Paulie420's profile

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Saturday, May 2nd, 2020 4:00 PM

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Change dns server?

Can I change my dns server with this xFi router? I don’t see an option to doso.

Gold Problem Solver

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2K Messages

5 years ago


@Paulie420 wrote:
Can I change my dns server with this xFi router? I don’t see an option to doso.

No, it's hard coded into the gateway to prevent DNS Hijacks and similar attacks.

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7.9K Messages

5 years ago

And even worse, if you try to change it on your computer or devices, Comcast gateways will still intercept and redirect to the Comcast DNS servers.

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2 Messages

5 years ago

Thanks for the reply. Three more questions, if you don’t mind.

1, can I give back the modem/router that I’m leasing from xFi and buy my own? (Then I could change the dns settings...?)

2, would it be smarter to keep the modem/router that I’m leasing from xFi and just add my own router on top of that? I think it might be smarter to use ALL my own hardware... I’m trying to run a pi-hole, so I want to to be at the main intersection of my Internet- so that it covers ALL my Internet.

3, any suggestions on a modem & router? Do they come as one unit? Is Apple still the best choice or no?

Thanks.

Gold Problem Solver

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2K Messages

5 years ago


@Paulie420 wrote:
Thanks for the reply. Three more questions, if you don’t mind.

1, can I give back the modem/router that I’m leasing from xFi and buy my own? (Then I could change the dns settings...?)


Absolutely. I've used my own equipment and leased. There are advantages to each approach, so obviously go with what suits you best.

 


@Paulie420 wrote:
2, would it be smarter to keep the modem/router that I’m leasing from xFi and just add my own router on top of that? I think it might be smarter to use ALL my own hardware... I’m trying to run a pi-hole, so I want to to be at the main intersection of my Internet- so that it covers ALL my Internet.


Don't know about "smarter" but that's certainly an option. It's called Bridge Mode. Some people opt for that to keep the unlimited data option with their xFi service but have a lot more control over how their LAN is managed.  See here.

 


@Paulie420 wrote:
3, any suggestions on a modem & router? Do they come as one unit? Is Apple still the best choice or no?

Thanks.

That depends on a lot of things, including your speed tier and subscription. You can check https://mydeviceinfo.xfinity.com for a list of compatible modems and gateways. Apple's last Airport Extreme router was in 2013 and they stopped making them since. You can still use those, but there are better ones on the market. You can look at reviews online, such as from The Wirecutter and Smallnetbuilder.

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1 Message

4 years ago

Best solution is to bridge the X1fi from Xfinity and use your own router. Advantages are many including choosing your own DNS servers such as google, 4.4.4.4 and 4.4.8.8 as well as providing QoS scheduling so you get to determine what activities get what share of the available bandwidth.

It's the only way to keep Xfinity from highjacking your dns calls.

Expert

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107.2K Messages

4 years ago

Year old dead thread now being closed.

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