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I apologize, as I am sure this question has been tackled before.
I am currently subscribed to FiOS TV and Internet with a COAX hookup.
My question is the following; Is it possible to use an Ethernet set up if we wish to continue with FiOS television? I do not care much for the Verizon standard Actiontec router and I wish to us the Linksys WRT610N instead.
I know I can switch the Actiontec into bridge mode if we cannot switch to an Ethernet connection. Does using the Actiontec as a bridge effect the abilities of the WRT610N? Will I still benefit from the WRT610N's dual channel broadcasting and wireless N capabilities if the Actiontec acts as a bridge?
Thanks in advance for your repsonse(s),
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@rkrysz wrote:I apologize, as I am sure this question has been tackled before.
I am currently subscribed to FiOS TV and Internet with a COAX hookup.
My question is the following; Is it possible to use an Ethernet set up if we wish to continue with FiOS television? I do not care much for the Verizon standard Actiontec router and I wish to us the Linksys WRT610N instead.
I know I can switch the Actiontec into bridge mode if we cannot switch to an Ethernet connection. Does using the Actiontec as a bridge effect the abilities of the WRT610N? Will I still benefit from the WRT610N's dual channel broadcasting and wireless N capabilities if the Actiontec acts as a bridge?
Yes, you can use ethernet with FiOS TV. Many do, including myself.
You still need the Actiontec connected (unless you get a Motorola NIM-100 on ebay as a substitute) if you use Verizon boxes, as the Motorola QIP STBs and DVRs retrieve guide data through the Actiontec over the coax. But you don't have to use WAN (Internet) routing or wireless capabilities of the Actiontec; you can use your own router for that.
You must run the ethernet cable to the ONT outside, because Verizon will not do that for you. Once ethernet is connected, you can call Verizon to switch your from coax to ethernet. Basic steps:
Q. Help! The Actiontec router is no good at (fill in the blank) because its (fill in the blank) just doesn't (fill in the blank).
A. How are you getting data to the Actiontec? Coax or cat5e?
Q. How do I tell?
A. Log in to the Actiontec, click on My Network icon, click on Connections menu item, then see what Broadband Connection is connected. That's your data source. If you are connected through PPPoE, then post a topic in the Verizon FiOS forum. This FAQ entry does not address PPPoE.
Q. My data source is Broadband Connection (Coax). What do I need to do?
A. Run cat5 wire, or cat5e or cat6 (all will work) properly terminated between the router and the ONT. My ONT lists the colorcode for T568A, someone else said it was supposed to be T568B, but practically speaking the difference is marginal. If you don't know what that means, get someone else to run the wire. Or, get a long enough ethernet cable that is already terminated.
Release the IP address, then power off the Actiontec. Plug the cat5 into the RJ45 jack on the ONT, and into the WAN ethernet port on the Actiontec.
Call the FSC at 888-553-1555, navigate through the menus to get to tech support. Tell the rep "I want to have the internet connection from my ONT to the Actiontec router changed from the coax connection to the ethernet connection. I understand that is something you can do without additional charge to me because the wire is already in place. Can you do that for me now, please?"
Alternatively, you can post your request in the Verizon Direct forum, but verifying the change has been made may be difficult if you do not have an alternate connection to the internet.
When they do that, and say it is done, power up the Actiontec and let it complete the bootup sequence. You should see lights on the router indicating the Ethernet WAN is selected. If the Coax WAN light is lit, ask if the changeover is is complete. Otherwise, you should have an internet connection. Verify by logging in to the Actiontec and viewing the Connections page as detailed above.
You should take the time now to verify proper operation of the internet, including speed tests. Don't proceed unless you are satisfied with your wired connection.
After you've confirmed a successful switch from coax WAN to ethernet WAN:
Login to the Actiontec router and disable its wireless, so it's wireless doesn't interfere with the capabilities of your own router. Unplug the ethernet cable from the WAN port on the Actiontec and connect it to the WAN port on your own router. You'd connect the Actiontec to one of the switched ports on your router. You would keep the coax connected to your Actiontec, as the STBs and DVRs use it to download guide data.
Before you buy any new router, be sure to check out the reviews on SmallNetBuilder. That is the site for router reviews. It has separate charts for wired and wireless router performance. The Linksys WRT610N looks like an excellent performer for wireless.