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yetimemphis's avatar
yetimemphis
Guide
Jan 11, 2022
Solved

RBR850 IPv6 dropping from Xfinity XB7 hourly

I have searched and searched and cannot find the answer to this issue.  I have the RBR853 mesh system.  Xfinity gig internet.  I have no problem pulling a IPv6 address from the XB7 modem.  And the Or...
  • SW_'s avatar
    SW_
    Jan 12, 2022
    yetimemphis wrote:

    It seems like using the Orbi in AP mode while the modem is unbridged would be the simplest method.  That said, would turning off the routing functions keep the satellites from working or cause other significant losses?  I have an Xbox wired to one of the satellites and the modem (XB7) and router (Orbi) are in the center of house.  The Xbox is in a corner.  It needs the wired connection to a satellite to function well.

    I also have a similar setup: XB7 + RBK754 + IPv6 enabled + Brigde mode initially, but I've since switched Orbi to AP mode.

     

    XB7 routing + DNS + DHCP + IPv6 functions are already validated by Comcast within their network/servers and Orbi is a WiFi beast in AP.  If Comcast makes any change to their internal servers or XB7 firmware, I don't have to worry about compatibility issue with XB7 not wrking after XB7 firmware update or Orbi firmware update.

     

    This setup will help me avoid any potential compatibility issue between XB7 DNS/DHCP (IPv6) servers and Orbi. I also get FREE parental control, which is disabled with XB7 in Bridge mode. XB7 parental control is a big improvement comparing to paid Orbi parental control.

     

    Unless you're using a specific feature that's only available when Orbi is in Router mode and that feature is missing from XB7 as well, switching to AP mode will simpify your WiFi network with less headache due to compatibility issues as a result of firmware updates.

     

yetimemphis's avatar
yetimemphis
Guide
Jan 11, 2022

Is one a better option than the other?  I have not tried to use anything other than bridge mode.  It seemed to start when Xfinity did some upgrades to all their IPv6 network in our area.  However, I have confirmed I can get IPv6 on a laptop connected directly to the XB7 while in bridge mode.

yetimemphis's avatar
yetimemphis
Guide
Jan 11, 2022

Also, would using an Arris S33 or Netgear CM2000 just be a better default option?  I would obviously be out the cost, but renting (and not using) the XB7 is still cheaper ($25/mo) than just paying the $30/mo for unlimited data.

 

Is there a way I could repurpose the XB7 in-house here if I did this?  I've tried to think about it, but I'm not smart enough to come up with any ideas on this issue.

  • Mikey94025's avatar
    Mikey94025
    Hero
    Jan 11, 2022

    I also have the XB7 (in bridge mode) and Xfinity unlimited option, connected to my Orbi.  I do not run IPv6.  Have you really noticed that things run more smoothly and substantive speeds with IPv6?

     

    I haven't done any testing but I suspect my household network speeds are predominantly limited by wi-fi and not IPv6.  I do not have any network issues not using IPv6 with my XB7.  You might want to recheck your assertion about needing IPv6 before making complicated changes to your Xfinity modem and Orbi.

    • yetimemphis's avatar
      yetimemphis
      Guide
      Jan 11, 2022

      The testing I've shown once I noticed it falling off seems to support this:

       

      Using the Orbi app to "Test My Speed" once the IPv6 has fallen off and no longer appears, I get downloads of 800-1.1G.  Once I reboot and run the same test, I get downloads of 1.4+G.  The XBox shows similar dropp off numbers (300 vs 150) and some of my smart devices have trouble getting back on or responding once IPv6 disappears.

       

      It's no major issue to the point I'd consider my network dysfunctional or severely limiting.  It's more that I wonder why it's there one minute and then disappears the next, presumably due to the Orbi role in things.  I don't know if I would see significant improvements and consistency with IPv6 over the long term, but I guess I'm just one that likes to take advantage of all the options available to me, including having both IPv4 and v6 at the ready.