Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

jeffreymartens.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

51–60 of 181 posts

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#51

Post by nommm-nommm »

recursive wrote: post #32
manyxcxi wrote: post #15

The best thing anyone can do is swap out the junky cable modem + WiFi router combos they rent to you. They're horrible under standard usage, bad when lots of clients are connected, bad wifi range, low memory, require frequent reboots, etc. For about $70 (about 5mos of rental charges) you can get a Surfboard barebones Docsis 3 modem that will vastly outperform whatever junk they rent out. After that you could get a TP…

This is a thing I would kind of want to do, but I've never bothered to figure out how. Like how will I know if it's a compatible modem, or better than what's there? How do you configure it? So those are my reasons.

https://www.xfinity.com/support/internet/list-of-approved-ca...

To configure it, you just plug it in. I think you may have to call them after you plugged it in and then activate it on their end.

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#53

Post by foota »

chrissnell wrote: post #34

Don't use Speedtest.net. The major providers all prioritize their traffic and it gives unrealistic results. I built a graphical console-based speed tester (client+server) that you can run yourself to get a more accurate picture and test between your home and servers you actually use: https://github.com/chrissnell/sparkyfish

Would also recommend fast.com, which uses Netflix cdn as the test, and so theoretically will reflect actual usage.

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#54

Post by ac29 »

username223 wrote: post #27

I wonder how much of that has to do with their providing "xfinity" wifi to anyone nearby who wants to share your cable line? [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xfinity#Xfinity_WiFi

Just turn it off, I did when I was using Comcast equipment last year. You dont owe Comcast any favors.

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#55

Post by jhallenworld »

I know Verizon at least is preparing for the day where each family member is watching their own 4K TV stream: 15.6 Mbps is required per stream for Netflix. It would be interesting how their "quantum gateway" performs, this one:

https://www.verizon.com/home/accessories/fios-quantum-gatewa...

Fios is great, but they were focused on the 4G LTE network for home internet instead of further fios rollout. Here is the router for this:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/home-office-solutions/verizo...

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#56

Post by eapen »

You can find the best channel to use using one of these techniques: https://www.howtogeek.com/197268/how-to-find-the-best-wi-fi-...

Although, that article says you need a jailbroken iPhone to find the best wifi, it is possible to identify high traffic networks with your iPhone using the Airport Utility - https://forum.music-group.com/showthread.php?6603-TIP-Choosi...

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#57

Post by chrissnell »

jftuga wrote: post #50
chrissnell wrote: post #34

Don't use Speedtest.net. The major providers all prioritize their traffic and it gives unrealistic results. I built a graphical console-based speed tester (client+server) that you can run yourself to get a more accurate picture and test between your home and servers you actually use: https://github.com/chrissnell/sparkyfish

For firewall rule purposes, I wish your program would have used 5201 by default, the standard iperf port.

It's configurable!

Just use --listen-addr on the server side and on the client side, just run it like sparkyfish-cli .

I think it's a good idea not to use standard ports, to avoid any sketchy prioritization practices on the part of the provider.

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#59

Post by rickdale »

manyxcxi wrote: post #15

The best thing anyone can do is swap out the junky cable modem + WiFi router combos they rent to you. They're horrible under standard usage, bad when lots of clients are connected, bad wifi range, low memory, require frequent reboots, etc. For about $70 (about 5mos of rental charges) you can get a Surfboard barebones Docsis 3 modem that will vastly outperform whatever junk they rent out. After that you could get a TP…

Changing my router was the best thing I have done to my internet connection, but somehow it never occurred to me to change my modem until I just read your comment. Er, duh! Ordering one now. Any recommendations from this list?: http://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/compliant-modems-ch...

Re: Comcast internet speed improved with non-Comcast hardware

#60

Post by dogecoinbase »

throwaway6556 wrote: post #23
manyxcxi wrote: post #15

The best thing anyone can do is swap out the junky cable modem + WiFi router combos they rent to you. They're horrible under standard usage, bad when lots of clients are connected, bad wifi range, low memory, require frequent reboots, etc. For about $70 (about 5mos of rental charges) you can get a Surfboard barebones Docsis 3 modem that will vastly outperform whatever junk they rent out. After that you could get a TP…

TP-Link is Chinese crap, please stop recommending it. Thanks. Ubiquiti is fine, and Debian-based, to boot.

Ubnt doesn't respond to security reports, violates the GPL, abandons product lines without warning while continuing to sell them, and sells underpowered devices that don't support basic functionality. But they are really cheap!
Post reply on HN