Best choice for internet bonding router offers improved speed and stability.
Best choice for internet bonding router offers improved speed and stability.
I currently use Comcast/XFinity. I own a premium modem/router package I bought. Recently, Comcast released a firmware update that causes my modem/router to repeatedly disconnect and restart. This occurs whenever I’m working or trying to stream TV. It happens daily, sometimes multiple times each day. I contacted Comcast but they didn’t notice the problem. Today my power went out, which disrupted the local Comcast network and left my internet down for two hours with an estimated recovery time of three more hours. This is very inconvenient. The only other option nearby is AT&T DSL. Previously, my DSL connection was very stable, but it never slowed down much. Now, streaming and browsing are affected. My home is fully wired with Ethernet, and I already have a switch managing that setup. There are roughly 30 devices connected, about 10 of which are wireless and assigned static IPs. I’m planning to add more for smart home use. I also run a Pi-Hole DNS server across my network. TLDR: I’m seeking advice on a router that can manage internet connections from both a cable modem and a DSL modem.
You likely don't want to connect directly, as it's complex and usually not stable unless both networks match in speed. What you require is a failover system, so if the primary broadband fails it automatically switches to the backup. I can't give specific advice on that since I rely on custom firmware (OpenWRT) and pfSense running on a PC for such setups. I'm not sure consumer routers handle it well—they usually favor 4G failover over a second fixed connection.
You're seeking a router with failover capability, avoiding direct connections between routers to prevent double NAT. Your current setup with Comcast may need replacement or bridge mode activation. AT&T reportedly requires using their gateway and doesn't support bridge mode, though pass-through might work. The Synology RT2600AC appears capable of both failover and load balancing, though it sacrifices a LAN port for WAN use. It offers Wi-Fi 5 and features like bandwidth monitoring, per-device limits, and 4G support via USB dongle. If signal quality is poor, consider a cable modem with better reception. For issues, contact the FCC via their complaint portal: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us
Great, thanks for the suggestion. The Synology setup seems ideal. My existing modem/router functioned well until they released a firmware update a few months back. I’ve noticed it’s a typical problem with my router and that specific version. I’m using a Netgear C7800, running firmware 6.01.07. Nearly all my TV shows stream online—Sling, Peacock, YouTube, Netflix. I connect the local audience via an over-the-air antenna to a Tablo DVR, which I reach through the network on my AppleTVs.
You’re facing a setup issue with your network configuration. The Synology router isn’t recognizing the Netgear modem because the gateway IP is set to 192.168.1.2, while your Netgear is configured for 192.168.1.2 as well. Since the router isn’t detecting the Netgear device on the WAN port, it can’t assign it as the gateway. Make sure both devices are using different gateway IPs and that the Netgear modem is properly connected to the correct WAN port.
Ensure the gateway operates in bridge mode or swap it for a regular modem. Simply turning off DHCP on the gateway isn't sufficient since it continues functioning as a router. Under Federal Law, Comcast must permit customer-owned modems. There are many available options online that should work.
I'm having trouble turning on Bridge mode for the Netgear C7800. The Synology Router is recognizing the WAN link, but it isn't sending that connection to connected devices. I followed the guide, but it doesn't show this feature on my specific Netgear Modem/Router.
You're unsure about setting up a gateway device. It hasn't been used in over ten years. If it came from Comcast, they should be able to activate it on their side. It's unclear if they can do this for third-party devices. Standard modems with a separate router are usually better. Comcast manages the firmware for modems, so I'm not entirely confident about updating the gateway. You shouldn't ask Comcast for an upgrade, as they handle updates on their own timeline. There might be an IP address conflict since both devices use the same addresses, though I'm not sure. Connecting a router to a gateway could cause double NAT issues. Be mindful of that.
You turned off NAT on your Netgear router and now the Synology router is using the internet connection for all devices. Previously, it only saw the IP from your Netgear router, but now it's detecting the public IP from Comcast.