pdude's profile

New Poster

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4 Messages

Thursday, October 22nd, 2020 12:00 PM

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Disable WiFi beacons in bridge mode

Sorry as I posted something similar in another seciton, but hoping someone in this group has an answer.

 

Anyone know how to supress or lower the power of the WiFi beacons that the Xfinity gateway broadcasts in bridge mode?  Assuming this is for their home security.  It's causing issues in the home network.

 

It is broadasting 5 hidden SSID at really powerful signal levels and running wideband.  5GHz is consuming several channels at 80MHz with a power of around -42dBM (super high!) and 2.4GHz at 20MHz channel at -36dBm (even higher).  I would like to at least lower the power level and get the 5GHz to only run at 20MHz.

 

Support had no idea on how to fix this.  Just wanted to send me a new gateway.  I asked for an older gateway and they didn't seem like they could do that.

 

Thoughts?  

 

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Problem Solver

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948 Messages

4 years ago

From what I understand the router/WiFi section is disabled in bridge mode

Expert

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107K Messages

4 years ago

But AFAIK, those "Hidden" SSID networks (used for interfacing with the Comcast home security systems) are still being broadcasted. And no, they can't be disabled or weakened.

New Poster

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4 Messages

4 years ago

Funny thing is that even in bridge mode somehow the "Xfinity Homespot" got enabled so it had broadcasted some SSIDs.  It's not a true bridge mode and not sure why they do that unless it's for those that want another guest network?  Or for a tech to get in?  At any rate,  after I disabled that, then I still saw the hidden SSID being sent out.  

New Poster

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4 Messages

4 years ago

That's a really bad design.  I could see putting the features in, but not letting you disable opens customers up to many issues.  Xfinity was probably looking for simplicity and ease of use to get you to use their security.  On the flips side with so many hotspots and neighbors with wireless (and working from home these days) it sounds like it could be a recipe for more support calls.

Expert

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107K Messages

4 years ago

It's deliberate of course. They don't want any problems / repercussions with their home security systems
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