Author:
Lewis Jackson
Date Of Creation:
9 May 2021
Update Date:
12 May 2024
Content
This wikiHow teaches you how to use a separate router (router) with Verizon FIOS service (Verizon FIOS). When using a private router, we can bypass the hassle of renting a router and gain more control over the network. If you use the FIOS Internet service without a TV, you can easily switch to another router. However, if the FIOS service includes television, you will have to pay extra for the MoCA adapter (prices range around $ 20-80) to maintain the Internet TV service like program listings, according to requirements and digital video recorder (DVR).
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Prepare the network
Determine how the router is connected to the optical network terminal active (Optical Network Terminal, abbreviated ONT). If your Verizon router connects to the WAN / Internet port with an Ethernet cable and the port light lights up, you're done. This is a typical setup. If the router connects to the ONT using a coax cable (TV cable) rather than an Ethernet (often seen in old setup) then we need to go through a few more steps.
Switch to an Ethernet cable if you are using a coax connection. If you are already connected via Ethernet, proceed to the next step. If not, the following steps will help you change to an Ethernet cable:- Find active optical fiber network terminals indoors. ONT comes in a silver or white gray box with the Verizon logo, usually installed out of the reach of people. The device may be mounted outside the house, somewhere near a phone box.
- Find the Ethernet port. This port is usually located near some green LEDs at the bottom of the device. You may need to unscrew or remove the cover to access the Ethernet port.
- Connect the Ethernet cable from the WAN / Internet port of the Verizon FIOS router to the Ethernet port on the ONT device. Temporarily keep the coax cable as the Ethernet port is not working.
- Call Verizon FIOS support (800-837-4966) to enable the Ethernet port on the ONT device. Continue to use the coax connection while waiting for the support to perform conversion.
Buy a MoCA adapter if you have a FIOS TV service. If the TV uses Verizon FIOS service, switching to a new router will cause certain Internet TV features to stop working (such as program listings, on demand, and digital receiver). The MoCA Adapter will make the TV service work almost exactly like before. Some famous producers are Actiontec and TRENDnet.- It is possible that the ability to program the remote DVR head will not be available if you use a separate router. The home DVR features are still available.
Part 2 of 2: Connecting the new router
Disconnect the coax cable from the Verizon router. If you called Verizon asking to switch to Ethernet, make sure you have Internet access after the coax cable service is disabled.
Open a web browser and go to http://192.168.1.1. This is the default gateway address on Verizon routers.
Sign in with the password on your router. Username is admin and the password will be on the patch of the router.If you changed the router password, use the password you chose.
Click My Network (My network) on the admin page. This option is near the top left corner.
Click Network Connections (Network connections). This option is in the menu on the left.
Click Broadband Connection (Broadband connection).
Click Settings (Setting).
Scroll down and click Release (Release) below "DHCP Lease". The router will be disconnected from the Internet.
Click Apply (Apply) and immediately disconnect the router. You need to unplug both the power cord and the Ethernet cable from the port behind the Verizon router a few seconds after clicking it Apply for best results.
Plug the Ethernet cable into the new router's WAN / Internet port. This is the same Ethernet cable you just unplugged from your Verizon router.
Turn on the new router. After a few minutes, the router will get the Verizon FIOS IP address from the ONT device and connect to the Internet.
Connect the computer to the Internet through the new router. This process will vary by router. If the router supports Wi-Fi, you can connect that way. If you want to connect via Ethernet, plug the Ethernet cable from your computer's network port to one of the LAN ports on your router.
- The name of the wireless access point for the router is usually related to the manufacturer or product model. See more in the instruction manual for how to log in.
- If your new router is configured specifically for another network, you may need to completely reset your device. Specific instructions can be found in your router's manual, but in general the process is quite simple. Simply press the end of the paper clip straight into the small hole labeled "Reset" located on the back of the router.
Connect the MoCA adapter to fully restore TV access. Follow these steps to get the receiver to decode the TV's online signal again:
- Connect the coax cable that used to plug into the Verizon router before to the port on the MoCA adapter.
- Plug the Ethernet cable into the port on the MoCA adapter.
- Plug the other end of the Ethernet cable into one of the available LAN ports on your router.
- Disconnect the TV decoder receiver for a few seconds and then plug it back in.
Warning
- Verizon does not officially support the use of third-party routers. If something goes wrong with the network, they may ask you to restore the previous setting to fix the problem.
