Ditch Actiontec if I have Tivo HD?

[thegeek]

I currently have a D-Link Gamers Lounge router which I am remarkably fond of. I've also recently switched over from years of Tivo usage to the FiOS DVR. The FiOS DVR is OK, but I'm probably going to be ordering a Tivo HD real soon now and handing back their DVR.

I also have a fallow ethernet run going over from my wiring cabinet to the ONT. If I do all the magic to switch over to the ethernet for internet connectivity, and then swap out my FiOS DVR for a Tivo HD, is there any reason whatsoever to keep the Actiontec wired up? I'd like to swap over to using my own router and a Tivo, and just toss the Actiontec into a box to be forgotten. Seems like this combo should do it.

The only other Verizon provided set top box I've got is just a cheesy little digital adapter which has no IMG or VOD. Without any VOD or IMG in the house, and internet service provided via ethernet, I shouldn't have a need for the Actiontec at all, right?

[acvthree]

I did. It works great.

If you make the exchange, make sure you release the Ethernet address on the ONT first. If not, you will need to call Verizon and have them do it. No big deal. It's done remotely. I forgot and it was a 5 minute call. He just said "switching over to your own routers?". I said "yes". <clickety, clickety> "Ok, you're all done". "Thanks!".

Also, if the Ethernet from the ONT to the ActionTec is not active, that is they are using MOCA, you will need to tell them to turn on the Ethernet. That is also done remotely so no big deal. Just tell the tech you are switching to your own router and he should check.

If you then want to use VOD or something like that, you can still leave your router as the primary and have the ActionTec just doing the VOD communications. It just means making sure your router is doing the DHCP.

There are some good instructions over at www.dslreports.com.

Al

[kdmorse]

If you then want to use VOD or something like that, you can still leave your router as the primary and have the ActionTec just doing the VOD communications. It just means making sure your router is doing the DHCP.


You can, but you don't have to. You can have your router as the entry point, and all your systems plugged into it. Then plug one cat5 (lan port) from the actiontec into your ethernet, and connect the actiontec to your coax. The actiontec, at this point is functioning simply as a bridge between your cat-5, and the coax, (no dhcp, no routing, etc..), provides all that is necessary for full function of the STB's (guide, vod, etc..).

And in this scenario, your pc's are not behind what has been occasional lovingly nicnamed the craoptiontec.

-Ken

[AbMagFab]

You can, but you don't have to. You can have your router as the entry point, and all your systems plugged into it. Then plug one cat5 (lan port) from the actiontec into your ethernet, and connect the actiontec to your coax. The actiontec, at this point is functioning simply as a bridge between your cat-5, and the coax, (no dhcp, no routing, etc..), provides all that is necessary for full function of the STB's (guide, vod, etc..).

And in this scenario, your pc's are not behind what has been occasional lovingly nicnamed the craoptiontec.

-Ken

+1

This is exactly what I did... allows any STB's to get their guide data (if you have them), and doesn't screw with my network.

[acvthree]

That was actually what I was trying to say, but did a very very poor job saying it.

Thanks for the clarification.

Al

[GoHokies!]

You can, but you don't have to. You can have your router as the entry point, and all your systems plugged into it. Then plug one cat5 (lan port) from the actiontec into your ethernet, and connect the actiontec to your coax. The actiontec, at this point is functioning simply as a bridge between your cat-5, and the coax, (no dhcp, no routing, etc..), provides all that is necessary for full function of the STB's (guide, vod, etc..).

And in this scenario, your pc's are not behind what has been occasional lovingly nicnamed the craoptiontec.

-Ken

+2, this is what I'm doing too.

[thegeek]

If I release the DHCP on the Actiontec, and the reboot it, it won't get a new IP again until I reboot the ONT (yank battery, yank power, wait for 20 seconds, reverse order). I've given up on trying to be nice by releasing the DHCP anyway. Not like it's doing me any good.


Now, just to clarify, the suggestion is....

ONT -> ethernet -> my router's wan port

then

One of my router's lan side ports -> actiontec's ethernet wan (or lan) port?

[GoHokies!]

Not quite - if the run from your ONT to the actiontec is coax, Verizon has to make a change to make the ethernet port on the ONT "hot". While it sounds like folks have done that with a phone call, I try to keep Verizon's "customer service" at arms length.

What I have is ONT <- coax -> Actiontec <- ethernet -> my router

You can disable the DHCP server in the actiontec, then use your router to manage your network any way that you please.

[acvthree]

That's one too many hopes for my liking. Here is what I have.

ONT Ethernet-> my router -> my gigabit switch -> everything
-> Actiontech -> one coax

You're not exactly talking to "customer support". You would be talking to a tech to set the ONT to Ethernet. I've not heard of a lot of people having a problem.

<edit> Ok, I'm not good with the graphics. One router ethernet goes to the actiontec.

Al

[kdmorse]

What we usually do for our customers....

ONT <-> Ethernet <-> Router <-> Computer
<-> Computer
<-> Computer
<-> Actiontec LAN port -> Coax -> Home Coax -> STB's


Where 'Router' is their preferred router of choice, one known capable of 15/15 or better, or a linux box, etc...
It's of course important that the Actiontec has it's DHCP server disabled in this setup, or bad things happen.

Edit: And yah, there's a switch in there. Not included in ASCII doodle because it made the doodle too wide.

-Ken

[GoHokies!]

Ah, I get it now - I never thought about running it that way.

I understand that if I had thought it through in the first place, I would have had the ONT set up to use the ethernet port. Since I didn't, trying to get it changed would require a phone call to Verizon (unless they're going to show up at my door and ask if I would like to change it :D), which is what I try to avoid. I've never had an issue resolved on the first try, so I tend thing that dealing with any of them on the phone is something to be avoided if at all possible.

[thegeek]

Sorry, I knew about having to call the FSC and have them reprovision the broadband service, I kinda neglected that.

Which port do I plug the ethernet into the Actiontec, one LAN ports or the WAN port? Sounds like it's one of the LAN ports being that the instructions are to disable the DHCP server on the Actiontec, hence the STBs would have to get IP addresses from my D-Link router.

NM: it got answered above when I wasn't looking. Thanks guys!



Looks like one handy thing is that since I'm plugging into the LAN ports on the Actiontec, I should be able to use the remaining LAN ports on the Actiontec to plug more computers or VoIP thingies in.

[acvthree]

The reason that I didn't do that is that if the ActionTec dies, you have to wait to get one from Verizon. The most time I would need to wait if my router dies is the time it takes to run down to Fry's.



Al

[acvthree]

And just to say it one more time, if you are not doing VOD or PPV you can ditch the ActionTec altogether.

Al

[kdmorse]

And just to say it one more time, if you are not doing VOD or PPV you can ditch the ActionTec altogether.

Al

Or using the onscreen programming guide on a standard STB. They need that path through the actiontec too.

-Ken