ckealey8
join:2001-12-27
Horsham, PA
| The WAN port on my router is empty...is that normal?
OK, I had the whole "triple play" package installed last Monday and, so far, I've been thrilled with the internet and TV. The phone, not so much. But, anyway, on to my question. I had pre-wired my house with CAT5e for the computers and used the existing coax for the two STBs (one standard def, one HD DVR). I was going into the "wiring closet" where they installed the ONT, router, etc to secure the patch cables and neaten things up a bit. While there, I was checking out the Actiontech router and made an interesting discovery: there's nothing plugged into the WAN port! I imagined that there would be a patch going from the ONT to the WAN port (patch cables for my 3 computers go to the LAN ports).
This has me wondering how the heck the router is connected to the ONT? Is this setup normal? I mean, my internet service is fantastic (multiple tests over 2 days gave anywhere from 8 to 12 Mbps), and both STBs get all their programming info (which comes through the coax port on the router, as I understand it). |
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DMS1
join:2005-04-06
Carrollton, TX
| Your installation is using MoCA for the WAN connection between the router and the ONT, as well as for the LAN connection between the router and the STBs. The Actiontec router supports two MoCA interfaces (WAN-side and LAN-side) on the same connector. |
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ckealey8
join:2001-12-27
Horsham, PA
| Ah, OK. That makes sense. What would be involved in switching to use ethernet from the ONT to the AT? Would there be any benefit? As it is, I've got 4 computers connected directly to the AT (well, 2 directly, the other 2 through a switch) and my old USR8054 router (to avoid reconfiguring the half-dozen wireless devices I've got running). My sister had her AT go belly-up 2 days after the warranty expired, but she only has internet and replaced it with a cheap Belkin dealie. I really don't feel like paying $130 for a new router when this one dies, so if switching to ethernet provisioning and using my own router (I've got at least 5 or 6 different routers laying around) for the internet stuff (leaving the AT to handle JUST the TV stuff) will lessen the load and potentially increase its lifespan, I'd do it.
-Chad |
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Telcoguru
Premium
join:2005-08-22
Fresh Meadows, NY | Why not rename the AT SSID to the one in your wireless devices and use your previous encryption key also, that way you do not have to reconfigure your wireless devices only the AT. |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| reply to ckealey8
said by ckealey8  :I really don't feel like paying $130 for a new router when this one dies, If you have FiOS TV, the router will be replaced for free as needed. It's required for full TV service so no worries there. |
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defaultPlay56
join:2007-11-30
Collegeville, PA
·Comcast
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to ckealey8
If you're interesting in switching to use ethernet from the ONT to the Actiontec you must call Verizon and have them switch it over.
There are some benefits from switching over and I have seen them from experience. First off, you can place your own personal router in front of the Actiontec if it is of better quality and/or performs better.
I'm using a D-Link DGL-4500 as my primary router and it takes care of everything Internet related. The Actiontec is hooked up to the D-Link for only TV purposes.
The Actiontec does have a puny NAT table in comparison to some other routers so in my case it elimated this weakness. I also am not a fan of the Actiontec's administrative abilities and found it lacking many features my D-Link has so that's another reason for my switch. |
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Belspur
join:2003-11-15
Sarasota, FL | reply to ckealey8
Hello defaultPlay,
How do you like your DGL-4500?
I am thinking of getting one. 
Any pros or cons to the router.
Thanks, |
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