Help a Noob

[csakstar]

Since I have come back from school, I have run into the least pleasant part of returning home: my home's terrible Internet. My family has Xfinity, since it's either that or AT&T and we've been there, done that. My dad isn't that well technologically versed, and I'm afraid to say that Internet connectivity is not my strength. My dad when he signed up for Xfinity's triple-play bundle, just went with the all-in one gateway that Xfinity was offering at the time (I'm pretty confident it's the 1st gen one, since there is only a 2.4ghz signal). My parents insist on keeping the landline, despite everyone in our home having cell phones. So with that out of the way, on to the main issue. The wifi in our home is terrible. Signal strength is good throughout the house, except for the addition, but my grandma lives in that part so that's not a big deal since she doesn't use the Internet at all. My desktop and laptop, as well as the family laptop, all experience constant signal drops when trying to watch videos or do anything, with the family laptop being unable to load webpages for minutes at a time sometimes. I figured that the gateway was the source of the majority of our problems. I've changed the channel on it to the least congested one, but to no avail. So, I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive solution to replace the gateway. I would much prefer it to be ac/n compatible so that we can take advantage of having the two signals. However, I have no idea if I would need to get some replacement device from Xfinity that would allow us to keep the phone working. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. 

[BrinkGG]

43 minutes ago, csakstar said:

Since I have come back from school, I have run into the least pleasant part of returning home: my home's terrible Internet. My family has Xfinity, since it's either that or AT&T and we've been there, done that. My dad isn't that well technologically versed, and I'm afraid to say that Internet connectivity is not my strength. My dad when he signed up for Xfinity's triple-play bundle, just went with the all-in one gateway that Xfinity was offering at the time (I'm pretty confident it's the 1st gen one, since there is only a 2.4ghz signal). My parents insist on keeping the landline, despite everyone in our home having cell phones. So with that out of the way, on to the main issue. The wifi in our home is terrible. Signal strength is good throughout the house, except for the addition, but my grandma lives in that part so that's not a big deal since she doesn't use the Internet at all. My desktop and laptop, as well as the family laptop, all experience constant signal drops when trying to watch videos or do anything, with the family laptop being unable to load webpages for minutes at a time sometimes. I figured that the gateway was the source of the majority of our problems. I've changed the channel on it to the least congested one, but to no avail. So, I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive solution to replace the gateway. I would much prefer it to be ac/n compatible so that we can take advantage of having the two signals. However, I have no idea if I would need to get some replacement device from Xfinity that would allow us to keep the phone working. If anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. 

Just use the old gateway for everything but internet and get a new gateway/modem for internet. Do you have a picture or model number for the current gateway? 

[LienusLateTips]

Just get router.

[BrinkGG]

1 minute ago, JDE said:

Just get router.

Not that simple... Need more info about what is currently there first. 

[LienusLateTips]

Just now, Brink2Three said:

Not that simple... Need more info about what is currently there first. 

Well, yes and no.

[Nikolithebear]

Either buy a router, or an access point.  If its wifi you need only upgraded.  

[csakstar]

21 hours ago, Nikolithebear said:

Either buy a router, or an access point.  If its wifi you need only upgraded.  

Is it really just that simple? Would I be able to create a separate network with just a router? If so, would that solve my issues do you think? And what would you recommend?

[csakstar]

23 hours ago, Brink2Three said:

Not that simple... Need more info about what is currently there first. 

I believe the device I have is the 1st generation gateway that Comcast offered. It only outputs a 2.4ghz signal. I tried doing powerline up to the first floor, but the router is in the basement since that's the only place that has an ethernet port so the signal from the powerline isn't strong enough to overcome the sluggish wifi.

[csakstar]

23 hours ago, Brink2Three said:

Just use the old gateway for everything but internet and get a new gateway/modem for internet. Do you have a picture or model number for the current gateway? 

I'll get both of those in the morning. Sorry for the late reply, I never got any notification for replies so I just assumed I didn't have any lol. 

[LienusLateTips]

5 minutes ago, csakstar said:

Is it really just that simple? Would I be able to create a separate network with just a router? If so, would that solve my issues do you think? And what would you recommend?

I would get the AC Pro, connect to your router and get good wifi.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-802-11ac-Dual-Radio-UAP-AC-PRO-US/dp/B015PRO512/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1495860866&sr=1-1&keywords=ubiquiti+ac+pro

 

[Nikolithebear]

11 minutes ago, csakstar said:

Is it really just that simple? Would I be able to create a separate network with just a router? If so, would that solve my issues do you think? And what would you recommend?

Depending on the configuration of the router, but in al lreality a new access point would do.  Anything by Ubiquity would work. or what @JDE said.  

[csakstar]

On 5/26/2017 at 0:19 AM, Brink2Three said:

Just use the old gateway for everything but internet and get a new gateway/modem for internet. Do you have a picture or model number for the current gateway? 

Attached is the picture of the gateway. It only has an 802.11n connectivity, so I do believe that it is in fact the 1st gen. 

[csakstar]

15 hours ago, JDE said:

I would get the AC Pro, connect to your router and get good wifi.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-Networks-802-11ac-Dual-Radio-UAP-AC-PRO-US/dp/B015PRO512/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1495860866&sr=1-1&keywords=ubiquiti+ac+pro

 

Appreciate the suggestion! Is it as simple as just plugging it into one of the ethernet ports on my current gateway?

[LienusLateTips]

1 hour ago, csakstar said:

Appreciate the suggestion! Is it as simple as just plugging it into one of the ethernet ports on my current gateway?

Sort of. Its harder to set up than most consumer gear (instead of one button, you have to configure the wifi, channel, etc yourself) because it was designed to be used in a buiness, but it is great if you want a affordable a really good AP.

[csakstar]

33 minutes ago, JDE said:

Sort of. Its harder to set up than most consumer gear (instead of one button, you have to configure the wifi, channel, etc yourself) because it was designed to be used in a buiness, but it is great if you want a affordable a really good AP.

Gotcha. But hardware wise, that's basically it? Would it contribute both a 2.4 and 5.0 ghz signal despite going through the gateway which is only designed for 2.4ghz or does that not affect it at all?