How do I get vlan tagging (UPDATED)

[I_want_to_skydive]

Hello!

 

I just got Centurylink Fiber.  My question is that I am having a hard time finding a modem. Not modem router combo like the one supplied to me. Currently the setup is Fiber->ONT->Modem/router. I can't seem to find a modem that will accept an ethernet port as an input instead of a coax connection. Is there a way around this or any recommendations? My end goal is to be able to het something like an asus router so I can throw my vpn back on it. I tried connecting my old asus router to their router/modem combo but the vpn would not connect properly. Again my preferred method would be to separate modem and router and leave it that way. The only thing that tech support tells me is that I must find a Modem/Router with vlan tagging, which when plugging into amazon or google does not help too much. I was thinking of going for a cisco modem router but in all honesty I don't take my cisco class for network engineering until next semester so I would not feel comfortable going through their menu.

 

Sorry for the long rant, But thank you ahead of time!!

[GuiltySpark_]

If you have an ONT that hands off Ethernet (like most), you just need a router, any router will work. 

 

In a fiber setup with an ONT, there is no traditional "modem" at all. If you really wanted to, you could think of the ONT like the "modem" but ultimately its not comparable to a cable internet setup if you had that previously. 

 

I've had FIOS for over a decade now and setup the ONT for Ethernet handoff and I can use any router I want.

 

If you need VLAN tagging, that's for one, strange and two completely doable but you need to leave out the whole "modem" part of your searching. You're probably going to need a more robust router than your typical SOHO stuff. I would look at Ubiquiti's routers to start with, good pricing and lots of features.

 

 

Or.. just use whatever CenturyLink provides and leave it alone.

[I_want_to_skydive]

Okay, this clears things up a bit, Everytime I call or go to chat their support team always gives me a different answer. (its just a router) (its a modem/router) (its a gateway) (it needs vlantagging). My issue is I don't want to start buying and throwing products at the "problem" I have until I find a solution. Hence why I can here for some guidence. And like I said, The reason for wanting to get out of the OEM router is to be able to enable a vpn on the router itself. Its easier to manage that way especially for tv's and other products. 

 

Also you talked about your ONT having ethernet handoff, is that something you have to contact your ISP to enable or should it be enabled by default?

[GuiltySpark_]

3 minutes ago, I_want_to_skydive said:

Okay, this clears things up a bit, Everytime I call or go to chat their support team always gives me a different answer. (its just a router) (its a modem/router) (its a gateway) (it needs vlantagging). My issue is I don't want to start buying and throwing products at the "problem" I have until I find a solution. Hence why I can here for some guidence. And like I said, The reason for wanting to get out of the OEM router is to be able to enable a vpn on the router itself. Its easier to manage that way especially for tv's and other products. 

 

Also you talked about your ONT having ethernet handoff, is that something you have to contact your ISP to enable or should it be enabled by default?

 

Ah, ok by the way you were talking I assumed that your ONT already handed off via Ethernet. If its still handing off via COAX, at least with FiOS, you can call Verizon and have them switch it. Keep in mind though, it may be more difficult to then get the TV set top boxes to work if they use MOCA to communicate. You may need to work out a way to keep the CenturyLink provided router in the mix just to supply a connection to the set top boxes if you have any.

 

If you don't have TV service or any of the set top boxes, don't worry about this. 

 

I'm really more familiar with doing all this with FiOS and they have so many guides on DSLReports. I'm having trouble finding any information about centurylinks fiber service at all, which is strange. https://www.dslreports.com/forum/centurylink

[I_want_to_skydive]

Okay, Thank you so much! I have a better understanding of what I need to do now! 

[Donut417]

5 hours ago, I_want_to_skydive said:

(its just a router) (its a modem/router) (its a gateway)

That you need to figure out. Because some Fiber providers like AT&T use a Gateway (ONT/Router). Verizon just uses an ONT and coverts the Fiber to Coax and Ethernet. But what you have will depend on the provider. 

 

If you have a standard ONT then you should be able to just use any old router you want from my understanding. 

[Falcon1986]

6 hours ago, I_want_to_skydive said:

Is there a way around this or any recommendations?

What would take a lot of the guesswork out of this issue would be if you could post the exact make/model of the ONT and gateway device.

[I_want_to_skydive]

On 7/20/2021 at 7:08 PM, Falcon1986 said:

What would take a lot of the guesswork out of this issue would be if you could post the exact make/model of the ONT and gateway device.

411 Micro GPON Indoor ONT

Part Number:

1287787F1

Sorry for the late response, Finals week at school.

[I_want_to_skydive]

I found this about the ont. Its on the company site and I was wondering again about the vlan tagging. Since the ONT has Vlan tagging does that mean that I do or don't need a router with the same capabilities. Again sorry for all the questions, Its difficult to trust or get these answers from an isp customer service rep.

 

[Falcon1986]

27 minutes ago, I_want_to_skydive said:

411 Micro GPON Indoor ONT

Part Number:

1287787F1

Sorry for the late response, Finals week at school.

OK.

 

What about your existing modem/router?

[I_want_to_skydive]

2 minutes ago, Falcon1986 said:

OK.

 

What about your existing modem/router?

C4000XG

on Centurylink website they call it the greenwave C4000

[I_want_to_skydive]

Okay I found the datasheet for the router now and it seemed they lied to me. Its just a wifi 6 router, no vlan no nothing, what has the vlan is the ont. At least this is what I think from what I am reading. So technically I should be able to just hook up any router I want?

[Donut417]

Just now, I_want_to_skydive said:

Okay I found the datasheet for the router now and it seemed they lied to me. Its just a wifi 6 router, no vlan no nothing, what has the vlan is the ont. At least this is what I think from what I am reading. So technically I should be able to just hook up any router I want?

Doesn’t surprise me. I’m pretty sure they were charging $10 a month equipment rentals regardless if you used their router. The FTC and FCC came down hard on them.  

[I_want_to_skydive]

Okay boys, we are back at this again. I dropped $300 on an asus router to find out that I actually do need vlan tagging and to set the ID to 201. I checked on my current router and yep its set up in there. So new question, can I buy a switch that is managed or has vlan capabilities and bypass this hell I am dealing with? I have no idea how a switch works and honestly I am about to just give up fighting the man and just use their router. But lets be honest with ourselves, if we don't fight this battle here then what about when your ISP makes you decide to use their router or figure out this damn tagging things. So please, any network engineers that want to chime in can go ahead at any time. I am looking for advice on the switch before I just keep throwing money at this problem until it fixes itself. I really don't want to give up as I know there has to be a way.