Use Your Own Router With Verizon FiOS

Routers provided by Verizon are the only routers supported for FiOS because they allow Verizon to remotely access them for support purposes and provide Internet connectivity to FiOS cable boxes for guide and Video on Demand data. A Verizon router can be replaced with a third-party router if connected to the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) with Ethernet cable, but a Verizon router must be used if connected to the ONT with a Coaxial cable. In this case, a third-party router can be connected to it.

Steps

Replace the Verizon router with your own

  1. Determine if the router is connected to the ONT with Ethernet. If your FiOS router has an Ethernet cable connected to its WAN/Internet port and the port's lights are on, you're all set. If it doesn't, you'll need to connect an Ethernet cable between the ONT and router.
  2. Run an Ethernet cable from the ONT to the FiOS router if necessary. Locate the ONT (the box where the incoming fiber optic cable plugs in) and run an Ethernet cable from its Ethernet port to the Verizon router's WAN/Internet port. If this is impossible for whatever reason, you'll need to keep the Verizon router and follow the "Make Changes to your NEW Router" or "Make Changes to your Verizon Router" procedure below to set up your own router behind it.
  3. Call Verizon to have your ONT switched from Coaxial to Ethernet if necessary. You'll need to do this if you just ran an Ethernet cable from your ONT to the router. Verizon can do this remotely and it will only take about 10 minutes for the whole call.
  4. Purchase and connect a MoCA adapter if you have FiOS TV service. A MoCA adapter allows your cable boxes to connect to the internet and download guide and Video on Demand data when a third-party router is used. Normally, they connect through a Verizon router's Coaxial cable connection, which a third-party router does not have. Disconnect the Coaxial cable from your Verizon router and connect it to the Coax In port on the MoCA adapter, and connect an Ethernet cable between the MoCA adapter's Ethernet port and the router. Make sure everything works before proceeding further. The ideal MoCA adapter can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013J7OBUU/
  5. Do a DHCP release on the Verizon router. From a location where you have physical access to the Verizon router, navigate to it (typically http://192.168.1.1) and log in. Go to "My Network", "Network Connections", "Broadband Connection", then "Settings". Locate the "DHCP Lease" line and press the Release button. As soon as it goes through, power off or unplugs the Verizon router.
  6. Connect your router. Unplug the Ethernet cables from the Verizon router and connect them to yours. Make sure the cable that was plugged into the Verizon router's WAN/Internet port is connected to the WAN/Internet port on your router. There should be no coaxial cable involved. If you have FiOS TV service, it should already be connected to a MoCA adapter. If you only have the Internet, it's not necessary.
  7. Configure your router. Log in to it as instructed in its guide, and go to its internet connection settings. Its internet connection type needs to be set to DHCP or Dynamic IP. It should automatically get an IP address, after which you'll be able to connect to the internet through it. If it doesn't, call Verizon and have them manually release and renew the IP.

Make Changes to your NEW Router

  1. Plug in your new router but do not connect it to the existing ActionTec router. If your router has an internet light, it will NOT turn on. It typically takes 1-2 minutes for a router to be fully started.
  2. Using a WIRED connection, connect your computer to the new router. Wait for it to receive an IP address.
  3. Open your web browser and connect to the new router's administrative website. This is usually http://192.168.1.1, but may be different. Refer to the router's instruction manual for details.
  4. Use the login credentials provided to log in.
  5. Change the existing IP address of the router to 192.168.2.1. This setting location will be different on every router.
  6. Change the subnet. This setting should be right below the IP address if it exists. If so, change it to 255.255.252.0
  7. Save the settings. Once done, your router will restart. However, you will no longer have access to the administrative website since you changed the IP address. Wait about three minutes and then point your browser to http://192.168.2.1.
  8. Verify that the changes have taken effect on the router. If you can log in, the changes have been set.
  9. Unplug the router and disconnect your connection. Now, connect to the ActionTec router using a WIRED connection.

Make Changes to your Verizon Router

  1. Using a WIRED connection, connect to the Verizon ActionTec router. Login with your credentials.
  2. Click the "My Network" icon at the top. Then click "Network Connections" on the left. After that, click Network (Home/Office).
  3. Change the IP address on the ActionTec router to 192.168.1.1, if it isn't already. The default for the ActionTec router is 192.168.1.1.
  4. Change the subnet. Again, this setting is directly below the IP address setting. Change the subnet to 255.255.252.0.
  5. Click Apply. Give the router about five minutes to restart. Once it does, point your browser to http://192.168.1.1.
  6. Change your DHCP settings to allow new connects to start at 150. To change this setting, click Advanced, IP Address Distribution, and then the Action icon on the right. You will not be using this DHCP server, but it is used by your FiOS set-top boxes.
  7. Assign a static IP to your router. This is done by clicking Advanced, IP Address Distribution, then Connection List. Click New Static Connection. Set up your hostname. Set the IP address 192.168.2.10. Type in the MAC address of your router. This can usually be found on the bottom of your router.
  8. Put the router outside the DMZ. The Demilitarized Zone is an IP address that is allowed to have unfettered access to the router. Assign your router to the DMZ by clicking Firewall Settings and then clicking DMZ Host. Type in the IP address you assigned the router: 192.168.2.10.
  9. Connect the router. Your router is ready to go.



Warnings

  • Changing the subnet setting to anything other than what is shown on this article can have an effect on your local network. Follow the directions exactly if you are unfamiliar with how this setting works. Changing any of the numbers may prevent you from going online or even accessing other computers within your own network.

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