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Need Advice questions RE: SWHOA Advisory Notes on Verizon

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by backtothewoooo, May 29, 2019.

  1. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    Does someone know what I need to prepare for the internet activation? I live in a SW townhouse where the existing setup is in a panel on the wall of the basement, I think.

    Per the SWHOA Advisory Notes on Verizon, “Note: For residents who require more than one data (ethernet port) you may be required to pay additional fees and purchase or self-provide additional equipment (gigabit or 1000 mbps cable switch) at the time of installation to enable data distribution to more than one ethernet port.”

    QUESTIONS:
    • I plan to buy an 8-port ethernet cable switch (or even a smaller 5-port if that would fit better). Has anyone in the same set up (panel in wall) who had the activation already, changed OB’s cable switch? If so, with what cable switch & did it not have any problem fitting the space?

    • If I settle for the one data port Verizon will provide, can I still have my own router on the second floor? Which one data port will be activated? I think OB currently has 5-6 data ports in all 3 floors.
    I’m not a techie, so even googling is not helping me. For those who can help with my questions, thank you very much!!!
     
  2. Weasel

    Weasel Member

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    Answers, based on my experience with my install:

    - You'll need to put a router before the switch. You can use the Verizon provided router, but it may not fit. It would not fit in mine. In addition to the router, Verizon installs an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) in the panel that replaces the OpenBand fiber connector. The ONT is very big in comparison. If it wont fit, you can still use it, but you'll have cables hanging out of the panel (one to the Verizon router and one back up to the switch). An alternative, depending on the number of ports you need active in your house, is to just use the Verizon router as the switch. It only has 5 ports, so depending on the number of active ports you need, you may need to pick and choose. If you do this, your WiFi access point (the router provided by Verizon) will be in the panel in your basement, which may not be ideal to get a good signal on your top floor.

    - Yes, if you want just one port and ideal WiFi access point placement, you can just plug the patch cable for the port that you want activated on the second floor straight into the Verizon ONT (hopefully they are labeled well so you know which one is which). Then you can plug the Verizon WiFi Router into the port in the wall on the 2nd floor. That may be the easiest setup for you if you are OK with just one active wired port in the house.

    Hope that helps.
     
    Last edited: May 29, 2019
  3. Excelsior

    Excelsior Southern Walk||IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO||

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    In my house, the patch panel is in the garage. The ONT panel sits off to the side with wires running out. The path is as follows: cable from ground --> ONT ---> patch panel wiring to MM port 4 ---> verizon router ---> output from verizon router ---> 5 port gigabit switch ----> MM ports 2, 3, 5, 7, 8. This powers 5 of my 8 ports. OpenBand used "smart wiring" that MC Dean built into our homes over a decade ago before WiFi was really a thing. You could do something like this and it would cost you the price of the switch and whatever the Verizon tech decides the charge for any extras. Or, you could scrap that whole plan and buy a wifi mesh for a few hundred that powers over 6,000 sq feet. I am actualy thinking of ripping all that wiring out myself and buying an Orbi. Seems cleaner and better.
     
  4. signifer

    signifer Member

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    Is there any reason I have to use the Verizon router? I have a wireless router I would like to keep and use (Netgear Nighthawk); I don't see a need for the Verizon router. At present, I hardwire the Netgear to the media converter for internet connectivity and use the Netgear to distribute where I want (mostly wireless). Why can't I just connect the Netgear to the ONT and do the same thing?
     
  5. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    This page should be helpful to everyone - http://www.dslreports.com/faq/verizonfios

    Basically, if you are internet only... no you don't need the FIOS router with ethernet from the ONT installs that Verizon does now. If you want to use FIOS for TV, there are uses for the FIOS router as it provides the bridge between the coax network and the IP network.
     
  6. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Mesh routers are the best for 'it just works' - but are expensive up front... and won't give you the full gigabit speed hardwired would. But honestly its more than fast enough.

    Its worth it just for the 'get out my way technology' and reliability.
     
  7. signifer

    signifer Member

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    Thanks for this; it makes sense. I'm only getting internet, so it sounds like I'm good to go.

    The link and information on mesh networking is useful. I've been looking into a mesh network and I plan to wait and see how things work after the Fios installation before taking that leap.
     
  8. krmckee

    krmckee Member

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    Thank you all for this information, I only wish I could understand it. Its still like reading another language ;)
     
  9. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    answers generally depend on if you are TV, or just internet customers.

    Personally I just used google wifi behind the FIOS router and lived with the double NAT setup for over a year with no complaints. Everything just works. Recently I setup some forwarding to have my media streamer work from outside.. and with some moderate setup that is working fine as well.

    But I'm a TV+internet customer... and I'm still on the older coax cable installation between the ONT and router. I don't pay for my router at this time.. so I could care less if its there.
     
  10. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    my setup...

    ONT -> FIOS Router -> (inhouse wire) -> google wifi on main level -> (inhouse wire) -> networking switch in basement -> (rest of inhouse wiring). Extra google wifi node up on top floor... whole house has good wifi, and wired jacks where they exist get networking.
     
  11. signifer

    signifer Member

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    I'm going to try TVision (the T-Mobile internet cable-ish option). It seems to offer more than Verizon for a little less per month.

    In my case, it looks like it will be: for internet ONT->(inhouse wiring)->Netgear router ->netgear wireless (with possibly a mesh network, if needed, but at the moment it is working fine with the Netgear location); but for cable it will be ONT->(inhouse wiring)-> netgear router (the same internet connection as above)->(ethernet cable->MOCA boxes/coax cables)-> TVision set top box ->HDMI-main tv or ->TVision boxes at other tvs via wireless.
    MOCA is used because the router and the tv are on different floors and the coax is already in place to connect them.

    This all happens next Monday (the 3rd), I'll see how it goes.
     
  12. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    I am an internet user only. My setup is a small panel in the wall. If I don't use the FIOS router, will all the existing OB ports (in all 3 floors) remain active? Thanks!
     
  13. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    The FIOS ONT will be ethernet... but will only give you one IP address. So you must have a NAT router of some sort, in addition to a ethernet switch, to support more than 1 connection. Normally the FIOS router would be that... or any other 3rd party combination switch/router. A cheap small wifi+switch router is probably a good option if the FIOS router doesn't fit (or if they are charging you for it). Cheap routers are sub $80

    But you'll also want to work out your wifi strategy. It's easy enough to hang your wifi off one of your ethernet connections... and not worry about wifi at the router/switch end.. tho typically that's where you'd put a wifi access point.

    I don't know the space/location constraints of your data cabinets... but since it's ethernet.. it's not hard to feed in/out of the cabinet.
     
  14. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    [QUOTE="signifer, post: 196063, member: This all happens next Monday (the 3rd), I'll see how it goes.[/QUOTE]

    Hi, signifer. can you update us on how the 6/3 install went? Is your setup in the garage or in a small panel in the (basement) wall? Thanks.
    Also, for those with setup in a small panel in the basement wall who has completed the Verizon internet activation, can you share your experience? issues? Thanks.
     
  15. signifer

    signifer Member

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    Glad to give an update when it is over on Monday. Fios is scheduled to be done by 2 pm. TVision follows, scheduled to be done by 5.
    Are you only interested in the internet installation or do you want to hear about TVision as well?

    Just a reminder, since I'm only getting internet from Verizon, my plan is to have Fios go straight to my router (i.e., no quantum router). From there, I will use my existing wireless networks in the house. TVision will be attached to my router. Not getting Verizon Fios allows me to not need the quantum router.
     
  16. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    Hi, Signifer. I'm only interested in the internet. But, I do want to know what happens to Verizon's router - do you get to use it (outside of the panel)? or they don't install it if I don't need tv/cable for now? Thanks, again.
     
  17. signifer

    signifer Member

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    My expectation is the Verizon quantum router won't be used. For internet, what it offers is redundant with my current router. As I understand it, one of the quantum router functions is wifi; I don't want multiple devices trying to do wifi and routing. The quantum router is needed for verizon tv, though.

    I'll let you know what really happens...
     
  18. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    The quantum router performs four functions

    NAT router with tolerable Firewall/Port Forwarding capabilities
    Switch
    Wifi AP
    MOCA Adaptor (provide IP over the coax network to the Settop boxes)

    The last item is what makes it essential to TV customers. But Internet only customers can address items 1-3 with any regular home router and have no need for item 4
     
  19. signifer

    signifer Member

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    Just finished the Verizon fios installation. It took a little over 2 1/2 hours. The guy who did it was great.

    A reminder, we're in one of the M&S townhouses, The outside connection is on the back of the townhouse and the box with all the cable connections is in the garage.

    First, the Verizon guy pulled new optical cable through the conduit from the connections at the back of the house to the box in the garage. Due to difficulties in pulling the cable through the conduit, this took nearly an hour. He then routed the Verizon infrastructure cable (previously put in our yard) to the openband box at the back of the house, installed a new box and connected the fiber cables. After this, he connected the infrastructure fiber to the distribution box buried behind the house. At this point, the fiber was all routed and connected.

    Next he worked in the box in the garage. He took out the media converter and replaced it with the ONT. This and its power supply were mounted in the box. Then he connected the cable to the ONT, the ONT to the quantum router (gateway), and the quantum router to the input to the ethernet in the house. (In our case, the quantum router output goes to our router which provides wireless networking.) The quantum router is sort of setting on the bottom of our box, but it sticks out and the panel won't go over it. The ONT and quantum router were activated; this took about 15 minutes. At this point, we had internet working as before (plus the quantum router was sending its own wireless networks). It took another 15 minutes or so for him to run some final tests.

    Doing the verizon speed test from the router give over 900 Mbps. Going over our wireless, gives us greater than 150 Mbps. (I need to change some router settings to try and make this better.)

    I hope this helps.

    Note: I've now removed the quantum router from the path and have the ONT output going directly to our router. This works great.
     
    backtothewoooo likes this.
  20. backtothewoooo

    backtothewoooo Member

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    Thanks, signifer!!
     

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