Router/Modem Upgrade Help

[rackrage]

So I don't l know that much about modems or routers but I am positive that mine is really outdated and old.

 

For whom it may concern, the hardware is called UltraLine Series 3 Model 9100EM and we got it from Verizon a several years ago and it is set up coaxial.

 

Anyways despite paying for 50Mbps, we can't even get half of that so I pretty sure it is time for an upgrade. My family of 4 do a lot of streaming and my brother and I play a lot of video games using the WiFi and was wondering some options of products to upgrade to and would be happy to learn more about modems and routers. I would rather not have to call my ISP because it always its up being frustrating and I don't need to get stressed out about it.

 

Can't wait to hear everyone's input, I will be happy to reply to you all and thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Thank you.

[Razor512]

Depending on the router and clients, you may not get 50mbit/s over WiFi, so test your speeds using an Ethernet connection.

 

Do you know if your ONT is GPON or BPON?

 

If it is an older BPON based ONT then if you have multiple STBs connected, then speeds can get a little slow (each 1080p channel being viewed pulls around 25-30mbit/s).

 

Sadly in those cases, you can't simply ask verizon to upgrade it, unless you can get then to send someone out there to fix their stuff, at which point, they may be willing to replace the ONT.

 

 

Also, are you able to run an Ethernet cable from the ONT, to a router? If so, then do that, and ask them to configure the ONT to use Ethernet.

 

After that, you can then take steps to run their router behind your new router.

There are a number of ways to do it, but the easiest (requiring the least amount of work) is the LAN to LAN setup.

 

https://www.dslreports.com/faq/15993

 

Their guide makes it seem more complex than it really is.

 

Really all you are doing is once your new router is up and running over Ethernet, then on the verizon router, you change its local IP to something else (e.g., 192.168.1.200)

 

You then disable the DHCP server on the verizon router ( also its WiFi radio if needed), then connect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port of the verizon router, to a LAN port of your new router.

 

After that, assign your DVR box a static IP address of 192.168.1.100 (that is the default that verizon uses for their DVRs)

 

Then perform the following port forwards.

 

external port 3500 to internal port 8082  for 192.168.1.100

and port 63145

 

 

When verizon does their periodic check (where they dump the NVRAM from  your router, to their servers, and they can't, then they disable the remote DVR function (meaning you can't set recordings from over the internet) it is their way of discouraging people from using non verizon routers.

 

Overall, if you call verizon tech support and know exactly what you are looking for, they will be more willing to do what you need.

 

PS if you are unable to run your own Ethernet cable, you can get them to do it for you by temporarily upgrading to a 100mbit plan (that will require them to replace the ONT with a GPON unit if it not already is, and also run Ethernet. (not sure if they will do it outside of a contract though)

 

 

PS, check if Time Warner or any other cable provider is available in your area. if there is, then call verizon and report your speed issues

 

Mention that you have tried power cycling all of the networking equipment and the computer, and that the speed issue is present on all systems both wired and wireless.

 

They will fix it, as the customer service is generally pretty good in the areas where there is more than one option for broadband.