PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
I have Xfinity internet service from Comcast, and all I've ever had is the Comcast gateway that they provided. Is there a better option for broadcasting my Wi-Fi that will give me better speeds?
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Better option than Comcast gateway.
- Thread starter PrinceCorwin
- Start date
RA_BH
Well-Known Member
from what this article says, probably -- depends on the exact specs of the gateway (modem/router combination, yes?):
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless80211/a/aa80211standard.htm
hth, RA
http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/wireless80211/a/aa80211standard.htm
hth, RA
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
Any actual Xfinity customers that have used a different option for better speeds can give me some specifics?
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
I remember when Android forms used to be a lot more helpful.
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
I wouldn't even know how to use a different channel. With the stock gateway that gave me all you do is plug it in hook it up to the wall and it does its thing. I guess I'll go do some research on the net.
Most likely any other router/access point device you buy will be set up out of the box the same way. I haven't set up a consumer grade device in a while, but if you can find one that scans the existing airwaves for traffic and recommends the best channel, that would be a good option.
Your xFinity gateway is actually three (or four) devices in one. Most people simply call them "routers". You have a modem, which takes the signal from the street and "modulates" it for ethernet traffic. (Modem stands for modulator/demodulator
). You then have the router aspect which takes the data packets and sends them somewhere based on the rules. Usually that is to accept packets from the WAN (Wide area network, or, as it applies to most consumers, the internet) and send them to the local subnet (your private home network) which are almost always IPv4 networks set to either a 10.1.x.x or 192.168.x.x IP schema. Next, you may have a switch too, if there is more than one RJ-44 jack on the back where you can plug a PC or laptop directly into the device, otherwise you'd have only a WAN and a LAN port. Finally there is the access point. This is the WiFi component of the device. It accepts or broadcasts the data packets as radio waves.
The WiFi radio signal can be either 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies and use different connection standards (That B,C,N business). The 2.4 GHz frequency has been in use for years and is common not only in wifi networks but also things like cordless phones, alarm systems, garage door openers, etc. Because it is a short-range, low priority protocol, you can have many devices in any given area all broadcasting on the same frequency and have them all function. With Wifi, however, you need to maintain a fairly constant connection so any rf interference from either a neighbor's network or their garage door opener can cause your signal to drop intermittently and reduce performance. The stronger or more populated the interference, the worse your performance will be. 5 GHz will be much less "noisy" in that regard, although you do see longer range 5 GHz cordless phones on the market.
If you see a device that is dual band, that means it broadcasts both at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but be advised that they will show up as different networks. As well as frequency, Wifi will also use discrete channels. 2.4 GHz used channels 1-13, 5 GHz, depending on what local regulations are, can go to 196.
Out of the box, consumer "routers" will set you up with a 192.168.x.x subnet and broadcast a 2.4 GHz WLAN on channel 1 or 6. If all your neighbors (like all of mine
) use default configurations then you can imagine how noisy those frequencies/channels are. The rule of thumb was if there are multiple WiFi networks using the same frequencies in a small area to set the channels as far apart as possible. For example, if you have a neighbor using channel 1 at 2.4 GHz, then you should use channel 12 (some devices have issues with channel 13, so many don't use it), but I've found that it's more a trial and error. In my case i get the best performance using channels 2 and 3 even though most of my neighbors are using channels 1, 6 or 12.
You can check out what's going on in your location by using an app like WiFi Analyzer or WiFi overview.
That's the condensed version of home wifi. There are a good deal of other issues that effect performance, but i didn't want your head to explode. 
Your xFinity gateway is actually three (or four) devices in one. Most people simply call them "routers". You have a modem, which takes the signal from the street and "modulates" it for ethernet traffic. (Modem stands for modulator/demodulator
). You then have the router aspect which takes the data packets and sends them somewhere based on the rules. Usually that is to accept packets from the WAN (Wide area network, or, as it applies to most consumers, the internet) and send them to the local subnet (your private home network) which are almost always IPv4 networks set to either a 10.1.x.x or 192.168.x.x IP schema. Next, you may have a switch too, if there is more than one RJ-44 jack on the back where you can plug a PC or laptop directly into the device, otherwise you'd have only a WAN and a LAN port. Finally there is the access point. This is the WiFi component of the device. It accepts or broadcasts the data packets as radio waves.The WiFi radio signal can be either 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies and use different connection standards (That B,C,N business). The 2.4 GHz frequency has been in use for years and is common not only in wifi networks but also things like cordless phones, alarm systems, garage door openers, etc. Because it is a short-range, low priority protocol, you can have many devices in any given area all broadcasting on the same frequency and have them all function. With Wifi, however, you need to maintain a fairly constant connection so any rf interference from either a neighbor's network or their garage door opener can cause your signal to drop intermittently and reduce performance. The stronger or more populated the interference, the worse your performance will be. 5 GHz will be much less "noisy" in that regard, although you do see longer range 5 GHz cordless phones on the market.
If you see a device that is dual band, that means it broadcasts both at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but be advised that they will show up as different networks. As well as frequency, Wifi will also use discrete channels. 2.4 GHz used channels 1-13, 5 GHz, depending on what local regulations are, can go to 196.
Out of the box, consumer "routers" will set you up with a 192.168.x.x subnet and broadcast a 2.4 GHz WLAN on channel 1 or 6. If all your neighbors (like all of mine
) use default configurations then you can imagine how noisy those frequencies/channels are. The rule of thumb was if there are multiple WiFi networks using the same frequencies in a small area to set the channels as far apart as possible. For example, if you have a neighbor using channel 1 at 2.4 GHz, then you should use channel 12 (some devices have issues with channel 13, so many don't use it), but I've found that it's more a trial and error. In my case i get the best performance using channels 2 and 3 even though most of my neighbors are using channels 1, 6 or 12.You can check out what's going on in your location by using an app like WiFi Analyzer or WiFi overview.
That's the condensed version of home wifi.
There are a good deal of other issues that effect performance, but i didn't want your head to explode.
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
Now that's a spicy meataballa! Thanks for the in-depth reply. Just what I was looking for. But I still don't know how to change the channel on my Xfinity gateway. Or can I? Do I need a third party device to do that?Most likely any other router/access point device you buy will be set up out of the box the same way. I haven't set up a consumer grade device in a while, but if you can find one that scans the existing airwaves for traffic and recommends the best channel, that would be a good option.
Your xFinity gateway is actually three (or four) devices in one. Most people simply call them "routers". You have a modem, which takes the signal from the street and "modulates" it for ethernet traffic. (Modem stands for modulator/demodulator
The WiFi radio signal can be either 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies and use different connection standards (That B,C,N business). The 2.4 GHz frequency has been in use for years and is common not only in wifi networks but also things like cordless phones, alarm systems, garage door openers, etc. Because it is a short-range, low priority protocol, you can have many devices in any given area all broadcasting on the same frequency and have them all function. With Wifi, however, you need to maintain a fairly constant connection so any rf interference from either a neighbor's network or their garage door opener can cause your signal to drop intermittently and reduce performance. The stronger or more populated the interference, the worse your performance will be. 5 GHz will be much less "noisy" in that regard, although you do see longer range 5 GHz cordless phones on the market.
If you see a device that is dual band, that means it broadcasts both at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but be advised that they will show up as different networks. As well as frequency, Wifi will also use discrete channels. 2.4 GHz used channels 1-13, 5 GHz, depending on what local regulations are, can go to 196.
Out of the box, consumer "routers" will set you up with a 192.168.x.x subnet and broadcast a 2.4 GHz WLAN on channel 1 or 6. If all your neighbors (like all of mine
You can check out what's going on in your location by using an app like WiFi Analyzer or WiFi overview.
That's the condensed version of home wifi.
Fwi... I'm getting 39.xxx down and 6.xxx up (mbps of course) via speedtest.net and running cable and TV through an Xbox one.
RA_BH
Well-Known Member
Most likely any other router/access point device you buy will be set up out of the box the same way. I haven't set up a consumer grade device in a while, but if you can find one that scans the existing airwaves for traffic and recommends the best channel, that would be a good option.
Your xFinity gateway is actually three (or four) devices in one. Most people simply call them "routers". You have a modem, which takes the signal from the street and "modulates" it for ethernet traffic. (Modem stands for modulator/demodulator
The WiFi radio signal can be either 2.4 or 5 GHz frequencies and use different connection standards (That B,C,N business). The 2.4 GHz frequency has been in use for years and is common not only in wifi networks but also things like cordless phones, alarm systems, garage door openers, etc. Because it is a short-range, low priority protocol, you can have many devices in any given area all broadcasting on the same frequency and have them all function. With Wifi, however, you need to maintain a fairly constant connection so any rf interference from either a neighbor's network or their garage door opener can cause your signal to drop intermittently and reduce performance. The stronger or more populated the interference, the worse your performance will be. 5 GHz will be much less "noisy" in that regard, although you do see longer range 5 GHz cordless phones on the market.
If you see a device that is dual band, that means it broadcasts both at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but be advised that they will show up as different networks. As well as frequency, Wifi will also use discrete channels. 2.4 GHz used channels 1-13, 5 GHz, depending on what local regulations are, can go to 196.
Out of the box, consumer "routers" will set you up with a 192.168.x.x subnet and broadcast a 2.4 GHz WLAN on channel 1 or 6. If all your neighbors (like all of mine
You can check out what's going on in your location by using an app like WiFi Analyzer or WiFi overview.
That's the condensed version of home wifi.
Your post should be stickied!
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
I agree. To the stickies MODman!!
You'd need the credentials to login to your device to make those changes, or buy a router/access point of your own choosing and use the xFinity device in bridge mode. Although, 39 down and 6 up doesn't sound too shabby. Was this run from a wireless device?
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
From my galaxy s6
PrinceCorwin
Android Expert
I'll check all of that when I get home. I do know that the Xbox one is hardwired to the gateway