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Do I really need the Actiontec router?

After talking with the Verizon rep I don't see why I would need the Actiontec router. I have a LinkSys 600N router and see no reason to move to something that seams (from reading emails) less secure and error prone. Is there any reason that I won't be able to plug FIOS directly into my existing equipment? I also don't want Verizon (any) software on my machine and if FIOS is just a network drop I don't see any reason to do otherwise.

As you can tell I haven't been installed yet but it is scheduled.

Message Edited by Ken on 09-30-2008 04:03 PM

Comments

Telcoguru

If you are getting Fios TV you need the ActionTec router. If you are not getting TV then you should be able to use your own router.

Ken

That doesn't seem to make sense from what I understand from talking to Verizon and reading the manual for the router. I see the router has a coax connection but that appears to be an input connection; are you saying that it is an output? I was told by the Verizon person that if I got TV (which I am not) that the TV connection would be made between the OTN and the TV; is that incorrect?

jlkchan

The actiontec router is needed for some TV functionalities, ie channel guide and PPV. If you are not getting tv service then you can do without it. You do however need the connection off the ONT to be ethernet and not MoCA (coax) in order to use your own router. If it is MoCA you can ask verizon to switch it for you then you should be good to go. If you do get TV service later on you can still use your own router bu we'll cross that bridge when you do

Telcoguru

The ActionTec router assigns IP addresses to the set top boxes using MOCA via the coaxial cable. If you are not getting TV then you need to be provisioned for Ethernet to use your own router like the previous poster stated.

regular_guy1

Here is a excellent source of information:

How do I replace my MoCA-connected Actiontec router and still get VOD?

You can also find lots of other sources of info by using google and searching for 'replace Actiontec router'.

When I had internet only, I didn't use the Actiontec router at all. I simply ran CAT5 to my Linksys DDWRT WRT150N router, requested that Verizon change my ONT connection from coax to ethernet and performed the steps mentioned in the previous link.

Once I added FIOS TV, I had to put Actiontec back in service, but I did it behind my primary Linksys router. The Actiontec (and its MoCA coax connection) is needed to allow the STBs and DVRs to retrieve Guide data, Widget info, VOD and PPV functionality as well as to communicate with each other (e.g. via Home Media).

Note: Although the steps involved are fairly straight forward, it is not for the faint of heart. If you mess things up along the way, you can easily find yourself without Internet, phone or TV service. Leave yourself plenty of time and make sure you comfortable with the steps and diagnosis required.

-rg

zachyzissou

We (i think) have one of the first actual set ups that were available. they simply have the little converter box and our router (D-link whater) and that was it. I just swapped out the D-Link for an AirPort Extreme (for the wireless-N) and it works just fine. i have to reset it every now and then to make VOD go through but its not that big of a bother. We also get regular firmware updates (assuming 1.6 hasn't been pushed out to North Texas yet).

Georgesc

This thread was very informative, thx. I too want to replace my actiontec router and have an appointment for 11/15 for a tech to come out (funny, they really didn't understand what I wanted when I requested it so I'll probably have to show the tech this thread. 🙂

regular_guy1

Yet another thread for those so inclined.....

Ditch the Actiontec MI424WR router!
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20582752-Ditch-the-Actiontec-MI424WR-router

-rg

zachyzissou

Alright final words, if your totally set on ditching the Actiontec, i would purchase a NIM-100 on ebay or try to get verizon to give you one. Then just hook it up the old way by connecting the coax in to the NIM and then plugging that into on of the ports on your new router. Whilst the cat5 is plugged into your new router. It's how mines set up with an AirPort Extreme (Which i love for its 802.11n capabilities.) only set back is i have to reset it after 5 or so VOD orders but thats no problem.

Hope i helped.

Zach

Fran_D

@Telcoguru wrote:
The ActionTec router assigns IP addresses to the set top boxes using MOCA via the coaxial cable. If you are not getting TV then you need to be provisioned for Ethernet to use your own router like the previous poster stated.

I keep reading this same sentence whenever I do a search on this topic, but I'm still having a hard time getting my head around it. How is it that the ActionTec is involved if the TV is still distributed over the cable? I only see one coax port on the ActionTec, so is it split off of the cable plant and acting as a pseudo-DHCP server to assign IPs? I don't think it's taking video over the ONT's Ethernet and redistributing it over the coax, is it?

Also, it's further confusing in Verizon's own installation descriptions (which, I know, are simplistic), but they don't even mention a router except for Internet installations. When only supplying FiOS TV they state that the ONT will be connected to the existing cable plant in your home. They further go on to say that media guides, widgets and VODs will be tested, but they don't mention that extra equipment is required aside from the STBs.

I know that I'm missing something here.

zachyzissou

In order for you to be able to use VOD the coax is required. What it does is send out a signal that comes from to router to all the boxes.

donaldm823

as stated-you need the VZ router to send the channel guide to your TV boxes BUT-you can daisy chain your home router to the VZ router and use your home router for distribution (including wirelsss) to your PCs, IPODS.

I daisy chain my LINKSYS router to the VZ router, by changing the LINKSYS router settings to "router" and connecting via an ethernet wire betweeen each routers ethernet port. This setup makes the LINKSYS router just a router and not a gateway. The LINKSYS website has specifics.

I use my LINKSYS for wireless because it's signal is much stronger and cleaner than the VZ. I also have high gain antennaes on my LINKSYS

The basic steps are to:

1-set a local IP address to the LINKSYS to another number (so it does not confilct with VZ's 192.168.1.1). I chose 192.168.1.200

2-change the DHCP server setting to "disable"

3-in advanced routing, select "router" vice "gateway"

4-connect the two routers together via using an ethernet out port on each router

Carl

I just had my FiOS internet and TV installed yesterday, and I received the new Westell's.

I will be checking if the LAN is licensed for 1 Gb/s (right now, I have it connected to my Buffalo WHR-G125, so it is 100Mb/s Full). It doesn't appear as though VZ licensed the 802.11N for the wireless.

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