Xfinity gateway (modem) upgrade is NOT always simple

Note... I learned that a gateway is a modem with a built in router to connect RJ45 computer cables

My 6 year old Cisco DPC3941T Xfinity (Comcast) modem/gateway still works, but since it is now 3 generations old (models XB6-XB7-XB8) it does not have the latest built in security technology... plus it is 'about' half as slow as the latest version

I have ignored past emails from Xfinity offering a no cost trade but this time I decided it was time to retire the old Cisco and install a new box

I made this decision only AFTER I talked to a woman in tech support who said that I could go into the new modem and set the WiFi names to be the same as I already have... So I would not need to go to every WiFi device and do a new setup

To verify this I went into the Cisco... 6 years ago I changed the default password (printed on a label on the box) and changed the passwords for the 2.4 and 5.0 WiFi lines to ones easier to use when adding a WiFi device (such as a cell phone)

I had not changed the WiFi line names, but now see that I could have... so I went to the link in the email and told Xfinity to send me a new modem

New modem arrived... disconnected old one and connected power and data lines... go into new modem on my computer... Browser address 10.0.0.1 ID=admin PW=??? (not saying here)

Things were not working right so I called Xfinity... it seems that gateways, like initial Windows installs, need to have updates sent

After the update(s) were sent and installed and restarted the gateway I was able to go into the 'bios' and change the 2.4/5 WiFi channels to my names and passwords

All WiFi devices are connected and working... Total time about 2 hours (Internet download speed is now 933 -vs- the 'about' half that with the Cisco gateway)

The only somewhat 'bad' part is I had to call Xfinity to have the updates SENT to the gateway instead of being able to do the update via a web link (or, at least I didn't find such a link and the Xfinity person didn't say I could do the update myself)