Extending Verizon FIOS (Actiontec G Router)-Apple Time Capsule Vs. Alternatives

Hey all, I'm often still staying in a room mainly because it gets better WiFi reception than another room ~10 feet further down that I'd like to move back into if it had a better WiFi signal.

I'm looking to improve the range of the 20/20 Mbps Verizon FIOS ISP's Actiontec G Router that is installed downstairs in the home office on the other side of the house so that all the rooms on the second floor can get the best possible signal.

Since I have many devices (also considering a MacBook Pro for family if they get refreshed soon) some using 802.11b/g and others have 802.11n & wouldn't mind a hard drive for all the devices to share (both on-site network based storage & off-site cloud) I was looking at an Apple Time Capsule 1TB Sim DualBand but reviews seem to complain of reliability-lifespan issues.. Network storage is secondary, optimal wifi range extension is the primary goal.

Ideally the FIOS extending solution should improve range even for non 802.11n devices so perhaps I also need to consider a repeater bridge on the second floor in addition to a wireless n router connected to the FIOS Actiontec G router. I'll even try parabolic shaped aluminum foil today but would really appreciate some feedback on my options from inexpensive to more expensive elegant solutions..

Thanks so much,

Refs:

http://www.jonathandean.com/2009/05/apple-time-capsule-and-verizon-fios-actiontec-router/

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Time-Capsule-MC343LL-DualBand/dp/B002TLTGGM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top (Apple Time Capsule MC343LL/A 1TB Sim DualBand)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Actiontec_MI424WR_Verizon_front.png

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUTT8wdN_VA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqnHz75dmQY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KzTADKo0rc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJx_xcS1eZ8

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=fios+actiontec+range+extender&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

http://www.amazon.com/Hawking-HiGai...ef=cm_cr_pr_redirect?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0

http://www.amazon.com/Hawking-HWREN...iewpoints=1&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

 

Take the time to run a wired connection up stairs and save yourself a lot of greef. Then connect a router of your choice as a AP.

Repeaters cut your bandwidth to 1/2.

 

^^^ this

Apart from that, Apple networking products pretty much suck. (And I'm not saying that as an Apple hater--I own the late 2008 model iMac).

 

Hey thanks but -if possible- they'd rather me not run wires upstairs so I was considering:

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-E3000-High-Performance-Wireless-N-Router/dp/B003B48UQ8/

connected LAN-to-LAN to the Actiontec as described at:

http://text.broadbandreports.com/faq/verizonfios/3.0_Networking#12506

I'm open to less expensive options as I don't want to drop $150 for headaches as an Actiontec support guy said it could prove to be but FIOS support said their customers do it all the time as their routers are "not optimized" for Wi-Fi.

Also open to suggestions for other reliable N routers & hopefully it will improve the range despite the pessimistic Actiontec guy saying don't expect it to do so reliably unless it is line of sight as the same wall obstructions will be there whether it's g or n..

I've heard about new generations of smarter Wi-Fi solutions that more intelligently "go around obstructions & interference" as CEO of Ruckus Wireless proclaimed on Power Lunch when they covered CTIA but I'm looking for practical solutions to implement asap-Thanks again!

Other Refs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWnGifCUDyY
http://trendnet.com/products/proddetail.asp?prod=145_TEW-637AP&cat=78
http://www.ruckuswireless.com/products/mediaflex-home-products
http://www.ruckuswireless.com/faqs/mediaflex
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi
http://text.broadbandreports.com/fo...-Wireless-N-router-that-I-could-use-with-Fios

 

BTW, who is the best retailer to allow me to return a router after opening-trying it in its environment?

http://www.staples.com/sbd/content/help/using/returns_policy.html
"Easy Returns: If you’re not 100% satisfied with your Staples purchase, return it for any reason." sounds good

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=901888
"unopened items"..sounds more problematic

Thanks I really want to try something so I can improve network range & move back into the other room..

 

http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Wardriving-Extension-Strongest-Market/dp/B000QYGNKQ/ - while I still want to improve Wi-Fi for all devices hence question about N-router to Actiontec the most important now is this notebook & this was brought up in another thread & seems versatile for $30 if it works well, any thoughts on this or should I just invest in new router? -Thanks

 

why not buy a pile of N routers on craigs list and re-sell the ones you don't want?

Would your landlord let you run a cat6 cable up the outside of the house? Plenum-rated cable is tougher than standard cable and is known to withstand the hassles of bad weather.

 

You do not need to make holes in the walls to run cable. There are the tape on hooks for pictures. I am in an apartment and just put it along the wall.

 

I just bought this router:
http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270757950&sr=1-1

I use the Verizon Actiontec as a primary router, including DHCP. Then I plugged this router's WAN port into the LAN port of the Actiontec and use it as a secondary router for wireless.

It is a simulaneous dual-band router, meaning it broadcasts two networks: a 2.5GHz b/g/n and a 5.0GHz n. I have a Linksys dual-band PCI wireless card I put in my PC two floors up from the basement (where the router is located) and I get full 25Mbps downstream speeds. The 2.4 is variable as everything else in my hosue (baby monitor, microwave, neighbor's wireless network) seem to present intermittent interference.

You want N to get range, 5.0 to avoid interference, and this does both.

The Actiontec needs to remain as primary because it uses the coax to distribute info the the cable boxes for TV info and firmware updates.

Hope this helps

 

When connecting multiple routers you either need the primary setup in bridge mode make the secondary one the main router. Disable the Wireless on the Actiontec to keep the AP from fighting each other. I prefer have the main router handle all DHCP but to avoid a double NAT you should go Lan to Lan. Assign the secondary router a Static IP outside of the main routers range. This will allow you to find and do admin function.

 

I have the Actiontec as primary since it needs to function for cable box info, and a secondary router works fine when it isn't the main. I did this as described above, but maybe I am "double NAT"ed? What does this mean, so that I can fix it and LoveNotebooks can avoid it?

 

Double NAT means you have 2 devices (routers) preforming the NAT. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_address_translation ). Now this is not all bad when it comes to security, makes it harder to penetrate, but adds lag. The main problem is if both are issuing IP address in the same subnet. So on your second routers check the IP's of the WAN and the LAN. If they are in the same subnet it will cause problem. One of the bad things to deal with is if you share files and need to access a pc on the second router. This will fail due to the NAT will block any unrequested packets that were not request by pc's connected to it's lan. If you disable DHCP on the second router and connect lan to lan you just turn the router into a dumb switch. All DHCP will be handled by the primary router. Every thing works fine and you will not have any problems moving data.

I have the ActionTec setup as a sub router with a fw rule putting the Actiontec router in a DMZ. I'm need to connect VPN to my router to access files on my servers when away from home. This way my servers are not exposed to the www, for added security. VPN endpoint connection allows me full access to my entire network. Not the port forwarding to a single pc, like most routers support. But to change primary routers you may need to call CS to have them reset the registered MAC address of the router. This reset takes longer than they think, took over 10 min for mine to get reset. I use VOD but since I'm on a fixed income I do not use PPV. So I have not tested to see if PPV will work with my setup, VOD does work.

 

So the Actiontec Ethernet over Coax MoCA Adapter worked giving me the same ethernet speeds as at the Actiontec MI424WR Verizon supplied FiOS Router without having to run wires upstairs.

A caveat clarification: An Amazon reviewer (TomK1 "tomk1") mentioned the need for a splitter before the coax adapter which proved necessary if you have a STB that you want to have access to the DVR&OnDemand otherwise it works without a splitter if you don't have a need for those FIOS features such as TVs with only their digital adapter instead of full STBs that are assigned IP addresses. It shows up on the network as a Coax Connection Type like the full Motorola HD QIP 7100 1 Set Top Box which actually has a non-enabled ethernet & USB port (TVs with their optional digital adapters do not show up on the network as they are not assigned an IP address).

While I'm really happy to have ethernet upstairs now I still want to add Wi-Fi N to better cover the layout so still appreciate anymore feedback on that. I think I will go with this router I mentioned in this thread as it also has a Built-in USB port and UPnP AV media server -Thanks-Hope this post helps someone else & wish VerizonFIOS & ActionTec actually told people about these Actiontec Ethernet over Coax MoCA Adapters..

P.S. - I wonder if I can set up the new Wi-Fi router from the newly provided ethernet over Coax Moca adapter? (otherwise I'll connect LAN-to-LAN to the Actiontec as described at: http://text.broadbandreports.com/faq/verizonfios/3.0_Networking#12506 )