ZippityDoDa
join:2009-11-05
| Plug directly into ONT?
Hello everyone, my contract with my current ISP, TV, and phone provider is coming to an end. Verizon has recently, as in the past 6 months or so, extended it's FiOS network to my house. I definitely wouldn't object to the speed boost but I have been researching and come across some things that I am kinda confused about.
I have heard that I can not use the Actiontech and plug directly into the ONT and it will work. Maybe if possible get them to put the ONT near my networked area, or get them to run CAT5 or CAT6 to where I want them (this would be a fairly short run). Maybe it requires something else that I missed in a couple FAQ guides that mentioned it. Note that I don't plan on getting their TV service, nothing against their service it is just that I already get all the channels + more that I need now. Also, I don't really want to learn all the channel numbers again (had the same service provider for 20 or so years).
So basically I was just wondering what sort of hardware I may need prior installing if this is indeed doable. I already have a wired gigabit "gaming" router, a wired switch, and a wireless N router. All used in my current networking of the house. Everything on the wireless router doesn't require a ton of speed just basic browsing, but I have good speeds with the wireless router even so. The wired router is my main one and I use it for everything, although I ran out of ports for a couple of my gaming consoles so I have a cheap switch in play just to add a few more slots to connect my PS3 and Wii to the net. I also have a few unused ethernet cables of different lengths if I would need that.
Also, what I should ask for when the Verizon Tech comes by. Can they install CAT5/6 from the start instead of COAX to make what I want to do, if possible, even easier? |
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syrgeek
join:2009-06-04
Syracuse, NY | Can they make your data an ethernet connection rather than coax? Absolutely, make sure you tell the tech before he starts running any cables during install. |
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MattRyan
@verizon.net
| reply to ZippityDoDa
I asked the installer to connect the actiontech using ethernet rather than coax. I told him I wanted to use my own router. He told me that such a configuration was not supported and he did not think it would work. He agreed to connect the verizon actiontech router to the ont using ethernet though. After he left I swapped the actiontech for my linux firewall box and put the actiontech behind it (so the actiontech got it's DHCP address from my linux firewall. This worked like a charm. I did have to clone the actiontechs mac address but other than that it just works. I've heard that doing this causes the PC link software and DVR programming via the verizon website to not work but I don't use any of that stuff so no big deal to me. |
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VZ_FrankN
join:2009-10-13
Belmar, NJ | reply to ZippityDoDa
Hello ZippityDoDa,
I you are only getting vz internet service you do not need out actiontech router. You can use your router via ethernet connection. When you place your order just tell the CSR you want to be provisioned for enet. |
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ZippityDoDa
join:2009-11-05
| reply to ZippityDoDa
Thanks everyone for the replies, and the help.
Rather than creating a new topic I will just ask my second question here.
My wife thinks we should go ahead and get TV through them, and have everything with one company. I still want to keep the old TV, but I am not a huge fan of change (as you probably can tell from my stubbornness to not use the Actiontech).
Also there is a slight problem I see with it. Problem is, the router would be in a spot where a couple receivers would have issues getting signal. I have 5 TVs in my house, 2 upstairs, one in the basement, one in the kitchen, and one in my bedroom. The basement and upstairs ones would have no issues, I wouldn't think. The kitchen one shouldn't either really, it is probably 30 feet away from where the router would be. I can get 90% signal strength using my wireless N router, in the kitchen.
The main problem will be with the one in my bedroom. The Layout of my house is a little strange, and in order to get signal back there I would have to use a repeater of some sort. My house is kinda L shaped, in a way. The basement/upstairs is a split foyer of sorts (7 stairs each way) and the kitchen is right off of the stairs. Our bedroom is branched off the main portion of the house (we recently in the past 10 years or so added it on). The hallway to the bedroom is probably 15 or 20 feet long then the TV is in the back corner as well. So the TV is another 15 or so feet back. The room is wired for coax cable, so that isn't a problem.
»img25.imageshack.us/img25/4263/fiosd.jpg
^ Is a terrible drawing definitely not to scale, but gives more of an idea of what I am talking about.
Blue is the basement where the network is, and one TV.
Yellow is upstairs where 2 TVs are.
Green is the kitchen, with one TV.
Red is the bedroom TV I think is going to cause problems.
Even if the router was in the kitchen I would think it would struggle to hit my bedroom TV with a quality signal.The router is a little closer to the back of the house, so the signal I assume would have a pretty straight shot at the TV (no trees in that section of the backyard). I would still guesstimate 60 - 70 feet it would have to go.
Also, I do still plan on circumventing the Actiontech (because I am hardheaded) and reattaching it to the network if we do get FiOS TV. Which I see guides to help me achieve that.
Thanks again for all of your help, I really appreciate it. |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
 ·Bay Area Internet ..
| I get that you're concerned about wireless coverage, but I wasn't able to follow why that would be any different if you got FIOS-TV.
•Get a cat5 connection between the ONT and your primary router as [syrgeek] suggested.
•Turn off the wireless in the Actiontec. Everything is covered now, right?
•If you get FIOS-TV, connect the Actiontec behind your router per the FAQs. If you don't get FIOS-TV, you don't need the Actiontec.
Some additional things to keep in mind:
BTW, you didn't post where you're located. Your location determines whether you get will get an Actiontec or a Westell.
If you are going to use your own router as the primary router, make sure it can handle FIOS speeds (including VOD). Some SOHO routers do not.
It's possible to install a MOCA bridge to get ethernet connections in rooms that have only coax. See this FAQ:
»Verizon Online FiOS FAQ »Can I get an ethernet connection in a room with only coax?
This works great for gaming consoles. |
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Light Guy
join:2006-05-12
Somerville, NJ
| reply to ZippityDoDa
The Set Top Boxes do not get their IP`s wirelessly.
Basically they communicate through the coax on a Moca Lan Network that ride on a different frequency then the RF.
Presently you can get up to 7 IP addressable STBs
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ZippityDoDa
join:2009-11-05
| reply to ZippityDoDa
said by More Fiber  :I get that you're concerned about wireless coverage, but I wasn't able to follow why that would be any different if you got FIOS-TV. •Get a cat5 connection between the ONT and your primary router as [syrgeek] suggested. •Turn off the wireless in the Actiontec. Everything is covered now, right? •If you get FIOS-TV, connect the Actiontec behind your router per the FAQs. If you don't get FIOS-TV, you don't need the Actiontec. Some additional things to keep in mind: BTW, you didn't post where you're located. Your location determines whether you get will get an Actiontec or a Westell. If you are going to use your own router as the primary router, make sure it can handle FIOS speeds (including VOD). Some SOHO routers do not. Ah sorry, I am in the Northern Virginia area. A good buddy of mine has FiOS, who lives in my area. He has the Actiontech router. I also read a post or 2 about people in my area either on this site, or elsewhere, where they mentioned having the Actiontech. So I just assumed I would be getting it as well.
As far as my router, I would assume it should be able to handle it. »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···33127060 is the one I have.
I also have a switch »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···17130108 The only thing I use the switch for currently is my consoles, because I ran out of open ports on my router. Only one console is ever on at a time as they are all connected to the same TV.
My wireless N router is a Netgear which I believe is »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···33122235
Current setup :
ISP Modem > Dlink router
Dlink router > Netgear Wireless N
Dlink router > My desktop
Dlink router > Switch
Switch > each console
I have an open spot on the D link, which I plan on placing whatever VZ router I get if we going with the TV package.
said by Light Guy :The Set Top Boxes do not get their IP`s wirelessly. Basically they communicate through the coax on a Moca Lan Network that ride on a different frequency then the RF. Presently you can get up to 7 IP addressable STBs This is exactly what confused me. Basically I thought the boxes had a wireless card in them. I thought the STBs got their information (guide...etc) wirelessly, via the actiontech (or router).
Should my current router be sufficient? If not, have any recommendations.
Or if you see any potential problems with my setup, or I have neglected to fill in pertinent information please let me know.
Thank you so much for the great responses. I am officially a numbskull, and I apologize for asking stupid questions. |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| The Netgear WNR2000 can handle up to 92Mbps of download, which is fine for the highest current FIOS tier (50/20).
When VZ comes out for the install, ask for cat5 from the ONT to where the D-Link is. If you get FIOS-TV, the Actiontec will need a coax connection from the STBs. This is why VZ normally does a coax only install from the ONT to the router.
In the past it seems they would only connect cat5 if it was already in place, otherwise they would charge for running it.
They seem to be more liberal about this lately, but that may be due to more "Just-Inside" installs of the ONT. which means it is a simple matter of using a cat5 patch cable.
Let the VZ tech install the Actiontec as primary and verify that everything is working correctly. Once he has done that, then you can switch the cat5 WAN connection from the Actiontec to your router. Be sure to release the DHCP lease on the Actiontec before you do so. |
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