XB7 vs XB6 initial performance disappointment

Bridging is really simple to do. Just go into the XB6/7 gateway, typically: http://10.0.0.1 and that will let you access the gateway's home page. You will have to login of course. Once in you should see "Gateway > At a Glance". Below the blue "Wi-Fi Configuration" bar you should see "Bridge Mode: Enable - Disable". It will be Enabled. To switch to Bridge Mode, click on DISABLE, which will disable the router function of the gateway, and turn it into a straight Modem without WiFi which your external router will then have to provide. This is what I did. Normally you wouldn't have two routers with WiFi functioning at the same time. To expand ethernet connectivity you can connect an ethernet switch that will allow more devices to be connected to your system, with your router providing all WiFi signals.

I just ran Ookla SpeedTest (ethernet direct, no WiFi):
Tests: 44 (Average between 2/15/2020 and today, 11/20/2020)
Highest Speed: 951.74
Average Speed: 871.07
11-20-2020 test: 944.96 DN 42.30 UP
11-19-2020 test: 950.33 DN 42.57 UP
11-19-2020 test: 943.47 DN 42.08 UP
11-15-2020 test: 946.23 DN 42.02

So the speeds with the XB6 still seem to be holding up very well so far.

As far as WiFi was concerned, I found my XB6 to be relatively poor. My existing Linksys EA9500-AC5400 1GB router was far better. That was why I switched to Bridge Mode on the XB6, and have never changed back. I can get WiFi pretty much anywhere in the house (3 storey). WiFi signals from my Linksys router to my Note 10+ measure in the vicinity of 400-450 on the low side to 600 to 650 on the high side using 5GHz, and of course is VERY dependent on location in the house and the number of users on the internet. So the values can be rather widespread. Using 2.4GHz they are lower, but work somewhat further away. I have any TV's that I can stream from hardwired to my router or ethernet switch to maintain higher speeds. I also use a TP-Link WiFi Extender in my detached garage which barely works on 2.4 due to the distance from my router in the house. But it works, and THAT is the name of the game. I use my ROKU on a TV in the garage, and for control of WiFi on a window A/C unit that I can control remotely.

Once Comcast/Xfinity got me connected I measured typically up to 960 MBps DN and 40 Mbps Up. That of course was using direct ethernet connection from XB6 to my router to my desktop computer, NO WiFi. The DN speeds of course did vary dependent on the number of users connected to the same node I'm connected to that were using the internet at the same time I was. More or less, I always got around 350 to 500 DN even at the worse times. Still way better than I ever had withOUT Comcast/Xfinity.

As far as Port Forwarding goes, I also use that for a video surveillance camera system. Port forwarding data is entered in my Linksys router configuration page, which I have been using from day one, way before Comcast/Xfinity ever was here. It's used to allow me to monitor and playback videos from the cameras remotely either on my desktop computer monitor or my cellphone anywhere. I never tried to do port forwarding on the XB6 since I switched to Bridge Mode, and wasn't using the gateway for anything but a modem.

Based on all that I have been reading on this community forum, DSL Reports and any other various and sundry sites, it's pretty clear to me to NOT let go of this XB6 gateway, period! As they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And it isn't broke! So I will keep it.

On another note, I thought I saw that there was a new software upgrade for the XB7. Or was that for the XB6? If there is one for the XB7, is there a new update for the XB6? My current software version (and the one that came with it as far as I know) is:

eMTA & DOCSIS Software Version: 7.2.2.0.104
Software Image Name: TG3482PC2_4.2p14s1_PROD_sey
Advanced Services: TG3482G

My System Hardware is:

Model: TG3482G
Vendor: ARRIS Group, Inc.
Hardware Revision: 14
Serial Number: 9992H19GBExxxx
Processor Speed: 3999.78 MHz
DRAM Total Memory: 671 MB
DRAM Used Memory: 459 MB
DRAM Available Memory: 212 MB
Flash Total Memory: 12427 MB
Flash Used Memory: 12389 MB
Flash Available Memory: 38 MB

One question: Can you add or attach photos, and if so, how do you do that, not involving using a URL. Like copy and paste, etc. Thanks

Anyway that's what I've got for the moment. I hope it's of interest.