Bypassing Verizon FIOS Actiontec router and using your own router instead
March 23, 2009 9:37 amVerizon loans you the Actiontec router when they come over to install the FIOS service at your home. It is an excellent router in all respects except for one flaw. The router contains a very small (1K) NAT table which can quickly get full if there is a sufficient number of simultaneous connections and cause your Internet to choke for a few minutes.
Fortunately, there is a way to “bypass” the Actiontec router by turning it into a network bridge to your wireless home router (such as D-link or Linksys) and directly use your router for the Internet connection. The tricky part is that you still need the Actiontec router in this picture because it is responsible to communicate the TV channels guide/schedule to your DVRs.
The short summary of the solution is to create two bridges and use DHCP relay:
Create a bridge from Broadband Connection(Coax) to Home Network (your router which will get the pubic IP from Verizon and is the DHCP Server for the network, including the DVRs)
Create a bridge from Broadband Ethernet to Coax and set it up to use DHCP relay (so your router can assign IP addresses to the DVRs and enable them to download the Guide information).
Below are the step-by-step instructions (taken from this link).
Configuration of your cables and the secondary router (D-link or Linksys).
Coax -> Actiontec -> Actiontec:Ethernet connection1 -> 2ND Router Internet Port (WAN Connection)
2ND Router:Ethernet port 1 -> Actiontec:WAN (Internet)ethernet port.
Sounds redundant but your second router is the new DHCP server and the Actiontec uses the DHCP server to give itself an internal ip address and allow Internet connection for your DVRs.
One computer plugged directly into your Actiontec Ethernet port 2
Steps to be taken on the Actiontec router:
1) Press and hold the reset button on the back of your router for 15 seconds.
2) Connect to your router (at http://192.168.1.1) and put in your new password.
3) Click on My Network on the top. Then click on Network connections on the left side.
4) Click on Broadband Connection (Coax) -> Then click on Settings
5) Under DHCP Lease, select RELEASE, Then immediately after select No IP Address under Internet protocol.
6) Select Apply.
7) Click on My Network on the top. Then click on Network connections on the left side.
8) Select Home Network -> The select Settings.
9) Under Bridge Section, Check the Broadband Connection(Coax) box and Check the STP Box on the right as well.
10) Uncheck the Coax and Wireless Connections and associated STP boxes.
11) Disable the DHCP Server under IP Distribution.
12) Click Apply and Click Apply again.
13) Click on My Network on the top. Then click on Network connections on the left side.
14) Click Add at the bottom right.
15) Select Network Bridge -> Next -> Select Add a New bridge -> Next -> Check Broadband Ethernet and Coax. Uncheck Wireless. -> Click Next.
16) Check Edit the Newly Created Connection and click on Finish
17) Change DNS Server to Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically
18) Under IP Distribution select DHCP Relay
19) Click apply
20) Click on My Network on the top. Then click on Network connections on the left side.
21) Click on Advanced button at the bottom.
22) Click on the Edit button to the right of Broadband Connection (Ethernet)
23) Click on Enable
24) Click on apply
25) Click on Wireless icon at the top
26) Select Basic Security Settings and turn Wireless OFF.
27) Click apply.
28) Click on Firewall Settings -> Click Yes -> Select Minimal Settings -> Click apply -> select yes
29) Restart your 2ND router and then restart your TV/DVRs. Your 2ND router should now have a public IP address. It may take up to 20 minutes for the TV guide information to be updated on the DVRs.
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