Question Considering going with Fiber ISP, have some questions

In2Photos

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Mar 21, 2007
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Our neighborhood is getting fiber installed. I already told them to get my house "fiber ready" as it doesn't cost me anything and will save me $200 if I decide later that I want it. They are offering 1000/1000 for about the same price I pay for 300/10 so I'm considering it. The main fiber box is at the sidewalk on the opposite side of my house from my existing utilities. Currently I have cable internet and had a new line installed last year after some issues with the original line that is routed from this same location around the back of my house (so they didn't have to go under the driveway). The cable comes into the side of my home and then upstairs to a cabinet where I have a modem, ethernet switch and WIFI Router (one of 2 mesh units). I ran this cable myself as there wasn't one in the area where I wanted the equipment. The second mesh unit is downstairs connected with a cable for wired backhaul. So like this (there are some other switches that connect to the main switch and Wifi Router 2 as well).

Cable -> Modem -> Wifi Router 1 -> Main Switch -> Wifi Router 2

With this in mind I don't want to redo my network. So ideally I would just want to replace my existing modem with the new fiber modem. But I doubt they are going to run fiber through my walls/floor to get there. I could prewire the fiber myself following the same path I took for the cable install. So my questions are (of course I will ask the ISP before buying/installing anything):

1. What type of fiber is typically used from the box to the modem? I've worked with both multimode and single mode before.
2. What type of connector is typically used? LC? ST? SC?
3. Anything else to know or consider about switching to fiber?
 

sdifox

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Shouldn't be too hard to run a network cable across the house in the basement
 

JackMDS

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Depends on who is providing the Connection.

Most of them put inside a box that translate the Fiber to regular 1 GB Ethernet.


:cool:
 

Shmee

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I would definitely go for it, the speed upgrade is huge for about the same price it sounds like. Like when we got ATT fiber for less than the cable bill. Also if you are into server hosting stuff or streaming, 1Gbps up is plenty for just about anything you want to run.
 
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In2Photos

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Shouldn't be too hard to run a network cable across the house in the basement
No basement for me, everything has to be run through the attic spaces. I've done it several times before and will likely have to it again to either run a piece of fiber or Ethernet to get everything connected.
It might be dependent on your ISP, but Verizon's FIOS ONT's use a SC/APC simplex single mode fiber cable.

An example of this: https://www.amazon.com/Internet-Armored-Single-Jumper-Optical/dp/B0CXXT4R4Z/

I actually kept that info handy because I have a delayed project to renovate the basement and wanted to relocate the Verizon Fios modem.
Thanks. There doesn't seem to be much info on the internet regarding what's used, but a few videos I found of ONTs being installed looked to use this same type of cable. I'll definitely check with the ISP before ordering. Thankfully these cables don't seem to be too expensive, just a few bucks more than an equal length Ethernet cable.
I would definitely go for it, the speed upgrade is huge for about the same price it sounds like. Like when we got ATT fiber for less than the cable bill. Also if you are into server hosting stuff or streaming, 1Gbps up is plenty for just about anything you want to run.
No plans to host anything at the moment. The kids were considering streaming at one time, but nothing has come of it yet.
 

sdifox

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Sep 30, 2005
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No basement for me, everything has to be run through the attic spaces. I've done it several times before and will likely have to it again to either run a piece of fiber or Ethernet to get everything connected.

Thanks. There doesn't seem to be much info on the internet regarding what's used, but a few videos I found of ONTs being installed looked to use this same type of cable. I'll definitely check with the ISP before ordering. Thankfully these cables don't seem to be too expensive, just a few bucks more than an equal length Ethernet cable.

No plans to host anything at the moment. The kids were considering streaming at one time, but nothing has come of it yet.

just run cat 6, no need to mess with fiber in the house, unless you got a homelab running FC
 
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In2Photos

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Mar 21, 2007
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just run cat 6, no need to mess with fiber in the house
The only way to do this is to install the ONT on the inside of an exterior wall. The garage would be the only location I would consider, but it is not a conditioned space and I do some woodworking out there on occasion so it's a very dusty environment at times. I could install the ONT in a different part of the house. The existing location already has a UPS and all other network connections though. I could put it in my office which is connected to the network with a small Gigabit switch and has a UPS, but I would need to move the router there as well. It would still require routing fiber, but it is an easier route to take.
 

sdifox

No Lifer
Sep 30, 2005
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The only way to do this is to install the ONT on the inside of an exterior wall. The garage would be the only location I would consider, but it is not a conditioned space and I do some woodworking out there on occasion so it's a very dusty environment at times. I could install the ONT in a different part of the house. The existing location already has a UPS and all other network connections though. I could put it in my office which is connected to the network with a small Gigabit switch and has a UPS, but I would need to move the router there as well. It would still require routing fiber, but it is an easier route to take.
Then talk to the installer and have them install it where you want it. They have to trench anyway.
 

In2Photos

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Mar 21, 2007
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Then talk to the installer and have them install it where you want it. They have to trench anyway.
Yeah, I think I just chose a bad spot originally to be the main location for the modem. I didn't think about needing to potentially use a different media. To get from the side of the house I have to go up the wall, through the ceiling/floor of my garage/bonus room and then through the attic. It's not that long of a run and I have access panels since I have already run stuff that way before, but I could have chosen a better spot. There just isn't a great option on my main floor.