NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30: ports, cable setup and specs
The CAX30 is a DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem and WiFi 6 router in one upright box. Every connection is on the back: the coax cable input, four gigabit LAN ports, one USB 3.0 port and the DC power input. Click any port on the panel below to see what it does.
- DOCSIS 3.1 cable modem
- AX2700 WiFi 6
- 4 x gigabit LAN
- LAN 1 + 2 aggregation
- USB 3.0
- Desktop, upright
CAX30 specifications
| Model | CAX30 |
| Cable modem | DOCSIS 3.1, also works on DOCSIS 3.0 (32x8) |
| WiFi | 802.11ax dual band, AX2700: 2.4 GHz up to 0.9 Gbps, 5 GHz up to 1.8 Gbps |
| LAN ports | 4 x gigabit Ethernet, ports 1 and 2 can be aggregated |
| USB | 1 x USB 3.0 |
| Processor | Dual-core 1.5 GHz |
| Power | 12 V, 3.5 A DC input, power adapter included |
| Dimensions | 254 x 211 x 110 mm (10.0 x 8.3 x 4.3 in.) |
| Weight | 0.95 kg (2.10 lb) |
| Security | SPI and NAT firewall, DoS prevention, WPA3, VPN support |
| Voice | Not compatible with cable provider home phone service |
Every port on the CAX30, explained
Click a card to light up those ports on the panel above.
Cable (coax) input1 on the panel
The round F-type connector marked Cable is the internet input. Screw the coax line from your cable wall outlet onto it. This is the modem side of the box, so there is no separate WAN Ethernet port.
4 gigabit LAN ports4 on the panel
Ports 1 to 4 are gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for wired devices or a switch.
Ports 1 and 2 are marked Aggregate. With link aggregation turned on, a NAS or switch that supports it can use both ports together for up to 2 Gbps.
USB 3.0 port1 on the panel
Plug in a USB hard drive to share files across your network with ReadyShare.
DC power input1 on the panel
The barrel socket at the bottom takes the included 12 V, 3.5 A power adapter.
No phone service. The CAX30 does not support cable provider home phone (voice) service. If your plan includes phone over cable, you need a modem with voice ports for that line.
What else is on the back
- Reset button is the small hole above the LAN ports.
- The unit stands upright on its built-in stand.
Using it with your cable provider
The CAX30 works with U.S. cable providers including Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox. NETGEAR lists it as certified on Xfinity plans up to 800 Mbps and on 1 Gbps Spectrum and Cox service. Check with your provider that customer-owned modems are allowed and that your area has DOCSIS 3.1. On a DOCSIS 3.0 network it still works, as a DOCSIS 3.0 modem.
- Connect the coax line from the wall to the Cable port.
- Plug in the power adapter and wait for the unit to start.
- Connect your phone to the CAX30 WiFi network and open the Nighthawk app. It walks you through setup.
- Activate the modem with your cable provider so it is allowed on their network.
Where it fits next to a rack
The CAX30 is a desktop unit, not rack gear. It stands upright, 254 mm (10 in.) tall and 110 mm (4.3 in.) wide, so in a rack it needs a shelf with at least 6U of clear height, and room for the coax and power cables behind it. Keep it out of a closed metal cabinet if you rely on its WiFi.
Wired to a switch. For a homelab, run LAN 1 (or LAN 1 and 2 aggregated) to your rack switch and leave the CAX30 in the open, where its WiFi reaches the house.
Frequently asked questions
Does the NETGEAR CAX30 have a WAN port?+
No Ethernet WAN. The internet comes in through the coax Cable port, because the cable modem is built in. All four Ethernet ports are LAN ports.
Can I aggregate ports on the CAX30?+
Yes. LAN ports 1 and 2 support link aggregation, so a NAS or switch that supports it can use both for up to 2 Gbps.
Does the CAX30 work with Xfinity and Spectrum?+
Yes. NETGEAR lists it as working with Xfinity, Spectrum and Cox. Always confirm with your provider that the modem is allowed on their network.
Does the CAX30 support cable phone service?+
No. It is not compatible with cable provider home phone (voice) service.
What power supply does the CAX30 use?+
The included 12 V, 3.5 A DC adapter, which plugs into the barrel socket at the bottom of the back panel.
How big is the CAX30?+
254 x 211 x 110 mm (10.0 x 8.3 x 4.3 in.) and 0.95 kg (2.10 lb).
Plan this cable modem router in your rack
The CAX30 is in the Netgear library for DaMatrix, with every port mapped so you can drag it into a rack, patch it and print the documentation.
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Summarized from the NETGEAR Nighthawk CAX30 data sheet. This page is a quick reference; check the full manual for safety warnings and model-specific limits.