If I understand bickers problem concerning the network setup, he is thinking about switching to Fios but has some issue with placement of actual hardware (fios router in basement regular network router in a loft on the third floor, not wanting to run extra wiring etc).
More specifically was the implication that the router had to be connected to the ONT via Ethernet connection, instead of the reality, that they can be connected to each other solely via coax, as long as you're willing to use a MoCA router as your path to the Internet (regardless of whether you put other routers inside the LAN served by that MoCA router).
I don't have fios but my understanding is that their router and STB's uses MoCA for their networking and if you want to add an ethernet port somewhere if there is a cable coax all you need to do is add a MoCA adapter
It is even easier than that, for me, since I personally only really need one router, in my loft -- the issue was whether their router, supporting their STB's need for MoCA-served access to its data-source, could be located where
I wanted that one router, as opposed to (as some of the FiOS CSRs and their manager was telling me) that it would have to be (effectively buried) in my basement.
ASSUMING your hardware infrastructure (the cabling and splitters etc) can handle it (RG6 good, RG59 YMMV)
12 year old RG6... very good as far as I can tell. Again, the only weak link might be a barrel connector (I thought originally it was a splitter, but then my wife reminded me that we had Comcast disconnect cable in the second bedroom, and therefore replaced that splitter with a barrel connector) in my attic.
what bicker could do is put the fios router in the basement as the Verizon people want; put a MoCA adapter in the loft; turn off the DHCP server and use his current router as a switch.
Yeah, that's possible as I understand it now, but presumably, based on what a lot of folks on some FiOS specific forums have been telling me since late yesterday, unnecessary. Essentially, Verizon shouldn't impose the requirement of putting their router in the basement: I'm being told it should be placed in my loft where I want it.
If not, I will not permit the installer to install my service, and I'll stick with Comcast.
... On the wireless side (I haven't tried it, but in theory) he could use the B/G on the Fios router and N only on his current router set to Access Point mode.
I'm going to go down the path of bridging my router onto their router, and use my router solely for Wireless-N traffic.
Concerning S1/S2 tivo's controlling Verizon boxes I have no idea. I have never owned an S1 or S2 and Verizon isn't available in my area nor do they have any plans to be in my area.
My understanding is that S1s never got updated IR codes for DTAs like the Motorola DCT 700, or for STBs like the Motorola QIP 2500, that FiOS uses here in the northeast. The S2s have gotten updated IR codes, of course, but I'm not sure if they have codes for the QIP 2500 -- doesn't matter because if you're going to use a S2, why have a FiOS STB? Just get the DTA, the Motorola DCT 700, and I'm pretty-sure I remember seeing some messages indicating that that is in the TiVo IR database.