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Actiontec router does not support wireless range extender - so how to extend range?

I called Verizon to see if they sold or could recommend range extender for my Verizon Actiontec MI424WR Rev. F router.

Was transferred (by mistake) to Actiontec tech rep. He said the Verizon Actiontec routers lack WDS (wireless distribution services) so a wireless extender would not work with a Actiontec router.

Our router is in our basement - I know that is the problem. But we many Ethernet wires and coax leading to that spot,so moving the Verizon router would be a challenge. Could I buy a wireless router, connect it to a port on the Verizon router, then turn off the Verizon router's wireless function? If so, recommendation for a 3rd party router? Would be much easier to drill one hole etc.for the one wire for a 3rd party wireless router that I could place on floor above basement.

BTW I spoke to 2 Verizon tech support people and customer service. All said Verizon does not sell or recommend range extenders. They said I could buy a range extender at Best Buy or Radio Shack. The 2nd tech support person transferred me to router support when I asked to speak with someone more knowledgeable. He connected me to a Actiontec tech rep – the Actiontec rep said he was only supposed to Verizon employees, but then answered all my questions.

In additon to informing me that range extender would not work, he said I could try replacing antennae on my router with high gain RP-SMA (high gain antennae service?), would need to be in the 7-12 decibel range. Also, told me I have a G class router- If I switch to N class all wireless devices would have to be N class or network would slow down to G Class. Of course, none of the Verizon techs mentioned that...

Comments

armond_in_nj1

@bmad wrote:
... Our router is in our basement ... many Ethernet wires and coax leading to that spot ... Could I buy a wireless router, connect it to a port on the Verizon router, then turn off the Verizon router's wireless function? ...

It may be easiest to add a simple wireless access point (WAP) hard-wired to the network. I have such a device connected over Ethernet to the network via a switch. It provides an additional Wi-Fi network in a convenient location and works perfectly.

bmad1

Thanks for the reply. Could you be more specific? Better to add the WAP than a wireless router? (I did a quick search found this model D-Link® Xtreme N® Duo Wireless Bridge/Access Point)

I was thinking of putting in a wireless router in kitchen by: drilling hole in kitchen floor, running an Ethernet to an open port on the Verizon router in the basement. I assume that I would then turn off the Verizon Actiontec wireless, use the new wireless router in kitchen, which would provide enhanced wireless coverage upstairs.

I assume a WAP would require a hardwired Ethernet connection. That is possible, although would require unplugging a seldom used computer upstairs. Would that be better than doing what I describe above. Can you recommend a specific WAP?

Thanks

armond_in_nj1

You have asked many questions, each of which requires a separate response. To start ...
bmad wrote:
... Better to add the WAP than a wireless router? ... thinking of putting in a wireless router in kitchen by: drilling hole in kitchen floor, running an Ethernet to an open port on the Verizon router in the basement. I assume that I would then turn off the Verizon Actiontec wireless, use the new wireless router in kitchen, which would provide enhanced wireless coverage upstairs ...

In my view a wireless access point is "better" for your particular application than a wireless router due to its simplicity. Since you don't need an additional router (and the attendant configuration issues), why not go with the simpler WAP? I use a simple Cisco WAP and keep it relatively secure using MAC filters. I also have the luxury of having everything hard-wired all over my home so the configuration choices are many and simple.

bmad wrote:
.... I assume a WAP would require a hardwired Ethernet connection. That is possible, although would require unplugging a seldom used computer upstairs. Would that be better than doing what I describe above ...

You don't have to unplug anything. Just add a simple 4-port switch where the existing computer is connected and plug the WAP into it.

bmad wrote:
... Can you recommend a specific WAP?

These days it's hard to go wrong. Just don't spend too much for features not required. All my "stuff" dates from the relatively pre-historic age of ten or so years ago and all of it does just fine, even with Verizon Quantum. I did however add a new 24 port Gigabit switch about a year ago to simplify the layout and also because my new computers can handle the speed.

prisaz

Also another item you can do is lock down your wireless access point speeds, I have one that only runs G, and another that is set for only N. This way you can have older and newer wireless devices that run at different speeds. But remember they will both Have different a SSID and Key. The wireless G is what I let visitors on, or devices I know are slower, wifes old laptop. The wireless N I only allow faster devices, so as not to drop the speed on that AP. Actiontec Rev f. Wireless G, and lock the new access point to where it only allowes faster wireless N? Also remember the Verizon router can display the SSID and Key to anyone that has access to your TV. (Visitors) Thus my wieless N is behind my second NAT firewall.

Just an idea. There are many ways it can be done. This is a good thread.

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-Internet/Why-your-Wi-Fi-is-slow/m-p/534451#U534451

Also I tried to place one AP upstairs which was great for the neighbors, or outside the house, but did not work well in the basement. Below the ground plain is probably a good dead spot.

Noochi01

Bmad-what did you decide to go with? WAP I presume? Please be specific as I have the same model router and am in the exact same situation.

Thanks!

hbaeuerle1

Not sure who gave you that information but i use a D-Link DAP-1320 range extender with my actiontec router and it took me 5 minutes to set it up.

NoMoreActiontec

Please explain how this is possible when the Verizon routers we own are from Actiontec and they do not support WDS.

I've purchased 2 separate extenders despite knowing this, hoping to get lucky. Neither of them were recognized by my router.

For anyone else reading this post, I'd hold off on trying the D-Link DAP-1320.

viafax999

@bmad wrote:
I called Verizon to see if they sold or could recommend range extender for my Verizon Actiontec MI424WR Rev. F router.

Was transferred (by mistake) to Actiontec tech rep. He said the Verizon Actiontec routers lack WDS (wireless distribution services) so a wireless extender would not work with a Actiontec router.

Our router is in our basement - I know that is the problem. But we many Ethernet wires and coax leading to that spot,so moving the Verizon router would be a challenge. Could I buy a wireless router, connect it to a port on the Verizon router, then turn off the Verizon router's wireless function? If so, recommendation for a 3rd party router? Would be much easier to drill one hole etc.for the one wire for a 3rd party wireless router that I could place on floor above basement.

I know it's 8 months but apparently you still haven't resolved it

Why bother with a range extender, just go on to ebay and but a 2nd hand verizon router and configure it with a static address on the 192.168.1 sub net, turn off dhcp and set it with a different ssid to the basement router. Then connect it via coax in a near location where you want to get signal to - the coax that you connect to needs to be on the same coax network as the basement router. You can then connect wirelessly to that new ssid and the basement router will handle the dhcp allocation for your wireless devices on the 2nd router.

jyo1

I have been using a Cisco RE 1000 range extender. This gives me excellent signal strength ...HOWEVER every now and then I get disconnected and then my laptop says- signal strength - "excellent" , "unable to connect".

If I move the laptop downstairs where the Actiontec router/modem is located - I have no problem.

I have the same problem with my tablet and so does my daughter who has a newer computer.

Is there a compatability problem?

I do not have a spare ethernet port as all 4 are being used - 2 for TVs one for an xBox and one for an older desktop.

Some one suggested I use an actiontec range extender.

Roosterdad

This approach is exactly what I would like to do, but have not figured out how yet.

I have two actiontec MI424WR's.

One is running, but the wifi doesn't reach the other side of the house. I have cable in eavery room and would like to plug the second Actiontec into cable in a room on the other side of the house, farthest away from the current actiontec. I would like a second SSID the kids could connect to on that side of the house.

Are there explicit directions anywhere on how to do this? I called Verizon and they told me they would not support this - AKA we will not help you.

Thanks!

smith6612

@Roosterdad wrote:
This approach is exactly what I would like to do, but have not figured out how yet.
I have two actiontec MI424WR's.

One is running, but the wifi doesn't reach the other side of the house. I have cable in eavery room and would like to plug the second Actiontec into cable in a room on the other side of the house, farthest away from the current actiontec. I would like a second SSID the kids could connect to on that side of the house.
Are there explicit directions anywhere on how to do this? I called Verizon and they told me they would not support this - AKA we will not help you.
Thanks!

Follow this guide. As long as you can get a Coaxial (MoCa) connection off to the second ActionTec, it can connect up to the primary router and do what you want it to do. Just be sure to run both routers on separate Wi-Fi channels (1, 6, or 11). Try to also locate the second ActionTec router where it's going to provide both adequite Wireless coverage where it's needed, and close to devices that have Wired ports. That way you can help to cut down on the number of devices on your Wireless, provide better performance to devices by wiring them up, AND improve your Wireless coverage.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/15984

Please read the guide carefully so the two routers don't fight for "control" over the network. When all is set, both Wired and Wireless should work from the ActionTec by simply being connected via coaxial.

viafax999

@Roosterdad wrote:
This approach is exactly what I would like to do, but have not figured out how yet.
I have two actiontec MI424WR's.

One is running, but the wifi doesn't reach the other side of the house. I have cable in eavery room and would like to plug the second Actiontec into cable in a room on the other side of the house, farthest away from the current actiontec. I would like a second SSID the kids could connect to on that side of the house.
Are there explicit directions anywhere on how to do this? I called Verizon and they told me they would not support this - AKA we will not help you.
Thanks!

See this

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/verizonfios/3.2_MOCA#15984

or do this

To configure the second router as a bridge with it's own ssid

reset it to factory defaults

connect a machine to it with an ethernet cable to one of it's lan ports using the default userid and password

Disable the moca (broadband) connection

give it an ip address on the 192.168.1 subnet that is NOT 192.168.1.1 and preferably not in the dhcp pool on the new router

set up the wireless ssid and security

disable the dhcp server

connect it to a coax connector

it can be connected anywhere on the coax network

thebluman

I keep reading that I cannot extend my Verizon wireless router. But Actiontec provides a solution specifically for Verizon Fios users.

Quick Overview

With the WCB3000N, you can provide reliable whole-home wireless coverage to your subscribers. The MoCA or Ethernet-based adapter extends a homeowner’s Wi-Fi network to an area of the home where wireless coverage was previously weak, such as a dead zone in the 2nd floor bedroom or 1st floor family room. Using a wired Ethernet or MoCA connection and offering dual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios, the WCB3000N offers the best performance around for extending the home’s Wi-Fi network.

It takes the credentials from your existing Wi-Fi network and creates a second network with the same name. Your devices go from one network to the other, seamlessly.

http://www.actiontec.com/products/64.php

iks

I bought a WiFi (not a cell/36) ActionTec Network Extender from a Verizon FIOS store (not a phone store) for $79, plugged it in to a FIOS coax and it worked right away. It has dual bands (24 and 5) plus two Ge ethernet ports.. Two things to keep in mind, this is for a MoCa signal (FIOS). I did not need a separate Moca adapter. If the other part of your home has a FIOS STB you can use a splitter. This is NOT a repeater. Works really well and easily.

-Ian

hrm9111

It does but it depend on the kind of relay. Some seem imposible. Another can be set up in miutes. I had an one type on an older Actiontec router but it took me awhile to get it connected. When I swtched to thew new router , I have yet to figure how to conect it. In the meantime I bought another and it was up and running within 15-20 minutes. Somone who knew what they wer doing. might do it faster. Also YouTube has a bunch of videos to help. some of the relays have a wps button that makes it a little easeir.

DebLG1

Do you know if the ActionTec model GT784WNV supports a wireless signal booster?

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