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Forum Discussion
Help with Optimum (Altice) Fiber and Router that cannot bridge
Hi Folks- My ISP (Optimum) recently upgraded my house to Fiber lines. The "Altice" modem/router combo cannot be bridged, according to Optimum tech support. The label underneath says "FiberGatew...
The Altice must connect to the optical fiber (the green "PON" port at the bottom), so it must remain in the basement.
Unless there is a lot of WiFi usage in the basement, it would be much better to move the Orbi router upstairs where it can be connected to the Altair with ethernet. (It can ONLY connect to the Altair with ethernet.)
At that point, you have more choices. The WiFi backhaul connection between the Orbi router and satellites may be "good enough" and essentially "you're done." If the router can be centrally located, maybe the satellites can be placed close enough to get a good signal and still cover the remaining living space.
You will know very quickly if the Cat5e cable was properly installed and terminated when you hook up the router. On the Advanced Tab, click on the blue box "Show Statistics". If the WAN link shows as 1000M/Full, then the router is connected to the Altair at full speed.
I realize this is a ridiculous drawing. But if I were to connect satellites hard wire, which option is best?
1) no switch, satellites hard wired to Orbi directly, then Orbi to Altice directly.
2) satellites into switch. Switch to Orbi. Orbi to Altice.
3) everything to switch.
1) no switch, satellites hard wired to Orbi directly, then Orbi to Altice directly.
2) satellites into switch. Switch to Orbi. Orbi to Altice.
3) everything to switch.
- The reason for the above question is because there really is no central location in my house that is hard wired for the Orbi router to go. So regardless of what I do, I’d really like to hard wire satellites if that’ll get stronger signal from those satellites.
These are great drawings.
#1 "works" as long as this layout provides adequate coverage of the areas that need coverage.
- Requires no additional equipment.
- Requires no additional ethernet wire.
- Can be tested immediately.
- May not be a great use of the Orbi WiFi in the basement if there are no WiFi devices in the basement.
- Additonal devices can be wired to the two upstairs satellites.
- One Orbi LAN port remains which can be used to connect one additional upstairs device to the Orbi if ethernet wire goes to the location where the device is placed.
#2 also "works"
- Provides three WiFi units upstairs for greater upstairs coverage.
- Provides less coverage in the downstairs, where there may be no need for.
- Provides three Orbi units that upstairs devices can be wired to.
- Provides additional ethernet ports that other upstairs devices can be wired to if there is ethernet wiring to the location where those devices are placed.
- Requires addition of an inexpensive, unmanaged gigabit switch (under $40).
- BUT, requires a new ethernet installation back to the Altice location.
#3 does not work as shown. The Altice should be connected directly to the Orbi and the Orbi connected to the new switch.
- Allows more upstairs devices to be "wired" to the downstairs Orbi, even if they are not in the same room with the Orbi satellites.
- But, the downstairs Orbi WiFi may be "wasted" and upstairs coverage may suffer.
- Requires addition of an inexpensive, unmanaged gigabit switch. (under $40)
I suggest you start with option #1 and check out the upstairs WiFi coverage. If it is what you need, then you are done.
If upstairs coverage is NOT adequate, then #3 will not be any better, so installing another ethernet cable to the Orbi location is the next step.
- Thank you for your continued comments and input. Do you accept gratuity??? :)
Question: in option number 2, why would I need an additional line installed? Am I able to connect the Orbi router into an existing Ethernet port in my house? I’d then go and find that line in the basement and connect direct into the Altice... That is because #2 shows TWO lines between the Orbi and the basement. (one to the Altice and one to the swwitch = two).
- Oh right, duh!
Ok, second to last question. In option number 2, Which port am I using on the Orbi to the Altice and which am I using From the Orbi to the switch?
Final question (maybe!). Most of my pre-installed Ethernet cables are labeled CAT5E. However, some are labeled as you see in the attached photo. I assume these cables are NOT cat5e and will not carry gigabit speeds, correct? WAN (yellow) port on Orbi goes to Altice. any LAN (white) port goes to switch.
The photo did not appear to be attached, sorry.
Try again?
- Did it work this time?
- If you hard wire the satellite, would you be getting better WiFi performance output From that satellite versus a wireless connection to the router? Or would a satellite with wireless connection to the router offer identical performance versus a wired satellite? It seems that hard wiring a satellite should offer a stronger connection and therefore a stronger WiFi output...?
