Hi there,

Just asking opinions with providing a router or just using the one provided by the internet provider.

Once we setup port forwards, it's definitely a good thing to provide our own router. That way the internet provider can do whatever tp their router and it wont affect our devices.

Whicb router do you recommend?

The network is the most important part of the install. Why anyone would use the ISP provided garbage is beyond me.

Rule # 1 on every install: Rip out ISP router and replace
Rule #2 confirm rule #1 took place.

Which router? you will get a list. It will vary from Araknis, Unifi, Mikrotik, Luxul, etc.

Hi,

1. When possible

2. SonicWall

Frederick

+1

I always recommend using my own router. This advice is not always followed.

For cable systems I try to replace the ISP rented router with a purchased modem. The payback period is only a year or so and this will tend to keep the cable guy at bay if he shows up. With FIOS, go direct to the ONT.

Here in Canada Bell Fibe uses a modem/router that communicates with tV set top boxes. I wonder if there's a way to bypass router because I have not attempted yet

We replace the modem and the router. Unless there's some special circumstance, the customer doesn't get a choice. If it's cable we'll generally use an Arris standalone modem and Ubiquiti Router. We used Cisco RV180s for the longest time, but they are discontinued and the replacement has all kinds of issues.

If it's DSL we'll either bridge the modem and use ubiquiti, or replace the modem with a Nighthawk combo unit.

What are you all doing with ATT U-Verse internet? They say they don't have a stand-alone modem and for the models that were used until recently, NAT can't be disabled and it can't be set to Bridge mode. They use only Arris in the Milwaukee area, although they now have gateways that can be set to disable NAT- I'll be trying this with the new one I received last week. I wanted a replacement because WiFi sucked with the one they originally sent (and its replacement). I had been using a Luxul as an access point and that was flawless.

I have been reading comments in a local online bulletin board from people who have ATT and Spectrum- they're having problems with both and they aren't getting good solutions.

I would imagine it would be the same routine that is done for when dealing with the Verizon ActionTec units. Supply your own router and then setup your router within the DMZ of the ISP provided modem/router.

Yes, you will be double NAT'd. But it hasn't caused any of my systems any concerns.

I am in BC and we have telus fibre with their own router/modems.

I am not familiar with Bell's set up but to get around this issue here in BC we set up 2 networks...

1. UBNT unifi router for the hardwired and wireless networks
2. Telus router/modem network solely for the TVs.

We install a gigabit switch after the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) and separate the UBNT router and Telus router.

We have had a lot of success with this method.

The ISP (Telus) router can now receive new firmware and updates and not effect our network and the we no longer have to worry about separate VLANS and stuff for their TV network.

I'm in Ontario as well and am very interested in finding out how to work with/around the Bell Fibe router.

The trouble is that it doesn't come in on a fiber cable to a modem. It comes in on a phone line into the Bell modem/ router.

I talked to a Bell tech and he said there is a way to plug a new router into the Bell router and use it to provide the network and wifi while still allowing the Bell to handle TV but he want sure how and I didn't have time to ply him for more info. They're phone support had nothing to offer.

The few Bell setups I've done I only had to reserve some IPs for receivers controlled by Casatunes. This has been working fine. I actually think the Bell Five routers may be pretty good.

Rogers on the other hand is a big POS and gets bridged every time, and then a new router every time. I've been using Ubiquiti Edge Router Lite and a gigabit switch.

Craig

That will put you into double NAT. Some fear this, me, never an issue.

My own place: ISP to mikrotik router to pakedge router to pakedge switches/access points. Works all day everyday.

In Comcast land it was always pretty doable to replace their network gear, that is until Comcast phone service became more widely used. While there are nice Internet modems available, to get an Internet/phone modem you often have to use one of their approved models, which defeats the whole purpose of replacing their modem in the first place.

On another note I am finding the newest Comcast gateways are not causing me any issues. They have at least respectable Wi-Fi range now as well.

So I can just plug a router into the bell router, and then use mine as the main network, just be sure the SSIDs are different as the Bell network will still be active?

Craig