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Swapping existing router w/ a replacement; any issues?

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videobruce

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Oct 4, 2013
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I'm replacing a TP Link Archer C7 with a Netgear R7000. My ISP is Verizon FIOS. I've initially setup the R7000 connected to my rarely used Laptop with NO Internet connection (purposely). Both have dd-wrt F/W.
What is the least hassle way of swapping Routers other than disconnecting one, then connecting the other? My concerns are with the ISP giving me a hassle one way or the other w/ the switch.
Also if the new router has some unknown 'glitch' and doesn't make the connection and I have to resort back to the original router, is that a problem with getting an new address from Verizon? I made NO changes to the WAN side of the settings

BTW, they are charging me $5 per month NOT to use their router! (No, I'm not kidding)

I did come across this from Techlicious;

Release the IP address on your Fios router

Releasing your IP address from your existing Fios router allows the ONT box to assign the correct IP address to your new router when you plug it in. According to the Fios technical support rep, this should happen automatically after a short period of time, but you might as well do it manually just to make sure. To manually release your IP address, follow these steps:
  1. Log into your router settings either by typing https://192.168.1.1 or by going to myfiosgateway.com (method depends on what type of router you have) and entering your password. This information will be in the sticker attached to your router.
  2. Click on My Network at the top of the page, then Network Connections from the left menu.
  3. Click where it says Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax)
  4. On the Broadband Connections Properties page, click Settings at the bottom.
  5. Scroll down and click Release under DHCP Lease. Then hit apply changes."
Comments on that?
 
Verizon has a say over your local IP address? Remind me never to use that service.
It's a router, not a modem, right? You should be able to plug or unplug any router without a company caring.
 
videobruce said:
What is the least hassle way of swapping Routers other than disconnecting one, then connecting the other? My concerns are with the ISP giving me a hassle one way or the other w/ the switch.
Click to expand...
That is the least hassle way.

ty_ger said:
It's a router, not a modem, right? You should be able to plug or unplug any router without a company caring.
Click to expand...
ty_ger is absolutely correct. Assuming you are not using an integrated modem/router device, your ISP doesn't care about your router. And since the TP Link Archer C7 is a separate router and not such an integrated device, all you need to do is unplug the C7 from the modem and plug in the Netgear and be good to go - well... maybe.

You may have to reboot all your Ethernet connected devices in order for them to pick up their IP assignments from the new router. For your wireless devices, you may need to reconfigure them to connect to your new wifi network. Then you should be good to go.

videobruce said:
I did come across this from Techlicious;

Release the IP address on your Fios router
Click to expand...
That sounds like they are talking about their leased integrated Fios modem and router. You are using separates so the IP address assigned to your modem does not need to be released and reassigned since it is not changing.

BTW, I have the Netgear 7000P. It is a similar, upgraded version of the 7000. For sure, it is the best wireless router I've had or used, and I've used Linksys, Cisco, older Netgears, TP Link and several others.
 
videobruce said:
Local, no, WAN yes AFAIK.
Click to expand...
And that's normal. The ISP always controls the IP address assigned to your modem, which is tied to your physical address (and your account).
 
videobruce said:
I was thinking of the local IP addresses the Router assigns if it is setup that way.
Click to expand...

I don't know if you know what you're talking about and it's confusing everyone.

The ISP will control the IP that directs traffic to your modem. That's normal to the point that it would be extremely abnormal if a residential user was able to select their external IP. (For example, this IP is what you would provide a friend to connect to if you hosted a game server)

Your internal LAN IP is managed at your router. Whether it's your own router or the ISP's, it is controllable via the routers webpage. This IP is not accessible from outside your LAN, because that's not how it works (You can port forward from your external IP to a specific internal IP). These are typically your 192.168.x.x
 
Last edited:
I think ShiBDiB was wondering, and so was I, because your reply in post #6 suggests you weren't following what ty_ger or myself were saying. That is NOT a criticism, just an observation, or perception of what we were seeing.

ISPs assign one of their IP addresses to the "gateway device", in your case, the modem. Since you are not changing modems, that will not change.

The router then physically connects to the modem by Ethernet cable via the router's "WAN" port. Note, on some routers, that port is labeled "Internet". Most WAN ports are a different color than the Ethernet Switch ports and are often separated from the switch ports by a small space or line. According this image of the R7000, it is separated, yellow and labeled WAN. You connect to your modem via that WAN port to the modem's Ethernet LAN port. Most modems only have 1 Ethernet port in back. It may or may not be labeled.

From there, please read my post #3 again. If something is not clear, please post back with questions.

Either way, please post back with a followup.
 
Apparently I wasn't 'wording' some of my previous posts correctly. My bad.
Other than doing some initial setup, loading dd-wrt to get rid of that terrible 'stock' F/W w/ the Router NOT connected to the ONT, I haven't 'installed" it yet. Mounting is a issue due to it's wider footprint.
 
Shrek said:
At that price I'd use their modem.
Click to expand...
He is using their modem. It is because he is using his own router they are charging him the $5.
 
lexluthermiester said:
That is unlawful in many places, including where I live.. Consumer protection laws exist for a reason.
Click to expand...
I agree. If it is legal, it sure is unethical - in my book.

I can understand (don't agree but understand) them charging customers for the modem when you use your own. This is because the providers roll that cost into the monthly fee. It usually is not a separate line item. But not the router.

I mean technically, if you only have 1 computer and you use Ethernet, you don't need a router. You can connect the computer directly to the modem.

I don't advise that because even a simple router adds a significant layer of security - even with a network of one. But for Internet access with one computer, no router required.

In fact, COX (my ISP) will have customers do exactly that (connect their computer directly to the modem via Ethernet) when troubleshooting just to eliminate the router and user's LAN from the equation.
 
be sure to flash that router w ddwrt/openwrt too.
 
FYI;
This is Verizon FIOS, NOT a Cable MSO. There are no modems, only ONT's (Optical Network Terminal). No RF, except if there was TV, but that doesn't apply here.
AFAIK, you can't buy ONT's. It comes with the service. Again, It's the Router surcharge that is the issue. I'm sure it's to kinda force you to use their equipment for service troubleshooting. AKA less service calls or more important, less "Truck Rolls".

Already flashed days ago, just to get away from Netgears log-in process by itself was worth it! ;)
 
videobruce said:
There are no modems, only ONT's (Optical Network Terminal)
Click to expand...
While true, ONTs are not modems, they serve a very similar purpose. In fact, ONTs are often called "fiber modems".

videobruce said:
I'm sure it's to kinda force you to use their equipment for service troubleshooting. AKA less service calls or more important, less "Truck Rolls".
Click to expand...
If that were the case, then it would not be such a big deal. But there is absolutely no reason, technically speaking, ISP provided routers are more reliable or require fewer service calls.

Its all about $$$. They know in just a couple years (if that) their provided router will be paid for. After that, it is pure profit as the user pays for that router over and over again.
 
I have the existing Router is running, the replacement Router (Netgear R700) is mounted and powered up, but no connections.
What is the best/safest order to swap cables? WAN first, then LAN, Power on for both or shut down everything and swap all cables?

My devices all have static IP's, no printers involved. The only WiFi is for my wifes cell phone. I did connect the new Router to a Laptop w/o any Internet connection do do initial settings.

What is the safest way?
 
When there is a power cut, everything goes dead, so don't worry, just plug everything in and power up the unit.
 
Unpower both routers first, then move all cables, then power up the new router? Or should I just connect the WAN cable 1st, let it find the ISP's connection handshake, then connect all the LAN cables?
 
clone mac of the port connected to the ONT, plug and play No fee No config and they are none the wiser
 
Swapped ok (with a couple of glitches). I did do a 'Release' and power cycled the ONT, just to be sure. The ATA (Obttalk) had a problem with the interruption, it ha to be re-booted twice.

Considerably more power consumption (2 to 2 1/2 X) and the resulting heat with the Netgear over the TP Link which is why I mounted this vertically with 'spacer feet' to increase air flow from the bottom of the enclosure. I also did that with any other equipment that I mount vertically.
 
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