Help replacing my Verizon FIOS 9100EM

[darkhelmet]

...with a Netgear Rangemax WNDR3700.

At home I have Verizion FIOS Internet & TV and want to replace the Verizon supplied Ultraline 9100EM with something more robust and user friendly. I read topics on other less technical Web sites about needing to bridge the new router with the existing Verizon router, so am I shooting myself in the foot by replacing it with the Netgear or can I expect an easy 'plug it in and go?'

 

[thiggins]

You don't need to bridge the Verizon router unless you need to open ports for servers on your LAN. My installation uses a Zyxel ADSL modem/router, not bridged, with a router behind it. I have no problem with Skype or downloading Torrents.

 

[darkhelmet]

Thanks Tim. I read something about MOCA and wanted to make sure I was not going to dump $150 on a router I could not use. On that same note, I take some work home so I have a QNAP TS-259. Is this what you were referring to for "open ports?"

 

[thiggins]

On that same note, I take some work home so I have a QNAP TS-259. Is this what you were referring to for "open ports?"

If you want to reach this NAS from work via the Internet, then you'll need to open ports. It can be done easily, though, with two routers.
The simple way is to set the second router's WAN IP address in DMZ on the first router, in this case, the Verizon router. You then open only the needed ports on the second router.

 

[darkhelmet]

No, no, no, I apologize - the work is taken home where I have a TS-259. We have, or had until it broke, a TS-509 at work, which I do not need to access. Just wanted to make sure what you mentioned about opening ports was not referring to my at-home TS-259.

So to clarify, if I get the Netgear for home use with my TS-259 I can totally drop the 9100EM while not interfering with the television connection?

 

[thiggins]

So to clarify, if I get the Netgear for home use with my TS-259 I can totally drop the 9100EM while not interfering with the television connection?

Depends on how things are cabled.
I've seen some installs where the WAN connection from the fiber terminal
is via MoCA to the router.

If the cable to the TV doesn't pass through the router and the router gets its WAN connection via an Ethernet port, you can probably shut off the Verizon router. But you won't know for sure until you try it.

 

[darkhelmet]

Thanks again for the explanation, and the connection from fiber is coax. Darn.