Your problem is definitely the modem. First, you saw it reboot on its own. And second, even the router saw that it physically disappeared, as shown in the above log entry.
ok so where in there does it show it???
and this is a brand new modem (bought to check to see if my other one newer as well was shot...)
is it possible that comcast is sabotaging these modems because i chose not to go their rental route??