Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
|  Can I use another modem with FIOS?
I have an extra Motorola modem that I used to use with cable internet years back. I was wondering if I could also use that with my FIOS service. I don't want to stop using my ActionTek router; I just want to use this upstairs also.
Dealing with the wireless router is annoying to me. I constantly have to unplug my wireless adapter and plug it back in. Also, the stupid router needs to be rebooted routinely and I hate to go downstairs every time that happens. Basically, I want to be plugged in directly, but I have no way of running the cable all the way downstairs toi where the router is located.
So is it possible to use a second modem with my FIOS service? |
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JohnA
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Pittsburgh, PA |
There is no modem in FIOS. |
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tbucs
join:2008-04-16
Tampa, FL | reply to Mike4
do you have fios tv too? and is the router connected via Ethernet or coax? |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
edit:
July 2nd, @12:52PM
| reply to JohnA
said by JohnA  :There is no modem in FIOS. The ActionTek is a modem/router in one. |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
| reply to tbucs
said by tbucs :do you have fios tv too? and is the router connected via Ethernet or coax? Yes, I have FIOS TV also. My router downstairs is connected by coax. |
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JohnA
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Pittsburgh, PA | reply to Mike4
The AT is a router, period. |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| reply to Mike4
said by Mike4 :said by JohnA :There is no modem in FIOS. The ActionTek is a modem/router in one. Not really. It's a router that handles MoCA (multimedia over coax). There isn't any MOdulating/DEModulating (modem) going on... |
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PoloDude
Premium,VIP
join:2006-03-29
East Northport, NY | The ONT technically is the modem. |
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N O Y B
St. John 3.16
join:2005-12-15
Forest Grove, OR
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
| reply to Mike4
The short answer is no.
The longer answer is as others have said, you do not use a modem with FiOS. You use a router with either CAT5 or better UTP ethernet, or COAX MoCA, connection to the ONT. So the answer is still no.
My Verizon branded Actiontec MI424WR (rev. C) has been up now for nearly 2 months. I use WiFI almost exclusively and have no problems with that either. Maybe the issue is your WiFI adapter.
--
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birdfeedr
Premium
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Mike4
In order to get better wireless reception, you can
a) solve the wireless interference/reception problem, or
b) bridge the Actiontec to a router of your choice which you believe will solve the problem, or
c) replace the Actiontec as primary router after you've switched your data provision over to ethernet broadband.
Check out the FAQs (including terminology).
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Early to bed, early to rise makes me .... employed! |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
edit:
July 2nd, @04:42PM
| reply to darcilicious
said by darcilicious :Not really. It's a router that handles MoCA (multimedia over coax). There isn't any MOdulating/DEModulating (modem) going on... I stand corrected. I had never seen a router with a coax plug and I thought I remember being told it was a modem and router in one. I guess you learn something every day. |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
| reply to N O Y B
said by N O Y B :The short answer is no. The longer answer is as others have said, you do not use a modem with FiOS. You use a router with either CAT5 or better UTP ethernet, or COAX MoCA, connection to the ONT. So the answer is still no. Ok. In that case, is it possible to obtain another modem and use it in a household that already has one? Is the ActionTek the only one that will work?
said by N O Y B :My Verizon branded Actiontec MI424WR (rev. C) has been up now for nearly 2 months. I use WiFI almost exclusively and have no problems with that either. Maybe the issue is your WiFI adapter. I'm happy that yours doesn't give you issues, but I find that when I'm downloading multiple files that are pretty large, the router decides to poop out. Yes - my wireless adapter does give me problems, but I've used many different brands and types and have always had problems. Wireless just does not work as well as wired does.
The other reason I'd like to have this type of setup is because I sometimes play my XBOX360 upstairs and if I want to do anything online, I must share the connection on my computer. The online speed on the XBOX360 really suffers when I do this. |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
edit:
July 2nd, @04:49PM
| reply to birdfeedr
said by birdfeedr :In order to get better wireless reception, you can a) solve the wireless interference/reception problem, or b) bridge the Actiontec to a router of your choice which you believe will solve the problem, or c) replace the Actiontec as primary router after you've switched your data provision over to ethernet broadband. Check out the FAQs (including terminology). I don't actually think there's anything especially wrong with the Actiontec. In fact, I think it's a great router. It just happens to need a good reset every once in a while - just like any other wireless router I've ever dealt with.
I'm sorry, but this thread somehow how took a left turn into a discussion about my wireless signal and what to do about it. I need to straighten this back out. I don't really have an issue with how things are working. I just know that if I plugged my computer directly into an ethernet port on the back of the router, I wouldn't have to worry about losing my connection anymore. I was just tossing around an idea of having a second router - located much closer to my computer - running inside my house. |
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More Fiber
Premium
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
 ·Bay Area Internet ..
| You absolutely can run your own router either in front of or behind the Actiontec. This post outlines three options:
»Re: Smoothwall
If you go the ethernet route, this set of FAQs replaces option #3 in the above post:
FAQ 3.1_Actiontec |
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birdfeedr
Premium
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Mike4
said by Mike4 :I was just tossing around an idea of having a second router - located much closer to my computer - running inside my house. Sure, plug in a router to the Actiontec. Start somewhere around step 5. in »Verizon Online FiOS FAQ »Replacing the Actiontec (part 3): WAN-to-LAN keeps Guide and VOD (easier) Remember that the Actiontec is still your primary router, so keep track of that when following the step.
Keep in mind the address conflict. Address your add-on as 192.168.0.1 so it doesn't conflict with Actiontec's 192.168.1.1 and you're good to go.
Don't sweat double-natting for standard internet stuff.
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Early to bed, early to rise makes me .... employed! |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
| reply to More Fiber
More Fiber and birdfeedr,
Thank you very much for your replies, but it seems like you're saying a second router would need to be connected to the Actiontec. This isn't possible and if it was, I would simply run a cable to connect my computer to the Actiontec itself.
What I'm talking about is having a separate router upstairs, while the Actiontec is downstairs. I have a TV with a STB upstairs, so I was thinking of splitting the coax that runs to it and running one coax to the STB and the other coax to another router (I guess another Actiontec, since I need a coax input).
I really don't know if you can even buy one of these Actiontec routers anywhere and I also don't know if Verizon will allow two routers running at once. |
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buckingham
Buckingham Pa
join:2005-07-17
Buckingham, PA
 ·Vonage
| Mike, I do not believe you can have a second router on residential service. It might be possible with a business account and static IP addresses, but you'd have to ask VZ about that.
An option available to you to connect a PC elsewhere in your home where you can't run a Cat5 cable or connect via wireless is to use powerline adapters. These basically connect to the Ethernet network on one end (at the router) and use the home wiring to transmit the network signal, returning it to Ethernet "format" at the PC end. It may also be possible to use a MOCA adapter (NIM) to do the same, but I'm less familiar with that technology. The bottom line is that you don't need another router...you need a way to get the network to the remote PC. |
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Mike4
join:2008-07-01
Bridgewater, NJ
| I've seen those powerline adapters and I forgot all about those. They seemed like a great idea, but also seemed a bit expensive when I saw them. I'll have to keep those in mind. If I was to get a pair, I could hook a router (I do have an extra router from before I had FIOS) up to the one in my bedroom and plug in my computer and my XBOX360. That way, I wouldn't have to go through ICS on my computer.
Hmmm... I think I really like that idea. I just have to find some cheap enough.
Thanks. |
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More Fiber
Premium
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| reply to Mike4
said by Mike4 :It seems like you're saying a second router would need to be connected to the Actiontec. What I'm talking about is having a separate router upstairs, while the Actiontec is downstairs. I have a TV with a STB upstairs, so I was thinking of splitting the coax that runs to it and running one coax to the STB and the other coax to another router (I guess another Actiontec, since I need a coax input). Ah. I didn't realize that was what you were asking, so I assumed an ethernet connection from the Actiontec to another router.
Yes, there are currently two ways to do what you want.
•A Motorola NIM-100 MOCA to ethernet bridge.
•A second Actiontec router functions as a MOCA bridge.
Full details are here:
»Verizon Online FiOS FAQ »Can I get an ethernet connection in a room with only coax?
Both the NIM-100 and the Actiontec MI424-WR can usually be found on ebay. The less functional NIM-100 has been going for about $50 used and the Actiontecs for about $30. |
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buckingham
Buckingham Pa
join:2005-07-17
Buckingham, PA
·Vonage
| reply to Mike4
said by Mike4 :I've seen those powerline adapters and I forgot all about those. They seemed like a great idea, but also seemed a bit expensive when I saw them. I'll have to keep those in mind. If I was to get a pair, I could hook a router (I do have an extra router from before I had FIOS) up to the one in my bedroom and plug in my computer and my XBOX360. That way, I wouldn't have to go through ICS on my computer. Hmmm... I think I really like that idea. I just have to find some cheap enough. Thanks. You do not need a second router. The powerline adapter (or MOCA setup that I mentioned and "More Fiber" mentioned) are the only thing you need. Yes, the powerline adapters are not inexpensive, but they are still an option. If you're VZ supplied Actiontec is attached via coax to the ONT, finding a NIM sounds like the most cost effective solution. |
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