5 ms·

Passthrough mode turns ~90% of the (DSL modem / ONT) + router + DHCP + NAT + WiFi AP + whatever functionality off, allowing you to add another home router after

by rzzzt 4y ago

Passthrough mode turns ~90% of the (DSL modem / ONT) + router + DHCP + NAT + WiFi AP + whatever functionality off, allowing you to add another home router after it which is completely under your control and let the ISP-provided one only do the most necessary, eg. (DSL modem / ONT) parts.

LoganDark 4y ago
> add another home router after it which is completely under your control and let the ISP-provided one only do the most necessary, eg. (DSL modem / ONT) parts. Oh absolutely, I used that trick once in order to use a router that I could configure over web interface instead of Over The Cloud With A Spyware Mobile App (aka Internet Of Shit). Unfortunately my ISP smartened up to this and started cutting the line whenever I tried to use my router. Like, it would work for a while, then they'd shut off service, and it wouldn't work anymore (even if I removed my router) until I called them up and complained. They would act oblivious like the problem was with my equipment. Every time I asked them why my internet stopped working they would say there was some problem with my hardware. The hardware was brand new and could not have been more fine; they were mistaken. It would also work perfectly when I actually had service; the issue was the ISP kept cutting it because they're petty bastards. Eventually I gave up, which is probably what they wanted, but it's not like I'm suffering too badly with their equipment, even if I have to use a rooted phone in order to pry away all the spyware permissions from their stupid app. They are a monopoly so I have no choice.
- bee_rider 4y ago
  Wow, I hate Comcast like everyone else, but even they are not that bad. That is just ridiculous. If I couldn’t have my own modem and own router… I dunno, they have a local monopoly, but I’d start looking at 5G connections or something.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
- radicaldreamer 4y ago
  You need to file an FCC complaint about this, Xfinity has an executive response team for all FCC complaints. Document every time you called them and your equipment details.
  - avidiax 4y ago
    I had to do this when they let a new renter cancelled my cable internet multiple weeks before my move-out, even after I told them that the new renter's dates were wrong when they called to confirm. Regular support wanted me to sign a new contract and pay an install fee to reactivate. It was a really shitty situation that should never have happened, but the executive team was what all customer service should strive to be. A single person, with ample time in their day to fully understand the problem and blow past all the usual roadblocks on the way to a solution. Was still a few hours on the phone, but at least I wasn't treated as though it was my fault.
  - LoganDark 4y ago
    Honestly, that experience was years ago, and I don't really care enough to raise a fuss about it just today, since their first-party router is "not too terrible". About Xfinity in particular though, assuming someone else uses them, I did learn just recently that at least Xfinity allegedly offers a special decoder box (or something) that is, I believe, free of charge, and lets you hook up your router directly rather than putting it through theirs as a DMZ, and it's supposed to get them to not cut the line. Some self-install kit or something. You can only get it by asking over phone call.
    - baobrien 4y ago
      I bought my own 3rd party cable modem for Xfinity and it works fine.
      - LoganDark 4y ago
        Well, in my situation/ISP it did happen. Though it was a while ago so I don't remember too many specifics.
- alar44 4y ago
  [dead]
judge2020 4y ago
At least on BGW-320's, which are the modern routers for ATT fiber deployments, it keeps flows in the NAT table even if you use it in passthrough mode, although it doesn't actually do NAT, so you end up still being limited to 8192 sessions (not that that's typically a problem, but it does mean you can't e.g. run a big web server through your connection, and you can't use 3p fiber modems without some hacks).
esalman 4y ago
I might end up getting another router next time I move because of this.

by rzzzt 4y ago

LoganDark 4y ago

> add another home router after it which is completely under your control and let the ISP-provided one only do the most necessary, eg. (DSL modem / ONT) parts. Oh absolutely, I used that trick once in order to use a router that I could configure over web interface instead of Over The Cloud With A Spyware Mobile App (aka Internet Of Shit). Unfortunately my ISP smartened up to this and started cutting the line whenever I tried to use my router. Like, it would work for a while, then they'd shut off service, and it wouldn't work anymore (even if I removed my router) until I called them up and complained. They would act oblivious like the problem was with my equipment. Every time I asked them why my internet stopped working they would say there was some problem with my hardware. The hardware was brand new and could not have been more fine; they were mistaken. It would also work perfectly when I actually had service; the issue was the ISP kept cutting it because they're petty bastards. Eventually I gave up, which is probably what they wanted, but it's not like I'm suffering too badly with their equipment, even if I have to use a rooted phone in order to pry away all the spyware permissions from their stupid app. They are a monopoly so I have no choice.

bee_rider 4y ago
Wow, I hate Comcast like everyone else, but even they are not that bad. That is just ridiculous. If I couldn’t have my own modem and own router… I dunno, they have a local monopoly, but I’d start looking at 5G connections or something.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
radicaldreamer 4y ago
You need to file an FCC complaint about this, Xfinity has an executive response team for all FCC complaints. Document every time you called them and your equipment details.
- avidiax 4y ago
  I had to do this when they let a new renter cancelled my cable internet multiple weeks before my move-out, even after I told them that the new renter's dates were wrong when they called to confirm. Regular support wanted me to sign a new contract and pay an install fee to reactivate. It was a really shitty situation that should never have happened, but the executive team was what all customer service should strive to be. A single person, with ample time in their day to fully understand the problem and blow past all the usual roadblocks on the way to a solution. Was still a few hours on the phone, but at least I wasn't treated as though it was my fault.
- LoganDark 4y ago
  Honestly, that experience was years ago, and I don't really care enough to raise a fuss about it just today, since their first-party router is "not too terrible". About Xfinity in particular though, assuming someone else uses them, I did learn just recently that at least Xfinity allegedly offers a special decoder box (or something) that is, I believe, free of charge, and lets you hook up your router directly rather than putting it through theirs as a DMZ, and it's supposed to get them to not cut the line. Some self-install kit or something. You can only get it by asking over phone call.
  - baobrien 4y ago
    I bought my own 3rd party cable modem for Xfinity and it works fine.
    - LoganDark 4y ago
      Well, in my situation/ISP it did happen. Though it was a while ago so I don't remember too many specifics.
alar44 4y ago
[dead]

judge2020 4y ago

At least on BGW-320's, which are the modern routers for ATT fiber deployments, it keeps flows in the NAT table even if you use it in passthrough mode, although it doesn't actually do NAT, so you end up still being limited to 8192 sessions (not that that's typically a problem, but it does mean you can't e.g. run a big web server through your connection, and you can't use 3p fiber modems without some hacks).

esalman 4y ago

I might end up getting another router next time I move because of this.