FiOS Networking Help Needed - Actiontech doesn't cover whole house

[trexmgd]

OK guys, here's the deal: I've got FiOS and it's been great, but I have a connection/range issue.

Verizon supplies their own router (Actiontech) which connects to a coax outlet and then either through wired or wireless connection to your PC/XBOXTV/Cell Phone/ETC.

The main box for FiOS is in the garage and then converts to coax through a 4 way splitter. The router is located in the back of the house in a small office/den via coax connection. I have signal issues to my home theater system and laptops when on the other side of the house. And I have a HTR that only has a wired ethernet connection.

Also, I'd like to be able to play XBOX 360 in two rooms (two separate xboxes), over the connection.

I've already read that I can't just hook up a second router in the living room. And before you suggest I run CAT6 all over the house, believe me I'd love too, but its a slab house with vaulted ceilings and would be a major pain to do the drops, etc.

What can I do to get everything working?

 

[JackMDS]

If you need a strong Wireless you have No choice but to lay few cables and connect a Wireless Router configured as an Access point to the end of the cable.

Using a Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Otherwise, build a WDS network.

WDS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireles...ibution_System.

Some Wireless Routers do WDS as is.

Otherwise get a Wireless Router that can be flashed with DD-WRT.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/WDS_Linked_router_network

Using a Laptop loaded with Wirelessnetview, do a Wireless survey, http://majorgeeks.com/WirelessNetView_d6102.html

According to the signal strength reading, identify spots that have strong signal. and spot with weak, or No signal.

Evaluate how you can cover the space and start placing WDS units.

Additional Wireless Routers in WDS Mode (Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ) has to be placed in spots were the signal is good about Half way to the dead spots.

How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment (that is a good the reason to buying WDS units one at the time, try it, and decide on the Next step).

This High Power Wireless Router is a good choice for such Project.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162031

Or this if you need Dual Band.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162047






http://www.ezlan.net/antennae.html

 

[trexmgd]

As I begin to research the solutions listed above, does anyone have knowledge or experience with MOCA? I found this device: Actiontech Coaxial Network Adapter listed as a possible solution to my situation. The same model minus the "V" (for Verizon) has comments in the review section that sounds like it may work.

 

[nitrous9200]

The MI424 works fine in my house but I was looking for wireless-N and gigabit ethernet.
I just plugged in a Netgear WNR3500L into the actiontec, disabled the actiontec's wireless and put the Netgear router in the DMZ (could also disable firewall). That's just if you're considering wanting to swap the router; basically, you don't need to, and you can easily pug in another router. Only thing you have to do is set the new router to use a different IP range; the Actiontec was using 192.168.* and the Netgear automatically changed itself to use 10.0.0.*.
I didn't want to bother with one of those coax adapters since it seemed like more trouble, even if it might be "better".

Powerline adapters would probably work well in your situation. One of these kits would provide you with both wired and wireless access wherever you place the second adapter (other one plugs into the router).

The second adapter would let you plug in something like an Xbox, and then it would also give you a wireless connection for tablets, phones, laptops or what have you. I've installed a bunch of these kits in customers' homes and they are very easy to setup and work great (especially the one linked above; normally they only have wired connections on both ends but the one with the built-in wireless access point is nice).

 

[kevnich2]

My suggestion would be this: http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-MCAB10...2978450&sr=8-1

The two piece kit is only about $80 through amazon and gives you two units. Your FIOS router already provides the moca head-end so just plug this in to your coax jack and make sure that coax is on your splitter and you'll be good. Bandwidth is pretty good and moca is a nice technology. Works great.