Extending my wired connections
whoodini
Enthusiast - Level 1

My entire house is wired for nothing but fios.  All rooms have a network drop somewhere to allow us to plug in directly.  While wireless is nice, having the ability to plug directly into the network from any room is nice, especially since my Verizon router provides poor connectivity on the upper florrs.  The builders of my home put all connections in the basement.  

My questions is....Can I purchase another router and connect the two without any problems?  This would allow me to have more than four directly wired ports so that I could run wires for most of the rooms in my home.  OR can I place another router on one of the wired ports and have two routers supporting wireless connections?  I am thinking maybe putting a router upstairs would balance the blank spots in the home.  

0 Likes
1 Solution

Correct answers
Re: Extending my wired connections
gs0b
Community Leader
Community Leader

@whoodini wrote:

My questions is....Can I purchase another router and connect the two without any problems?  This would allow me to have more than four directly wired ports so that I could run wires for most of the rooms in my home.  


If you're after additional Ethernet ports, you don't want to get a router.  You want to get an Ethernet Switch.  They are much cheaper and simpler than routers.  You simply plug any port on the switch into any LAN port on your router.  No configuration required.  Voila more ports!

You can get an eight port giga-bit switch for around $25 on various online stores.  This would add six ports to your network (one switch port and one router port are used to link the two devices).  If you need more ports, buy a bigger switch.  You can also place switches in any rooms that need more ports.

Now, if you're asking about adding another WiFi access point or creating a separate network, then adding a router is the way to go.

Enjoy.

View solution in original post

Re: Extending my wired connections
SinCara
Specialist - Level 2

@whoodini wrote:

My entire house is wired for nothing but fios.  All rooms have a network drop somewhere to allow us to plug in directly.  While wireless is nice, having the ability to plug directly into the network from any room is nice, especially since my Verizon router provides poor connectivity on the upper florrs.  The builders of my home put all connections in the basement.  

My questions is....Can I purchase another router and connect the two without any problems?  This would allow me to have more than four directly wired ports so that I could run wires for most of the rooms in my home.  OR can I place another router on one of the wired ports and have two routers supporting wireless connections?  I am thinking maybe putting a router upstairs would balance the blank spots in the home.  


You can add/bridge your own router with the existing router or get the new dual band Gateway router (if available where you live) which are way better then the Actiontec's. (Found here)

http://campaign.verizon.com/fiosquantumgateway/?CMP=DMC-CVZ_ZZ_ZZ_Z_ZZ_N_X00582

If you go with adding/using your own 3rd party router with the current one there are instructions on how to get it all set up on dslreports.com

Re: Extending my wired connections
gs0b
Community Leader
Community Leader

@whoodini wrote:

My questions is....Can I purchase another router and connect the two without any problems?  This would allow me to have more than four directly wired ports so that I could run wires for most of the rooms in my home.  


If you're after additional Ethernet ports, you don't want to get a router.  You want to get an Ethernet Switch.  They are much cheaper and simpler than routers.  You simply plug any port on the switch into any LAN port on your router.  No configuration required.  Voila more ports!

You can get an eight port giga-bit switch for around $25 on various online stores.  This would add six ports to your network (one switch port and one router port are used to link the two devices).  If you need more ports, buy a bigger switch.  You can also place switches in any rooms that need more ports.

Now, if you're asking about adding another WiFi access point or creating a separate network, then adding a router is the way to go.

Enjoy.

Re: Extending my wired connections
whoodini
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks for the answers.  I will see about upgrading my router.  It has to be in this area as last night I also upgraded to 150/150 Quantum.  I will also look at purchasing a switch to support ports in all room.  When my son is on xbox (which is hardwired into the router, the network can be a little slower than I like.  Thanks again 

0 Likes
Re: Extending my wired connections
gs0b
Community Leader
Community Leader

I forgot to mention another option; Actiontec has a dual-band WiFi extender that many have reported works very well. You plug it into an Ethernet or Coax jack and it automatically configures itself to act as an access point for you WiFi network. 

You can read about it here:

http://www.actiontec.com/305.html

You can purchase it for $74.99 direct from Verizon on this web page:

https://teleproducts.verizon.com/fios/index.cfm/eh/ShowCart

I've not used this device, so I can't speak first hand about it.  I've seen lots of good reviews and no bad reviews.

Good Luck.

0 Likes