Need assistance with router setup?
Need assistance with router setup?
I'm trying to install a router in my living room and need guidance on setup. The fiber line enters my room through a Nokia ONT, which connects via Ethernet to the wall. From there, it links to a Telus router/modem upstairs, which in turn is paired with an Asus router and a fiber TV box. I want to directly connect my laptop for internet access. Only one port on the ONT seems to work, but I've used another router as a switch between the ONT and the wall connection before. However, the setup causes issues—my laptop stutters when it's configured as a router. I'm hoping to fix this without buying extra equipment. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
The term “router” now refers to three distinct concepts. Originally, it described a device linking Ethernet LANs together, separate from switches which handle internal LAN connections. Often, devices combining switch and router functions are labeled “routers.” Many people also refer to WAPs as routers since they can act as wireless switches, 4-port Ethernet switches, and Ethernet routers in one package. They’re sometimes simply called “routers,” though a more precise term would be “wireless router.” It’s becoming difficult to find genuine pure routers; they’re increasingly similar to Ethernet hubs. Prices are usually limited to used options. Edited May 12, 2022 by Bombastinator
ONT transforms light signals from fiber into electrical data on the copper wire that leads to the ISP box. There’s no need to insert anything between ONT and the ISP box—it doesn’t make sense. The ISP router or modem handles the connection between your home network and the Internet. If you wish to link your laptop via a wired cable to the Internet, simply run a cable from the ISP box to your device. Just be okay with it. Which ISP router model did you choose? Why is an Asus unit present, and what role does it play?
I received the Telus Wi-Fi Hub (Arcadyan) router. Upstairs I use the ASUS Router since it offers faster speeds than the Telus model. I also kept the extra one because I previously lived elsewhere before moving here.
The ISP router is connected to the wall via coax, linking it to the optic TV on the upper floor. I have a coax connection inside my room and wanted to know if I could simply wire it directly from there. Since finding another route for a cable downstairs would be much more time-consuming, I was curious about that option.
Ethernet doesn't rely on coax cable by default. You'll need adapters—two in total, one for the laptop and another for the Telus Wifi Hub. Connect the existing coax wiring in your home between them. Then install two Ethernet RJ45 patches, placing one inside the laptop and the other at the Telus Wifi Hub's LAN interface. In theory, this setup should function. It also depends on having coax already installed and having spare cable that isn't currently in use. For example, aim for a direct rj45 link between your laptop and the Telus WiFi Hub's yellow LAN port, which offers the most stable connection. Your Optik TV is connected to the MoCA port shown in the image—correct? That works, but this link is only usable by your TV because the provider has already set up communication between the devices via that coax connection or whatever was provided.
This setup seems like a mix of old hardware components. It appears to be a switch for ISDN or a cable box, possibly handling two audio phone lines separately from the main signal. The yellow RJ45 connectors are likely 4-port switches, while the grey ports are RJ11 for phone connections. There’s a USB port at the base and it might support wireless too. No visible antennas were found, though internal ones could be present. It probably works as a simple 4-port switch, maybe even suitable for a star LAN. The main issue is that it only has a single coax input, making it hard to connect modern devices. I’m unsure about the exact purpose of the coax connector or the USB port—it might be from a cable TV company or another vendor. You could adapt it with a USB-A to USB adapter if needed, but without a clear understanding of its original use, things remain uncertain. There’s also a risk of fire or failure if nothing works properly. Without a usable WAN port, the device’s usefulness is limited.
The problem with powerline ethernet is its 10base2 standard, and the setup often relies on the outdated wiring methods left by a long time ago. Results vary—sometimes it functions, other times it fails. Likely success rates are higher in homes built in the 1970s, possibly due to code requirements. It’s quicker than the even older 10baseT (vampire tap ethernet), which was a 1990s innovation, though still not very fast. It’s significantly better than having no setup at all. Edited May 13, 2022 by Bombastinator