X-class now available... should I switch?

gelid · 2025-02-01T23:31:26+00:00

Looks like X-class service is now available at my address in Colorado Springs. I got rid of Xfinity about five or six months ago after having two different fiber providers install service at my address. I'm not entirely happy with either of those providers for the following reasons: Quantum: + Super fast connection at 8Gbps (over 3X as fast as the fastest Xfinity plan) + Global IPv4 address - It took weeks of troubleshooting to determine what was crashing the C6500XK SmartNID (802.3X flow control) - Quantum still hasn't buried the fiber in my neighbors' yards. Currently am connected via above ground temp line and permanent line has only been buried from my house to my property line, but not past that. - Peering/transit is sometimes problematic to Youtube CDN servers, causing horrible buffering - Horrible off-shore customer service - No native IPv6 support - No static IP address, but at least it is a global IP - Quantum iOS app is garbage - $165/mo ~ I got their WiFi 7 access point and one pod. Lacking many features. ~ I run my pfSense router in a DMZ, so not much issue with double-NAT Metronet: + Fairly fast 5Gbps up/down (twice as fast as the fastest Xfinity plan) + Great customer service + Fiber line was buried quickly and to my satisfaction + Static IPv4 address is $10/month + $100/mo 5Gbps service + $10/mo static IP - You have to pay for a static IP to get a global IPv4 address (otherwise CGNAT) - Horrible latency due to no local peering in Colorado. All traffic goes through Dallas or Indiana/Chicago areas. Pinging other servers in Colorado takes >70ms. - No native IPv6 support ~ I turned down their EERO WiFi router and use my own pfSense router ~ Should be in a joint venture with T-Mobile soon Here is how Xfinity compares: Xfinity: + Native IPv6 (do they still give out a /60 or better to set up multiple internal IPv6 networks on pfSense?) + Much better peering/transit than both Quantum/CL or especially Metronet + Xfinity iOS app is pretty solid - Slower bandwidth than the other two options at 2400Mbps up/down speed ~ Higher latency to most servers than Quantum, but less than Metronet - Highest WiFi option right now is 6E, I believe using the XB8 - The only way I know to pass a IPv6 /62 or better to pfSense is use a "bridged" connection. How is the best way to use my own router with the XD4 / XB8 combo, if I want to use the XB8 WiFi 6E for untrusted iOT/guest access only? I believe there are two 10Gbps ports on the XD4; how many global IPv4 addresses are allocated? For two years I was passing IPv4 to pfSense via DMZ instead of bridged mode (it worked well), but I had to sacrifice IPv6. Prices I am seeing are: 300/300 (360/360) - $55/mo 500/500 (600/600) - $65/mo 1G/1G (1200/1200) - $85/mo 2G/2G (2400/2400) - $115/mo I like to have two services because I like to have a reliable backup for when family members and I are working at home (usually on snow days). Of the providers above, which two would you choose? If I decide to go back to Xfinity, should I wait for the XB10 to be released? How far out is that? Yes, I know that most of the speeds above are overkill for most purposes, and also how lucky I am to suddenly (withing the past year) have all of these choices. I'm probably going to drop Quantum down to 3Gbps because I can't get most (game) downloads to go much faster than that anyways, but I can fill the whole 8Gbps and 5Gbps with speed tests.

gelid

fmd Yeah, when we were on the old E6000, I think my SNRs were in the 30’s.

fmd

gelid Old days… 🙂

It may drop a little in the FDX OFDM channels. It will be interesting to get some stats.

gelid

It has been a minute since I messed around with IPv6 in pfSense. Since I’m in bridge mode, trying to request a /60 but only seem to be assigned a /128 on the WAN (WANXF). I have one of my LANs set for IPV6 Track Interface of this Xfinity WAN, with an index of 1. Anyone have any luck with IPv6 /60 on the XB10?

gelid

gelid Nevermind. I fixed it. All I had to do was check “Do not wait for an RA”.

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