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How to Setup my Network for 2GB on 2 PCs with Xfinity XB8 Modem and Nighthawk AXE11000 Router
My ISP is Xfinity and I recently upgraded from the Gigabit plan (1GB) to Gigabit X2 (2GB). According to them, I need to rent their XB8 modem router in order for those speeds to work under their network, since they currently do not have any third-party devices suitable for the 2GB plan. I was open to using my own modem, but fine. Aside from that, I also recently financed the Nighthawk RAXE500 AXE11000 Router through Best Buy. Finally, I have an 8-port 2.5Gbps ethernet switch that I got from Amazon, and was thinking of returning it if I can achieve the 2GB speed on both PCs without the need for the switch. Even if I can get the 2Gbps on at least my main PC and not the second one, that would be good enough for me since I plan to stream online games and create content on my main PC.
With that said, I am trying to figure out what is the best network configuration in order for me to get the 2GB speed on one or both of the PCs in my home. Both motherboards have a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, so they are capable of outputting those speeds. The motherboard on my main PC actually has two Ethernet ports, one labeled 1GB and the other labeled as 2.5GB. Everything else in my home will only do 1Gbps or below like gaming consoles and smart TVs. I also have Cat6 cables that I purchased long ago to run throughout my home.
As far as I know and based on the research I did, the XB8 modem from Xfinity only has one Ethernet port capable of multi-gig, while the other 3 are Gigabit. I won't be running the modem in Bridge Mode as they advise to do, since an Xfinity tech currently has the AXE11000 and the XB8 modem connected together without Bridge Mode, and it all works perfectly fine. I think I am mainly confused on how the port configuration should be on the AXE11000 since I seem to be misunderstanding how the Ethernet ports are labeled, as well as making sure I am connecting these devices together the correct way so that the maximum speed is outputted on both the modem and router. It wasn't clear to me if the Internet port on the AXE11000 is multi-gig or can be configured as such, or if it does require Link Aggregation to do that, as opposed to just configuring the multi-gig port as WAN.
Currently, since I have not yet set up the AXE11000, I have the one 2GB port on the XB8 modem connected via Cat6 to the 2.5Gbps network switch, but not sure if that is absolutely necessary to do since the entire switch is capable of the multi-gig speed. However, now throwing the AXE11000 into the mix kind of confuses me a bit and I just want to be sure that I do this correctly. If I am thinking of all of this correctly, I am thinking this is how I need to connect everything, including the switch, because I think it won't work with the switch:
With Switch: 1 2GB port on XB8 Modem >> Internet port OR Multi-Gig port on AXE11000 >> Contrary port connected to switch.
However, I am also thinking that if I just want to have 2Gbps on my main PC and just use Gigabit for the other PC, then I can eliminate the switch and do this instead:
Without Switch: Connect main PC to the 1 2Gbps port on XB8 modem >> Connect 1 of 3 Gigabit ports on modem to Internet port on AXE11000 >> Connect remaining devices on the router and/or modem.
Sorry if this doesn't make any sense, but just to clarify, the end goal here is to achieve either 2Gbps on two PCs with the switch (or potentially without it so I can save some money) OR achieve 2Gbps on the main PC only without the switch. Thanks in advance for your help!
Due to the limitation of the RAXE500 and it's WAN and LAN ports max connection rate of 1000Mpbs, you'll not see anything over 900Mpbs on ethernet with these connections on the RAXE. Theoretically you can see over 1000Mpbs IF you connected the RAXE MG port to the host ISP modem/ONT that has 2.5Gb rated ports and then connect a wifi device that is 4x4 MIMO supporting to the RAXEs wifi system.
The only want to get seamless 2.5Gb ethernet speeds from your ISP service is to get a router that supports 2.5Gb or higher rate WAN AND LAN ports. Something NGs RS700 and Orbi970 series models supports.
11 Replies
TheOVOBreezy wrote:
I won't be running the modem in Bridge Mode as they advise to do, since an Xfinity tech currently has the AXE11000 and the XB8 modem connected together without Bridge Mode, and it all works perfectly fine.
Does that mean that you plan to run the RAXE500 – the model number you have tagged – in access point mode?
With that said, I am trying to figure out what is the best network configuration in order for me to get the 2GB speed on one or both of the PCs in my home.
Do you have a switch that can handle 2GB?
Out of interest, what do you do that needs PCs connected to the Internet at 2 GBps?
michaelkenward wrote:Does that mean that you plan to run the RAXE500 – the model number you have tagged – in access point mode?
I actually have not confirmed with the Xfinity technician if this is what he did, but judging from the limited options available to even make this possible, I would say yes.
Do you have a switch that can handle 2GB?
Yes, I have an 8-port switch where all ports are capable of Gigabit and multi-gig speeds. Since I do not have the AXE11000 hooked up yet, I have the one multi-gig port on the XB8 modem connected to the switch on 1 of the 8 2.5Gbps ports, and the LED for multi-gig is lit, which means it should be running at 2Gbps. I tested it on one of the PCs months ago and it did run at those multi-gig speeds. Here is the switch in question: Real HD 8 Port 2.5G Ethernet Switch; 1x 10G SFP+ Port and 8x 2.5G Ports
Out of interest, what do you do that needs PCs connected to the Internet at 2 GBps?
I don't think it's really what I'm doing that has to do with why I need/want the 2Gbps speed. I think it's just me wanting to take advantage of it anywhere I possibly can. I know I won't ever see those speeds wirelessly, but I think just having the option there makes me want to do it this way. Since I do plan to stream games and do live content creation once I have this hooked up, it just makes me a little paranoid in making me think I need the absolute best speeds possible.
The two PCs in my home are the only things truly capable of 2Gbps, since two of my Xbox Series X's usually does a little over 1GB and my PS4 never hits 1GB or hundreds of MBs even over Ethernet. Then there are other devices I have plugged over Ethernet like a Nintendo Switch, a smart TV, and I have toyed with the idea of hardwiring my Fire Sticks, but that's not the case at the moment.
Are you suggesting that 2Gbps could be overkill for my use case? I appreciate your honesty and response.
P.S. I was trying to format my response how you had it, but I am new to these forums and don't really know how to do it, haha. Thanks in advance.
TheOVOBreezy wrote:
Are you suggesting that 2Gbps could be overkill for my use case? I appreciate your honesty and response.
Not at all. You have every right to get what you want and what you have paid for.
I happily work with Internet access at 70 MBps. (VDSL) But I don't need to edit high resolution videos online. for example.
I would just like to understand why anyone might needs 2 Gbps. What do people do that needs that speed? It helps when trying to answer questions that turn up here.
Being a cheapskate, I pay for what I need rather than the fastest on offer, especially if I it involves for expensive hardware upgrades,
Due to the limitation of the RAXE500 and it's WAN and LAN ports max connection rate of 1000Mpbs, you'll not see anything over 900Mpbs on ethernet with these connections on the RAXE. Theoretically you can see over 1000Mpbs IF you connected the RAXE MG port to the host ISP modem/ONT that has 2.5Gb rated ports and then connect a wifi device that is 4x4 MIMO supporting to the RAXEs wifi system.
The only want to get seamless 2.5Gb ethernet speeds from your ISP service is to get a router that supports 2.5Gb or higher rate WAN AND LAN ports. Something NGs RS700 and Orbi970 series models supports.
Thanks! I just searched up the Netgear RS700 and I see what you mean, but I am still a bit confused. There is 1 10G WAN port and 1 10G LAN port. The other 4 ports are Gigabit, so wouldn't I still be limited to 1G on majority of ports? Even if I connect the 1 2G port on my modem connected to the 10G port on the RS700?
It's $200 more expensive than what I financed the AXE11000 on Best Buy. I don't mind the cost since the financing will be the same, just with additional months, but I'll have to think about how I can justify it. I feel like at this point, I'm better off sticking with Gigabit or Gigabit Extra (1.2Gbps) speed, and keep the AXE11000, potentially doing away with the switch.
Decisions, decisions.
Yes the RS has 1Gb ports however on could connect up a Mutli Gig switch to the back of the RS on it's 10gb port to provide the speeds beyond 1Gb to your devices that support speeds past 1Gb. NGs XS505M and GS110MX would work for this. I have these connected with my Orbi 960 and 970 series systems.
