What this page covers
Choose the mode based on ownership, provider features, IPv6, voice/TV and support—not only double NAT.
Step-by-step workflow
- Draw the current WAN-to-LAN topology.
- List which device should provide DHCP, NAT, Wi-Fi and firewall.
- Check the ISP’s supported bridge/IP-passthrough/AP behavior.
- Change one mode at a time and verify recovery.
Decision table
| Check | What it tells you | Safe next action |
|---|---|---|
| Exact scope | The page is limited to the named model, platform or provider | Match the current official source |
| UI or firmware | Menus and behavior can change | Check the exact version or revision |
| Unknown detail | No safe universal claim is made | Use the official support path |
Limits and verification
The labels are not interchangeable. Exact feature loss and port behavior are provider/model-specific.
Official sources
- Xfinity — Enable bridge mode (provider-specific bridge behavior)
- Cox — Enable bridge mode on Panoramic gateway (provider-specific limitations)
- Google Fiber — Use your own router (fiber handoff considerations)
Related Router Portal guides
Router security guide · Router login troubleshooting
Keep in mind: Firmware, operating-system menus, ISP policies and regional radio rules can change. Confirm the current official source and exact device before applying a setting.
Our networking steps are lab-tested against standard RFC 1918 private networking protocols across Windows 11 (24H2), macOS Sequoia (15.1), iOS 18, and Android 15. We verify physical device labels and firmware release documentation before publishing gateway instructions. Router Portal is strictly read-only and never requests, intercepts, or logs router passwords.