Newb to SNB - Q re: FiOS gear

[obmot]

hi folks, newbie here I hope posting this in the correct forum/section...

I'm in NYC on time warner cable internet (no TV) and have signed onto FiOS. My current setup is time warner cable -> modem (surfboard 6141, I own) -> wireless router (netgear, I own and DD WRT provisioned).

I'm by no means an IT expert or guru like most here, but I've been flashing open source firmware/setting up routers for some years with no problem.

Anyway, I'm hoping to find out what are some 'gear setups' so as to - if possible...

1) dispense with annoying monthly rental fees for crapware; and
2) be able to (cross fingers) continue with dd-wrt as firmware for the wireless/LAN part ("router") because I know ddwrt like back of my hand.

I'm tentatively set up to get the "Quantum Gateway" from VZ blah blah blah but if possible I'd like to know *before* install date 8 days from now if there is a modem/router scenario that folks recommend at least vis a vis me reading up on. I don't want the install guy here for 4 hours to set stuff up that is crapware and which I can do 10x faster anyway. By analogy, if I moved to Dallas and I ordered time warner I'd say "turn it on from the pole, okay you can go now I got the rest from here"

I know that sounds rude - but you know what I mean....I'm not my mom/dad walking into bestbuy and clueless what "all the blinky lights mean."

Anyway thanks in advance for any FiOS setup guidance or pointers just in terms of what gear does work/others find better than renting etc.

That's all for now...apologies if this 1st forum msg is misplaced or not well received, I searched the forum a while and didnt see an on topic message.

 

[thiggins]

With fiber, you have to take the ONT the ISP provides. You can buy DSL and cable modems, you can't buy fiber modems.

If you want something else to handle routing, you'll have to ask the installer to configure the router they provide as a bridge.

 

[obmot]

With fiber, you have to take the ONT the ISP provides. You can buy DSL and cable modems, you can't buy fiber modems.

If you want something else to handle routing, you'll have to ask the installer to configure the router they provide as a bridge.

@thiggins, thanks for your quick reply. I sensed that would be the case (i.e. needing to have the VZ 'modem' (router) bridge to my own (wireless/LAN) router. I just havent had any fiber experience etc. so I wanted to check with folks here who surely know more than I do.

I appreciate your feedback kindly (!)

 

[sfx2000]

With fiber, you have to take the ONT the ISP provides. You can buy DSL and cable modems, you can't buy fiber modems.

If you want something else to handle routing, you'll have to ask the installer to configure the router they provide as a bridge.

My experience with Verizon and FIOS - they will not bridge the ONT - however, for customer equipment, they support DMZ, so that's where the customer's device has to live..

 

[obmot]

My experience with Verizon and FIOS - they will not bridge the ONT - however, for customer equipment, they support DMZ, so that's where the customer's device has to live..

Well with only 10,250 messages how much experience can you possibly have?

Thanks @sfx - it looks like I'll be brushing up on DMZ reading in the next week or so (it's been a while on that one) ...which all in all I suppose is a good thing for my knowledge base if nothing else.

 

[CaptainSTX]

Are you gettting TV and or phone from FIOS? If yes to either one your options are more complicated.

With TV you really leave to leave their router in the mix and it has the MOCA output used by the system.

When I had FIOS there were approximately ten configurations that were possible and each had its pros and cons.

The main thing to remember if you have any problems and need tech support the only way FIOS used to do it and be helpful was if you had their router connected directly to the OTN. Any other setup and it was on you to solve the problem. The recommendation was if you took their modem out of the network keep it on the shelf and hook it up before calling for support.

After trying various configurations I found that double NATing my ASUS router behind the FIOS provided router was the most reliable setup and worked very well.

 

[obmot]

Are you gettting TV and or phone from FIOS? If yes to either one your options are more complicated.

With TV you really leave to leave their router in the mix and it has the MOCA output used by the system.

When I had FIOS there were approximately ten configurations that were possible and each had its pros and cons.

The main thing to remember if you have any problems and need tech support the only way FIOS used to do it and be helpful was if you had their router connected directly to the OTN. Any other setup and it was on you to solve the problem. The recommendation was if you took their modem out of the network keep it on the shelf and hook it up before calling for support.

After trying various configurations I found that double NATing my ASUS router behind the FIOS provided router was the most reliable setup and worked very well.

Hi captain thanks for your reply - the answer is I am getting strictly the fiOS internet (no TV/phone at all). I live in NYC apartment, one cable (or fiber) line in, nothing fancy so to speak. One modem (router) and one wifi router, that's it.

Your advice re: support is a very good one I'd not thought of that aspect at all, thanks. As you hint at - I think there will be a period of tinkering (I'm a network tinkerer by boredom, not by training or expertise) and I do have regrets about 'giving up' cable since I've configured everything 'just so' - but TWC in the city where I am has 20mbs up and 2-3mbs done and it's just become torture as I do a lot of uploading.

Thanks for your advice it is will take, as with the folks above. All extremely helpful and appreciated.

 

[CaptainSTX]

Hi captain thanks for your reply - the answer is I am getting strictly the fiOS internet (no TV/phone at all). I live in NYC apartment, one cable (or fiber) line in, nothing fancy so to speak. One modem (router) and one wifi router, that's it.

Your advice re: support is a very good one I'd not thought of that aspect at all, thanks. As you hint at - I think there will be a period of tinkering (I'm a network tinkerer by boredom, not by training or expertise) and I do have regrets about 'giving up' cable since I've configured everything 'just so' - but TWC in the city where I am has 20mbs up and 2-3mbs done and it's just become torture as I do a lot of uploading.

Thanks for your advice it is will take, as with the folks above. All extremely helpful and appreciated.

In that case after Fios gets everything working ask them to convert the OTN to Ethernet ouptut from coaxial. Then you can plug your router directly into the OTN. The Actiontec router that Fios used to furnish had the option of WAN over Ethernet or Coaxial so if it becomes necessary for trouble shooting you can still put it back on line by moving the Ethernet WAN connection from your router and plugging it into theirs.

My experience with FIOS comes from having them as my ISP until late 2015. Things are always changing.

 

[obmot]

In that case after Fios gets everything working ask them to convert the OTN to Ethernet ouptut from coaxial. Then you can plug your router directly into the OTN. The Actiontec router that Fios used to furnish had the option of WAN over Ethernet or Coaxial so if it becomes necessary for trouble shooting you can still put it back on line by moving the Ethernet WAN connection from your router and plugging it into theirs.

My experience with FIOS comes from having them as my ISP until late 2015. Things are always changing.

Thanks for the ethernet suggestion I will definitely use that one. And yes things are always changing which is sort of interesting in terms of learning new things but annoying in terms of eventually 'giving in' and changing things up.

btw, above I erred I mean to say 20mbs DOWN and 2-3mbs UP . . . I don't know why my synapses misfired but well I realize now how eggheaded it came off.

The Verizon 'confirm' email said "install" should take approximately 3.5 hours. The fiber comes literally past each of our apt doors, do you know why that length of time is needed? I note my neighbor got fiOs installed about a year ago and the VZ guy did take several hours ...I'm just curious what the 'backend' is that requires that much time - any insight?

I just realized I can never effing type fiOS the same way lol (FiOS, fiOS, FiOS etc).

 

[sfx2000]

Just a bit of advice - Carrier Provided Equipment, esp. in the gigabit fiber space, has improved significantly over the past couple of years - give their gear a chance before trying to do something different...

You'll lose some flexibility perhaps, but you'll like gain something in stability and performance.

This is the carrier's flagship product, and they do a fair amount of testing to ensure service level agreements between them and the customers can be met with the gear installed in the house.

 

[obmot]

Just a bit of advice - Carrier Provided Equipment, esp. in the gigabit fiber space, has improved significantly over the past couple of years - give their gear a chance before trying to do something different...

You'll lose some flexibility perhaps, but you'll like gain something in stability and performance.

This is the carrier's flagship product, and they do a fair amount of testing to ensure service level agreements between them and the customers can be met with the gear installed in the house.

Thx sfx I'll do so. The Time Warner 'modem' and 'router' are total crapware which is why I got the surfboard and did my own setup which vastly improved stability etc. it's good to hear that VZ doesnt start out of the gate with crapware . . . but like you said 'FiOS' is sort of their flagship product I suppose so they are incentivized to make it click well (unlike TW NYC where they throw two cans and a string at you and say whoopee it might work half the time!).

Oh my apologies, 'SPECTRUM' not Time Warner they are 'SPECTRUM' now...lord we see that 'brand change' commercial every 10 minutes here.

 

[sfx2000]

Thx sfx I'll do so. The Time Warner 'modem' and 'router' are total crapware which is why I got the surfboard and did my own setup which vastly improved stability etc. it's good to hear that VZ doesnt start out of the gate with crapware . . . but like you said 'FiOS' is sort of their flagship product I suppose so they are incentivized to make it click well (unlike TW NYC where they throw two cans and a string at you and say whoopee it might work half the time!).

Oh my apologies, 'SPECTRUM' not Time Warner they are 'SPECTRUM' now...lord we see that 'brand change' commercial every 10 minutes here.

Understood - and agree that some of the older Actiontec, 2Wire, and Arris/Moto gear wasn't very good 3-4 years back - since then, as the carriers starting pushing more and more services down that broadband pipe - from VOIP to IPTV and SmartHome services, they had to step up the game and get much better at the edge of their network...

Best of luck, and let us know how things are working...

 

[obmot]

View attachment 8919

Understood - and agree that some of the older Actiontec, 2Wire, and Arris/Moto gear wasn't very good 3-4 years back - since then, as the carriers starting pushing more and more services down that broadband pipe - from VOIP to IPTV and SmartHome services, they had to step up the game and get much better at the edge of their network...

Best of luck, and let us know how things are working...

Thanks sfx, this box just arrived today which I think has the "Quantum gateway" in it along with a no peeking label which is making me really itchy, of course to open it up and get acquainted with her a bit... you know how gadget tinkerers like some of us are (;

So far I've behaved myself.

 

[obmot]

...okay so, they can't just "knock on my door" as the 'no peeking label instructions indicate - so as I see that's a technicality but alas allows me to open the box. Right?

lol

 

[thiggins]

Just look up the FCCID https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid

 

[obmot]

Just look up the FCCID https://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/fccid

Okay I tried to think of a way to reply to you thiggins in a way that made me sound like I knew what that means - but alas I can't even fake it lol. So I'll just throw myself into the newb heckhole of shame and ask...

what is the FCCID and why does looking it up help me?

Okay bring on the newb shaming I totally deserve it, I admit .

 

[thiggins]

Anything with Wi-Fi in it sold in the U.S. must have an FCC ID. This is usually printed on the serial number label.

If you look up the FCC ID, among the documsnts filed are external and internal photos and test reports. So if you want to see what's inside without opening it up, the FCC inside photos usually will show you.

 

[CaptainSTX]

Anything with Wi-Fi in it sold in the U.S. must have an FCC ID. This is usually printed on the serial number label.

If you look up the FCC ID, among the documsnts filed are external and internal photos and test reports. So if you want to see what's inside without opening it up, the FCC inside photos usually will show you.

I think the OP is talking about opening up the card board shipping box and handling the goodies. Not prying the gear open to view the chips.

 

[obmot]

I think the OP is talking about opening up the card board shipping box and handling the goodies. Not prying the gear open to view the chips.

Yes I am staring at the cardboard box. I need someone to tell me (cajole me!) to disobey the "dont peek" sticker and open the cardboard box.

I mean what would they do anyway? Hmmm...maybe just say I got a few parcels and opened the boxes without looking at them closely?? Is that too lame of a bogus excuse to give the guy?

 

[sfx2000]

...okay so, they can't just "knock on my door" as the 'no peeking label instructions indicate - so as I see that's a technicality but alas allows me to open the box. Right?

Mi gosh - just thinking how this would happen - watching Law and Order...

No Knock Warrant - Boom! - they jump into your house, you in pajamas... we're here to install the INTERNET....