Hi,
I read multiple questions on people changing ISP, but asking questions after the fact. I am curious about what I can do to best prepare for the change, that should happen tomorrow.
-
Should I delete all my reserved (or disable) all my DHCP addresses reservations (which include current Hubitat box, and other devices such as SONOS speakers) on my current router before changing service?
-
Verizon FIOS insists on installing their own router - Is I do, should I anticipate the new router won't recognize any of my current devices and I will have to all pair them again? Should I insist on keeping my old router?
Any other advice?
Thank you so much.
Note your existing network (192.x.x.x, 10.x.x.x etc)
Make a list of your reservations (Name, IP, MAC)
When the new router is installed, either you change or have the tech change the default network and subnet to match what your old one was.
Set up all your DHCP reservations on the new router.
Go have a beer.
4 Likes
My 2¢ would be to keep your old router, or get a new one that is yours (to keep, or replace when you want in the future).
I've personally never had good experiences with ISP supplied devices.
Plus, it's my LAN and I want it my way. 
But I've no idea how much of a battle Verizon FIOS would be to set up to use your own router. 
4 Likes
One option is to keep your router and daisy-chain it to the new router. You can then keep everything set up on your current network. Plug the WAN plug on your old router into one of the network ports on the new router. Check the DHCP assignment from the new router and turn it into a static route.
Edit: I did this and daisy chained another router since I needed more LAN ports.
Very easy. I have fios (1 gig up/down) and use a T35 Watchguard with it. Outside of the dmarc, there isn't anything that's theirs on our lan.
2 Likes
Doing this is never recommended as it causes double NATing and a lot of things have issues with that. The only exception is using it (like comcast) as passthru or bridge mode.
2 Likes
Will you have TV or phone through FIOS as well?
It’s easy to get rid of Verizon’s router if all you need is their internet service, but I believe that TV services like DVR, or the channel guide, rely on that Verizon router to work properly.
You do always need to keep the ONT, which is their device that accepts the incoming fiber connection (like a modem).
1 Like
@rlithgow1 That is a valid point. My primary router (which I own) is connected to the fiber interface. I did set up the second to act as an access point, which means it is in the same subnet as the primary router. Thank you.
1 Like
In addition to making sure the new router uses the exact same LAN address range, and recreating the exact same DHCP Reservations, I would also recommend setting up any new WiFi access point(s) to use the exact same SSID name and password as your old router. This will ensure every device simply automatically reconnects (wired or wireless) to the new network and operates the same as today.
4 Likes
Good point didn't think about that.
Thank you so much for all these helpful tips. If I summarize:
-
since I will only get internet with FIOS, the easiest route would be to keep my current router and connect to FIOS' ONT (@marktheknife, @rlithgow1 , @Ranchitat ). Keep SSID the same and connect the WAN port to fios's DMARC -might have to reboot the router to catch the ip from fios (@rlithgow1).
-
if they insist on installing their router, I should write down all DHCP reservations (to recreate them on new router), change default network and subnet on new router to match the old ones, and use same SSID name and password (@ogiewon and @rlithgow1 ).
In the first scenario (keeping my old router), please let me know if you think of anything else that needs to be done in order to have a seemless transition. I'll try to convince them to go that route first!
2 Likes
And as @ogiewon mentioned, keep your SSID's the same. Is your old router just a router or is it from the ISP? If it's your own router, just connect the WAN port to fios's DMARC and it will be fine. (might have to reboot the router to catch the ip from fios)
2 Likes
Thank you. My old router is my own.
Thank you again. The transition today was super smooth! Kept my own router.
3 Likes
