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FiOS Network Extender

ponsholm
Enthusiast - Level 2
ā€Ž05-13-2015 11:02 AM

Greetings,

Does anyone in this forum have this network extender? We are having some problems upstairs connecting to 5G and since we have been very happy so far with FIOS, if this simplifies connectivity with our Quantum Gateway GS1100 and complements (Extends) the signal I would happy.

Thoughts?

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

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to ponsholm
ā€Ž05-13-2015 12:50 PM
@ponsholm wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. 

Yes, I have coax upstairs and I had planned to place the extender by the media room. However, my whole house is also wired with Cat6 and since there are 2 ethernet ports behind the unit as well and I have a switch, instead of splitting the coax signal can I just as well use ethernet to extend the signal or does it have to be coax?

To answer your specific question, you can't feed that network extender with Ethernet.  It has to be coax, which then gives you those two Ethernet output ports.   But inserting a coax splitter shouldn't be a problem.

That being the case, you can do as viafax999 suggested.  If you do, make sure the WAP you buy has adequate specs for you.  The cheapest ones these days don't have 5 GHz, etc.

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
ā€Ž05-13-2015 11:14 AM

I am using the FiOS network extender in our basement.  It was easy to install and seems to work well.

The key is having coax availbilty where you want to place the extender.   If you already have coax running to a TV upstairs I suggest you give the extender a try.   It will likely solve your coverage problem.

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ponsholm
Enthusiast - Level 2
In response to eljefe2
ā€Ž05-13-2015 11:37 AM

Thanks for the feedback. 

Yes, I have coax upstairs and I had planned to place the extender by the media room. However, my whole house is also wired with Cat6 and since there are 2 ethernet ports behind the unit as well and I have a switch, instead of splitting the coax signal can I just as well use ethernet to extend the signal or does it have to be coax?

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viafax999
Community Leader
Community Leader
In response to ponsholm
ā€Ž05-13-2015 12:26 PM

Should be able to get any cheap wap and extend via ethernet.

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to ponsholm
ā€Ž05-13-2015 12:50 PM
@ponsholm wrote:

Thanks for the feedback. 

Yes, I have coax upstairs and I had planned to place the extender by the media room. However, my whole house is also wired with Cat6 and since there are 2 ethernet ports behind the unit as well and I have a switch, instead of splitting the coax signal can I just as well use ethernet to extend the signal or does it have to be coax?

To answer your specific question, you can't feed that network extender with Ethernet.  It has to be coax, which then gives you those two Ethernet output ports.   But inserting a coax splitter shouldn't be a problem.

That being the case, you can do as viafax999 suggested.  If you do, make sure the WAP you buy has adequate specs for you.  The cheapest ones these days don't have 5 GHz, etc.

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ponsholm
Enthusiast - Level 2
In response to eljefe2
ā€Ž05-13-2015 01:17 PM

Thanks for the feedback. That answered my question... 

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to ponsholm
ā€Ž05-13-2015 01:41 PM

You're welcome. 

If you choose a solution that works for you, you might report back and  to possibly help another user with the same question.  Smiley Wink

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ponsholm
Enthusiast - Level 2
In response to eljefe2
ā€Ž05-16-2015 09:45 AM

Update:

So I picked up this FIOS extender. It wasn't really "plug n play" as the 1,2,3,4 included instructions indicated, but simple enough to configure to use the same network names etc. It defaults to a couple of different SSIDs and doesn't automatically extend the current networks. (HINT: Just login to the FIOS G1100 and find the IP of the extender, then login admin/admin) 

It really works pretty good but I have to say the anoying lights on the front of the device (blinking rapidly) underneath the Media Center TV had to get taped pretty quickly with duct tape. 

Also, I noticed that iStumbler (Mac network tool) still shows the SSIDs as different (4 instead of 2) but all wifi devices only sees 2 (2.4 & 5) frequencies. It also doesn't automatically switch to the strongest signal as you walk across the house as I can tell yet. However, you can check pretty easily what MAC address I'm currently connected to depending on where you are.

Lastly, the 5GHZ band on the extender shows A + N options. I assume the A option is not AC?

Cheers

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smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader
In response to ponsholm
ā€Ž05-16-2015 01:13 PM

A + N usually means the access point supports the legacy 802.11a standard, which is the 5Ghz equivalent of Wireless G. It runs at 54 Mbps and is made for density. It does this while supporting N. AC will show up as 802.11ac šŸ™‚

For roaming to work, the client needs to make the choice to roam. Macs tend to stick to the original access point until the signal is almost unusable. Some other devices will usually connect to the stronger of the two so long as there is a specific difference between signal strength present. In managed enterprise environments a wireless controller can push clients to other Access Points if they tend to be "sticky" to a further away AP.

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to smith6612
ā€Ž05-16-2015 02:59 PM

FWIW,  I prefer different SSID from different wireless access points so I can easily be sure of which network I'm connected to and manually select the one I know will give me best results at a given location.

And with my iPhone 6 connected with the 5 GHz network to my WCB3000N I get 84 mb/s up and down at www.speedtest.net.

Works for me.

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ponsholm
Enthusiast - Level 2
In response to eljefe2
ā€Ž05-16-2015 08:37 PM

Yup, been thinking about that as well but we'll see. Could be SSIDs like Upstairs 2/5G and Downstairs 2/5G... Smiley Surprised

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to ponsholm
ā€Ž05-17-2015 05:19 AM

Those would work....or maybe Upstairs and Upstairs- 5G / Downstairs and Downstairs-5G.

You wouldn't have any doubt which network you're connected to and you could easily switch to a different one if you feel the need.

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Goddess4
Newbie
ā€Ž06-01-2015 06:38 PM

I have the Advanced WiFi Router.  Recently I noticed a new wireless connection showing my SSID_EXT.  I have no idea where this came from.  I contacted Verizon via Chat and the agent said that I needed uncheck "connect automatically" and reboot my system.  The agent never said anything about an extender.  I know that it's not something I set up.  So I'm confused as to what it really is.  I have not noticed this before until today when the Internet Access icon in my task bar changed to an icon I had never seen before.  Any ideas?

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to Goddess4
ā€Ž06-02-2015 05:02 AM

When you say "Advanced WiFi Router," what make and model is it?  An Actiontec or the newer Quatum Gateway G1100?

On what type device are you seeing the new connection?  PC?  Mac?  Etc?   And if it's a PC, what verison of Windows?

And how close are you to your neighbors?  Close enough that you might be connecting to one of their WiFi networks?

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Goddess4
Newbie
In response to eljefe2
ā€Ž06-02-2015 08:38 AM

I have an Actiontec and I'm seeing it on my PC which has Windows 7.  I am definitely connecting to my WiFi network since my closest neighbor has Cox Communications.  I see one other network but it is very weak.  The only recent change made was abt 4 mos ago when I added another Verizon box to a new TV in another part of the house.

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eljefe2
Master - Level 1
In response to Goddess4
ā€Ž06-02-2015 09:26 AM

I can't guess at what it is you're seeing.  Maybe another user here will chime in with an answer to what it is. 

In the mean time, I would suggest you go to Windows Manage Wireless Networks and "Remove network,"  rather than leave a connection to something you aren't familiar with.

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