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Friday, August 15th, 2025

Multi Question | 2gig + XB7 & 2gig XB7 Bypass (looking for the limitations) | Why must we use your gateway for standard ethernet equipment

I am seeking clarification regarding the authentication process for my ONU to my Gateway. Through PCAP, I can see you are implementing EAPOL (802.1x) in some form preventing simple direct connection to 3rd party gateways.

Up until now, I have been able to use your gateway in bypass mode and use it without any issues, as my 1 gig service functioned adequately. However, I recently upgraded to the 2gig service, which unfortunately does not include a gateway with dual 2.5gig Ethernet. While this is understandable for anyone using Xfinity Wifi directly, which I am not. I require more than one 2.5-gig network port for my setup.

My ultimate goal is to connect your 2gig service directly to my existing 2.5-gig wired Ethernet 3rd Party gateway without using any Xfinity gateway. This is because I already have appliances that provide the necessary services.

If possible, could you please explain the technical reasons behind these limitations? Understanding this will help me make an informed decision regarding how best to proceed with my internet setup.

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2 Messages

9 days ago

I also would like to know the answer to this as I'm in a similar predicament. My xfinity gateway is not capable of providing my devices the 2gbps speed the service is supposed to provide. My own equipment is capable but I can't connect it directly to the ONT.

Official Employee

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2.3K Messages

8 days ago

 

talvifox Thank you for reaching out via  our Xfinity Community Forums. and for your very detailed and well-informed question. I understand your frustration with the technical limitations you've encountered, especially after upgrading to our 2 Gbps service to get more speed for your advanced home network.

 

You've correctly identified that our network uses 802.1x authentication, which is a fundamental part of how we provision and secure our services. Our gateways are specifically designed to perform this authentication, ensuring that only certified equipment can connect and receive the correct speed tiers. This is why a third-party gateway cannot directly connect to the network in the same way. The bridge mode you're using is the official, supported method for customers who want to use their own third-party router. We understand that this is not ideal for your setup, as it limits you to a single 2.5 Gbps port, but it is a necessary part of our network's design.

 

At this time, we do not have a way to allow a direct connection with a customer-owned gateway for this service tier. We know this can be a significant limitation, and we're continually evaluating our equipment and policies to better meet the needs of our high-speed customers.

 

We truly appreciate your feedback. It helps us understand what advanced users like you need and helps guide our future product development.

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