Ignite WiFi Gateway Modem Gen 3 (XB8) - Use as Access Point? Reduce Band Steering?

[Sacs]

Hello,

As the subject of the post suggests I am wondering if I am able to continue to use the provided router as an access point? I am one of the few who has Rogers FTTH, but now the problem is that the only 2.5gb port is used for WAN access by the ONT. So I have no way to get more than 1gbps out of the XB8 other than Wifi 6E, and I cant serve 2.5gb to the home. This is a little annoying that this is how they've set up their fiber service. 

I have two possible solutions:

-Use my own managed multigig switch at the ONT, and continue to use the XB8 as a router. Similar setup to the people with 8gbps service

-Buy/Build my own 10gb router, unmanaged multigig switch, and then use my own access point. If possible I would use the XB8 as a router/access point.

Also it seems that the band steering on this modem is very aggressive, it will default to AC internet very quickly upstairs even though I have pretty good signal upstairs. Can this be disabled on the XB8? Looking at the settings it is hard to tell.

Anyone have any opinions/thoughts here?

* Added Labels*

[Datalink · Accepted solution]

@Sacs you are correct, with Rogers fibre service, there are really only two choices, use the modem, or, ..... don't use the modem.  Have a look at the following post, although I suspect that you already know many of the details:

https://communityforums.rogers.com/t5/Internet/How-to-disable-Rogers-Ignite-Wifi-Hub-remote-manageme...

So, fwiw, the blame for the shortcoming in providing access beyond the modem for 2.5 Gb/s data rates lies with Comcast.  Rogers and Shaw licence Comcast's Xfinity system, which includes the modems and set top boxes, so any design deficiencies starts with Comcast.  To be fair to Comcast, they announced upgrades to their system to 10 Gb/s in Feb, but, they have not announced what modem will be used and more importantly, what that modem will be capable of, 2.5 Gb/s data rates or more, beyond the modem for example.  It would be rather disappointing to see 10 Gb/s service to a modem, only be kneecapped down to 1 Gb/s on the ethernet ports.  So, Comcast isn't saying what they have planned, and as a result, Rogers isn't saying anything either. 

So, at the present time that puts customers in a position of removing the modem completely and using their own router in order to run higher data rates beyond the router.  That appears to be the only way to do it.  

Now, to be really fair to the current situation, yes, you can run higher data rates beyond a router, but, there are few router choices available to do that, and anything that is available isn't cheap.  Manufacturers are heading towards multi-gig ports on routers, but, at the present time we're talking about a single WAN port and single LAN port with possibly an SFP+ port thrown in.  Just depends on what router you're looking at.  If you're looking for multiple multi-gig ports on the LAN side, your looking at building a router with that capability, or running a multi-gig switch behind the router which has multiple ports on it.  

"The need for speed" is here, but, as usual, it isn't cheap or easy to do.