Connecting a Gigabit Switch to the Verizon/Actiontek MI424-W Router
DTKempII
Enthusiast - Level 1

I didn't see any discussions directly regarding this.  I have two Gigabit switches that I have tried.  Both have 10/100/1000 auto-sensing ports.  The Actiontek MI424-WR router also claims to have auto-sensing ports, though it is limited to 10/100.  I have tried connecting each of my switches.  The only way I could make a successful connection was to set the ports within the Actiontek router to 10mb, half- or full-duplex, rather than auto.  If I set the port to auto or 100mb, the port would either show 'not connected', or would be excessively intermittent.

I want my multiple NAS's, computer and server to talk to each other at Gigabit speeds, which is why I have the switches I purchased.  This issue affects my wireless devices, since they have to pass through this 10mb pipe to get to the file shares. 

Verizon Tech Support determined the router was fine and won't help beyond that.  Here is some information regarding my Actiontek router:

Router Status

Firmware Version: 4.0.16.1.56.0.10.12.3

Model Name: MI424-WR

Hardware Version: A

Anybody else have this challenge?  Any suggestions?

Re: Connecting a Gigabit Switch to the Verizon/Actiontek MI424-W Router
Hubrisnxs
Legend

you have an excessively old Actiontec rev A router, they are now upto rev F and G.   

That router for example won't even do WPA 2.  So my first advice would be to replace it, it may in fact just be the router. 

If you call Verizon or use the Contact Us to open a live chat, just let them know, that WEP is not a secure wireless connection and you require WPA2 for your in home wireless connection.  That should prompt them to replace the equipment since it can't do wpa2. 

There is no garuntee you'll get a rev f or g router, so don't count on getting one, but do count on getting something much newer than a rev a.   Rev c and up should be fine and should auto sense just fine.  

Re: Connecting a Gigabit Switch to the Verizon/Actiontek MI424-W Router
DTKempII
Enthusiast - Level 1

Well, here it is months later, and I finally contacted Verizon support to discuss this.  Their response was that I have the latest.  Interestingly, the Wireless advanced settings have a note stating that WPA2 security is recommended, yet the only selectable options are WEP and WPA.  So...how do I get WPA2? 

I still requested a replacement, but have doubts that it will make a difference.  Support told me that a replacement would be identical.  The only other router offered is only for Business customers...which is just what I had read from others experiencing similar problems.  The business customers get the faster, gigabit ports.

Oh well...fingers crossed that the replacement will be a newer rev...or just work for whatever reason!

Re: Connecting a Gigabit Switch to the Verizon/Actiontek MI424-W Router
tns
Master - Level 2

If WPA2 is not shown then it is indeed the rev A router.  I am pretty sure they will end sending you a rev c or d, but you might get lucky and get an F.  They are not sending out G's accept to those with 150MPS packages.

You said AUTO did not work, but setting half or full Duplex did.  Full Duplex is what you want anyway, so just set it to that.  Connect all your internal network to your Gigabit Switch and your done.

Re: Connecting a Gigabit Switch to the Verizon/Actiontek MI424-W Router
jmw1950
Specialist - Level 2

I think you are misinterpreting what Verizon is saying, and they aren't exactly concise in what they say. If they replace the router, you are indeed very likely to get another MI424WR. However the odds on your receiving another Rev A MI424WR are just about zero.

You are going to get what they have in stock, and my guess is because of the limitations, Rev A's if they are returned, do not go back into inventory. Odds are if they swap out your router, you are going to end up with at least a Rev D, and a Rev F is a very likely, because that's probably what they have the most off.

Like most products, the MI424WR has the rough edges progressively sanded off it as it goes through the revision levels. I know that's how it was was the products I designed and built. So odds are most if not all of what you want to do will work on a later revision level router. The minor bugs keep getting scrubbed out at successive revision levels.

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