Exceeded my data limit for last four months, how to stop that. Data leak somewhere?

If you used the default router password, it's usually printed on a sticker on the back. or bottom of the router.

Scannerman said:

Plus with fiber optic you can lose the router if you want and run switches instead.

Click to expand...

Explain how with just a switch you get multiple computers connected to a single IP address?

gunrunnerjohn said:

Explain how with just a switch you get multiple computers connected to a single IP address?

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You still need a router if you want to use WiFi but you don't need a modem

gunrunnerjohn said:

Explain how with just a switch you get multiple computers connected to a single IP address?

Click to expand...

You don't, using a Layer 2 switch.

Even with multiple VLANs, you need a Layer 3 router to connect the networks.

Scannerman said:

At the very least go unlimited.

Click to expand...

I plan to.

Not related to what the OP was asking about but FYI....

Google Fiber (GFiber) uses a Fiber Jack (ONT) so no modem needed. To connect multiple computers to a Fiber Jack (Optical Network Terminal or ONT), you must use a router or a network switch connected through a router, because an ONT typically provides only a single active public IP address.

I have a traditional cable Internet Gateway. The Gateway combines a modem and router. It had 4 Ethernet ports, and 3-bands Wi-Fi.

Note if I only had a modem to connect to the Internet it would support one computer plugged into it. To support more computers (or other devices) I would need a router. The router has a fixed number of wired Ethernet ports and a wireless part for multiple Wi-Fi connections. A switch can be used to add more wired Ethernet ports. If you have a good router then you probably won't run out of Wi-Fi connections.

One time when I needed a 5th Ethernet port. To solve that I bought a 5-port Ethernet switch. I ran an Ethernet cable from one port on the Gateway to one port on the switch. That left 3 Ethernet ports on the Gateway and 4 Ethernet ports on the switch. Each computer plugged into the switch was assigned a local IP address by the router in the Gateway.

About IP addresses...

A standalone modem receives a public IP address from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you plug a single computer directly into a standalone modem, that computer temporarily uses the public IP address.

A router has two sides and uses both public and private addresses.

• WAN Side (Public): When connected to a modem, the router's WAN (Wide Area Network) port takes or shares the public IP address from the ISP.
• LAN Side (Private): The router assigns private local IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1) to all devices on your home Wi-Fi, such as phones, laptops, and smart TVs.

Xfinity Equipment and Speed Differences

• Upload Speeds: Xfinity requires their leased xFi Gateways to support enhanced, symmetrical, or higher upload speeds in newly upgraded network areas, as very few retail modems are certified for these enhancements yet.
• Download Speeds: You can use your own compatible third-party modem or router, but matching Xfinity's top-tier multi-gigabit download speeds requires specialized high-end retail hardware.

So technically users can buy and use their own modems and routers. However, the trick is finding equipment that support their high-speed requirements.

I have an Xfinity Gigabit X2 Internet. It provides 2100 Mbps down and 300 Mbps up. I also have Xfinity Voice which provides service for my landline phones. I have an Xfinity XB8 Gateway. In addition to the wired and wireless Internet it provides two ports for landline phones.

I could have provided my own equipment but decided to stick with the Gateway provided by Comcast. It simplifies my life.

MisterEd said:

I could have provided my own equipment but decided to stick with the Gateway provided by Comcast. It simplifies my life.

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At a recurring monthly cost.

My idea of simplifying my life is keeping Comcast's paws off my network, including the router. Their routers also have another channel for mobile users to log into (and suck your bandwidth and potentially see your network).

MisterEd said:

Not related to what the OP was asking about but FYI....

Google Fiber (GFiber) uses a Fiber Jack (ONT) so no modem needed. To connect multiple computers to a Fiber Jack (Optical Network Terminal or ONT), you must use a router or a network switch connected through a router, because an ONT typically provides only a single active public IP address.

Click to expand...

Verizon FIOS has the same setup. The ONT provides a single IP address, and years ago when my Verizon router crapped out, I used an old Netgear router for a couple of days. One big downside, it didn't provide the MoCA interface so my TV's didn't work.