Optimizing Networks For Xbox Live Gaming

I thought I'd share my recent experiences optimizing my own and and friends home network for gaming:

ME:

Location: Bentonville,AR area.

Internet Provide: Cox Communications

Internet Package: Ultimate 200mbps down/20mbps up

Modem Channels Supported: 12 Downstream Channels X 4 Upstream Channels

Modem: Netgear Nighthawk C7000 Cable Modem/Router

Xbox One Connection Type: Wired Cat6

Other Wireless Network Devices:

2 Xbox 360s

3 Tablets

2 Phones

4 Laptops

1 Smart TV

Results:

Speedtest.net Results: 30ms ping/225mbps down/23mbps up

Ping to ISP: 17ms.

Ping to Xbox Live Servers: 94ms.

Gameplay: Smooth when playing multiplayer Destiny or Madden NFL 16. Great connections and I rarely drop from gaming sessions.

FRIEND:

Location: Bentonville,AR area.

Internet Provide: Cox Communications

Internet Package: Preferred 50mbps down/5mbps up

Modem Channels Supported: 8 Downstream Channels X 4 Upstream Channels

Modem: **** SB6141

Router: Netgear R6300 Router

Xbox One Connection Type: Wireless 5GHZ

Other Wireless Network Devices on Wireless 2.4GHZ

3 Xbox Ones

2 Tablets

3 Phones

2 Desktops

1 Laptop

Results:

Speedtest.net Results: 36ms ping/58mbps down/6mbps up

Ping to ISP: 21ms.

Ping to Xbox Live Servers: 96ms.

Gameplay: There are some delays every now and then on Madden 16 and COD:AW. Most are not noticable. Some online sessions are dropped.

My method for maximizing my connections:

Contacting My Cable Provider: I started by calling my cable provider and requesting they check the signal to noise ratio, power levels, signal levels, and uncorrectable codewords from thier hub to my cable modem. As it turns out, there were several splitters
in my attic and the cable quality was terrible. A technician came and installed a new cable directly from the cable box over to my modem. He use a good quality coax cable and compression connectors.

Upgrading My Modem & Router: With the signal cleared up from the provider, I looked at my modem. I did have a DOCSIS 3.0 Modem/Router, but it only supported 8 channels downstream and 4 channels upstream. Again I contacted my cable provider and determined
that I didn't have a modem to meet the maximum speed potential of my internet package. After doing some research I settled on buying a Netgear Nighthawk 3000 Cable Modem/Router. I called support and had them update my modem type and also the channel support
for my account. My new modem was significantly fast and connected with 12 channels downstream and 4 channels upstream. It is the maximum speed for my provider's market.

Hardwiring My Connection: For the best connection possible I decided to hardwire my Xbox One. The wireless adapter is very good, but it isn't going to be as consistant as a 1 gigabit cable. I decided to use Cat6 ethernet because I wanted a better cable quality.
Cat5e will work just fine too.

Bottom Line: We have a good cable provider for our market. If you look at the ping results you can see even with top tier hardware and cabling I only connect a few ms faster than my friend using mid tier hardware and lower service package. The major difference
is he uses wireless and I use a wired connection. All you can really do is make sure your signal quality and modem support the best connection possible to your ISP. Once the traffic reaches them, it is all in thier hands.

:)

 

Cannot play online?

artisticallychill.com/.../optimizing-your-network-for-xbox-live

Check that link for optimizing your xbox live connection

 

Xbox one S and Wifi

See here for steps in optimizing your network for Xbox Live: http://support.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-one/networking/connection-solution

 

Good info , the problem for a lot of people though is that their isp really dosent care about "signal to noise ,power levels " or anything other than the speed test results , "if you can open a Web page , your Internet is working" is usually their stance
in my experience ...I wish the one in my area cared like yours does as I was on my own to get things connected properly...

 

Update: In addition to the physical network setup I have also optimized my NAT & Port Forwarding. My NAT type is open. I have been playing Black Ops III heavily since the release with ping times around 50-60ms to the server. Apart from bugs with Black Ops
III, I have had no issues either connecting or partying up.