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Bypassing Actiontech - Direct Ethernet from outside

I understand that you can have a direct Ethernet run from the outside into the house, thereby bypassing the Actiontech router? I understand the actiontech router still needs to be plugged into the network for the TV functions to work. But I run a pfsense firewall/router and I want to put the Actiontech behind this and not in front of it. Apparently you can call customer service and request this?

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JustGotFiOS

I have my own router with port forwarding and a bunch of other things already set so I did not want to recreate everything on the Actiontech. I have it first in line and the LAn port then connected to my router. I followed the tips from this post http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r17679150-Howto-make-ActionTec-MI424WR-a-network-bridge

Works fine for me for months now.

Anti-Phish1

Yes, you can connect your router to the ethernet port on the ONT and you can place the Actiontec behind your router.

You must call Verizon to have them switch the WAN provisioning from coax to cat5.

Replacing the Actiontec (part 1): Coax to Ethernet

Replacing the Actiontec (part 3): WAN-to-LAN keeps Guide and VOD (easier)

The network bridge mentioned in the previous post is only appropriate if you want to keep the coax WAN connection from the ONT to the Actiontec.

armond_in_nj1

@SimonMason wrote:

I understand that you can have a direct Ethernet ... bypassing the Actiontech router? I understand the actiontech router still needs to be plugged into the network for the TV functions to work ... I run a pfsense firewall/router and I want to put the Actiontech behind this and not in front of it ...

These issues are detailed in one of the DSLReports citations already mentioned.

Many folks use a second router, either ahead of or behind the Actiontec. Be advised however that unless you take certain steps you will lose some or all of the auxiliary functions associated with the VZ Actiontec router. These include but are not limited to Caller ID, the Guide, Video On Demand, and several other features.

If these limitations don't concern you, then you really don't even need the Actiontec and you can switch over to Ethernet WAN direct to your own router, and run the coax directly to your STB/DVR boxes.

The various configuration options and associated trade-offs are listed here:

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/16077

SimonMason

To confirm. It is my understanding that I can contact Verizon and have them turn on an ethernet connection from the outside box into the house. I will then run this directly into my firewall/router setup.

While doing this, I can continue to use the coax connection into the Actiontec router and maintain all TV functions?

I do not use Verizon for phone so I am not worried about any of those services. In fact, I am doing this because I have an Asterisk PBX and I have had it with the QoS issues. Currently I sit my pfsense setup directly behind the Actiontec, and I manage all QoS in pfsense, but the Actiontec router still chokes up sometimes when I am making calls and the kids are streaming. This should not be happening with the upgraded bandwidth I am signed up for. By getting the Actiontec out of the loop I am hoping to have much better control over my bandwidth.

armond_in_nj1

@SimonMason wrote:

... I can contact Verizon and have them turn on an ethernet connection from the outside box into the house. I will then run this directly into my firewall/router setup ... While doing this, I can continue to use the coax connection into the Actiontec router and maintain all TV functions? ...

That is not at all what I wrote. Please re-read my post where I specifically state that some or all of the TV auxiliary functions will be lost or compromised if the Actiontec is not the primary router. Then read the associated link that covers the trade-offs.

Anti-Phish1

@SimonMason wrote:
While doing this, I can continue to use the coax connection into the Actiontec router and maintain all TV functions?
You will not maintain all TV functions. VOD and guide data will work. On-screen caller-id and remote (web) access to the DVR will NOT work with the Actiontec behind your router.

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