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Mr. Luddite

On 11/21/2013 8:43 PM, wrote:

I guess I am still confused.. If this is really an unsecured WiFi how
do they restrict it to Comcast customers only?

BTW if you want to know what IP you are on there are dozens of sites
that will show you what you are reporting.
GRC.COM is a good one. Shields up (on that site) will also probe your
machine to give you an idea about how well your firewall is working.

Here's how it works:

If your device (computer, smart phone, iPad or whatever) detects a
"XFINITYWiFi" signal as an available network, you connect to it.

At first it doesn't appear to connect to anything. In fact, my computer
initially reported "Local access only, no Internet connection" meaning
the computer is talking to the router/modem but is not connected to the
Internet.

You then open whatever browser you use. It will automatically open to a
Comcast Xfinity website page used for this system.

You enter your Comcast email address and your Comcast account password.

It then reports you are connected to the Internet and you can open
whatever website you want or use your email server. It's appears to be
exactly the same as being connected to your regular Internet connection
except it's not a WPS protected, secure network.

You only have to do this procedure once per device. Once you've done
it, you can connect to any "XFINITYWiFi" signal anywhere without having
to enter your Comcast account info again.

I *think* (but am not sure) that once connected to XFINITYWiFi it may
allow a seamless transfer of that connection from location to location
as long as there are no signal dropouts in between. XFINITYWiFi is the
same connection in my house as it is in someone else's house 10 miles
away (assuming they have the service). If enough houses in between are
broadcasting the second channel "XFINITYWiFi" signal, you could
theoretically drive the 10 miles and stay connected. Again, I am not
sure about this and I forgot to ask the Comcast geek, but from reading
the info about it, I think that's how it will work when fully deployed.

Comcast is pushing it for streaming movies, music, etc., as well as
typical browser and email use.

I can confirm one thing. Since the recent upgrades to our system and
the new, Comcast provided combination modem/router, our Internet access
speed has increased dramatically. I've never experienced this speed
before. Comcast is advertising it as being up to 3 times faster than Fios.

Final note:

I was getting disgusted and frustrated with Comcast over the past few
months because our service was deteriorating and getting unreliable. It
turns out that the older modem/router we had and the distribution
amplifiers were not capable of supporting the upgraded service and
higher speeds Comcast is in the process of installing. Once they
replaced everything with new equipment, it has been excellent.