1 technology which results in speeds that are up to 8 times faster than older technologies.

When it comes to speeds, the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 makes for a reliable gateway for homes that use a 1Gbps data plan. With this device, users experience speeds that reach an impressive 2.5Gbps download speeds and 1Gbps upload speeds. Interestingly, this modem cum router supports port aggregation that allows you to link two Gigabit ethernet ports that support 2.5Gbps speeds to reach a combined 5,000Mbps output.

These speeds are made possible by the device’s 32 x 8 channel bonding which provides 32 download channels and 8 upload channels. With this kind of performance, you can enjoy such activity as gaming across multiple consoles, 4K video streaming on many devices and the use of high consumption devices at the same time.

As an added advantage, the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 boasts a commendable degree of compatibility since it connects to most Internet Service Providers such as Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable, Xfinity and others. Bear in mind that each of these ISPs supports a different speed, meaning that the speed you experience is also largely determined by your Internet Service Providers.

Connectivity and User Friendliness

The ARRIS Touchstone DG23450 receives internet from the public domain via a coaxial cable at the back of the device. To power it ON/ OFF, plug the device into a power outlet then proceed to press the Power button on the back panel.

This device proves quite easy to operate since it comes with a downloadable mobile app. It boasts an incredibly simple user interface which ensures that even the least tech savvy find it easy to navigate and operate their ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 Gateway device.

Who is it best suited for?

Since the ARRIS Touchstone is a high speed transmission device for homes, it makes a great replacement for rented cable modems that are often times much slower and less reliable. It is made for people who would like to experience lightning fast speeds and also save a substantial amount of money while at it. If you have multiple gaming consoles and like to watch 4K videos on a regular, you will find that the ARRIS Touchstone will make for a reliable device.

Are there alternatives to the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450?

Most definitely. There are several devices in the market that are capable of matching up to the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450. As alternatives, you can use the Netgear CM1200, the ARRIS SURFboard SBG8300 and the Motorola MB8600. They are also high speed transmission devices made for the home front.

Features of alternative cable modem and gateway devices

Verdict: So, should you buy the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450?

You most definitely should. With this device, you are going to enjoy extremely high internet speeds in your home. High intensity activity such as high speed gaming and 4K video streaming on multiple devices will be an easy thing to do. Additionally, since this router acts as a replacement for rented modems, it saves you a good deal of money in the long run. While the initial cost may sound prohibitive, you will find that each coin spent will be worth it.

FAQS

1. Is the Netgear CM1200 also a gateway device?

No, it is not. The Netgear CM1200 does not have an in-built Wi-Fi router and only works as a cable modem.

2. How much does the ARRIS Touchstone DG3450 weigh?

This device has a weight of 0.88Kg (1.94 Lb.)