[ResQme]

Originally Posted by idlewild

Hey Nerds (speaking directly and complimentary to jrref and ResQMe):

First, thank you both so much; it's very helpful

To supplement what you both stated, I spoke with a technician at Centrix today who confirmed I "have the latest" configuration with the fiber going directly into the kitchen. Since I haven't been down there, I haven't seen the Smart Panel in the garage yet - purposefully avoiding (my?) rather confusing acronym of Low Voltage Panel (or LVP) as I just had our floors replaced and couldn't for the life of me figure out what anyone would run Ethernet cables to the Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring. LMAO.

Anyway, he confirmed the device in the kitchen is both the gateway/router and ONT and I was able to get him to tell me the brand (Calix) as you mention. He also said it was a "U4," which I believe is the Calix GigaSpire ug4 (check my photo against this box). The stated technical specifications on this device are:

The GigaSpire u4g system unites GPON ONT and residential gateway functionality into an integrated system helping you to expand and grow your residential and business Wi-Fi use cases.

Product Attributes​:

* Wi-Fi 6 - 2.4GHz (2x2), 5GHz (2x2)
* Integrated GPON
* GE WAN port
* 2 x GE LAN ports
* USB 2.0 (Type A)
* Managed by Calix Service Cloud

So here's my configuration which I assume is similar to that of other new home owners:

Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) enters the home into the Smart Panel in the garage, terminating in the Hexatronic box providing Fiber to the Home (FTTH).

A Multimode Fiber (MMF) cable connects this box to the Calix GigaSphere u4g located in the kitchen cabinet above the refrigerator.

An Ethernet cable should connect this box back to the Smart Panel and to where the 3 non-terminated Ethernet cables should be, one for each port in the "Smart Home Ready" locations (in mine/most cases: the lanai, the living room, and the master bedroom).

That's the basic setup. Most will want to add a switch - like the Netgear 1 GB 8-port (for $20 on Amazon - to "activate" these ports.

In addition, I plan on building out a Unifi network by:
(1) Upgrading my gateway to WiFi 7
(2) Running Ethernet to drops for POE cameras and a smart doorbell
(3) Adding a NAS so I don't have to pay a monthly subscription to Amazon (Ring) or anyone else

To do that, I'll need to respectively:

(1) Remote into my Centric and minimally turn off WiFi. The technician with whom I spoke today said they "can't" put it in bridge mode, but I really don't want a double-NAT'd system so any recommendations here would be helpful.

(2) Likely work with someone (Galaxy was recommended) to help with the Ethernet runs/drops to the other bedrooms, cameras, and doorbell.

(3) Setup a NAS (Synology) compliant with the Unifi network and cameras to ensure I can record everything...and use streaming media apps like Plex.

Sound correct?

Yup, everything you said is correct, IMO. So, since you can't change the Calix to bridge, and Centric is unlikely to do it, I would recommend you leave the Calix to do the routing, and set your mesh (if you plan on adding any) to bridge. Also, do not use a 1GB switch in the LVP. You mentioned you want to upgrade to wifi 7; might as well future-proof yourself and use a 2.5GB switch (or 2.5GB switch with two 10GB SFP+ ports.) Even though Centric is 1GB right now, I'm sure they will increase this eventually.

[idlewild]

Is this the FTTH box?

[jrref]

Originally Posted by ResQme

Yup, everything you said is correct, IMO. So, since you can't change the Calix to bridge, and Centric is unlikely to do it, I would recommend you leave the Calix to do the routing, and set your mesh (if you plan on adding any) to bridge. Also, do not use a 1GB switch in the LVP. You mentioned you want to upgrade to wifi 7; might as well future-proof yourself and use a 2.5GB switch (or 2.5GB switch with two 10GB SFP+ ports.) Even though Centric is 1GB right now, I'm sure they will increase this eventually.

Quantum is now offering 500Mbs, 1Gbs, 2Gbs, 5Gbs and 8Gbs so I would assume Centric will offer faster speeds as well over time if they installed the infrastructure to supply these speeds. But at the end of the day, if you are just streaming and surfing the web 1Gbs should be overkill. But in addition to getting faster internet if you install a NAS then having a faster switch in the LVP is probably a good idea. I've actually upgraded my network to 10Gbs in my home myself, just because.

[biker1]

You need about 5 megabits per second per stream for Hi-Def and 20 megabits per second per stream for 4K. For most people, anything more than about 50 megabits per second nominal download speed is overkill. Paying for more bandwidth than you need is a waste of money. Of course, the minimum offered, typically way in excess of what you need, is the lowest you can go but going beyond that is a waste of money..

Originally Posted by jrref

Quantum is now offering 500Mbs, 1Gbs, 2Gbs, 5Gbs and 8Gbs so I would assume Centric will offer faster speeds as well over time if they installed the infrastructure to supply these speeds. But at the end of the day, if you are just streaming and surfing the web 1Gbs should be overkill. But in addition to getting faster internet if you install a NAS then having a faster switch in the LVP is probably a good idea. I've actually upgraded my network to 10Gbs in my home myself, just because.

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by ResQme

So, since you can't change the Calix to bridge, and Centric is unlikely to do it, I would recommend you leave the Calix to do the routing, and set your mesh (if you plan on adding any) to bridge. Also, do not use a 1GB switch in the LVP. You mentioned you want to upgrade to wifi 7; might as well future-proof yourself and use a 2.5GB switch (or 2.5GB switch with two 10GB SFP+ ports.) Even though Centric is 1GB right now, I'm sure they will increase this eventually.

Thanks! Great advice on ordering a switch with at least 2.5GB ports - will do.

Curious as to why you would recommend leaving Calix alone and dumbing down my own router? I'm looking at the Unifi Dream Router 7 for reference. I'm sure this is an in depth technical discussion so feel free to summarize, if you can. Is it as simple as the the cost of double NATing outweighing the benefits of added security / features I could use with the DR7?

[ResQme]

Originally Posted by idlewild

Is this the FTTH box?

Yes.

[ResQme]

Originally Posted by idlewild

Thanks! Great advice on ordering a switch with at least 2.5GB ports - will do.

Curious as to why you would recommend leaving Calix alone and dumbing down my own router? I'm looking at the Unifi Dream Router 7 for reference. I'm sure this is an in depth technical discussion so feel free to summarize, if you can. Is it as simple as the the cost of double NATing outweighing the benefits of added security / features I could use with the DR7?

Nice router! I'm not a network guru so there's no deep technical discussion from my end. That's also the reason I'm not a fan of double NATing - I don't want to have to set up, troubleshoot, and maintain a complex network. It's as simple as that - just my preference. Whichever option you choose, definitely turn off the Calix radios, though.

My primary home is still in Naples (the house hasn't sold) and I work from home and my security requirements are extremely high. For that, I use a hardware firewall/router with DPI. I am going to attempt to get Centric to turn off the Calix routing, but if they won't do it, I can set my firewall/router to bridge and not lose any features.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by idlewild

Thanks! Great advice on ordering a switch with at least 2.5GB ports - will do.

Curious as to why you would recommend leaving Calix alone and dumbing down my own router? I'm looking at the Unifi Dream Router 7 for reference. I'm sure this is an in depth technical discussion so feel free to summarize, if you can. Is it as simple as the the cost of double NATing outweighing the benefits of added security / features I could use with the DR7?

Here is some information on double NATing. At the end of the day, if you are not gaming it shouldn't be a problem and to be honest, in the home market, it's done all the time when people want to use their own equipment. Also, when you call Centric, let us know what they say. They may not be so resistent to put the Calix in bypass mode. The only downside for them is in bypass mode they can't see the router any more when troubleshooting and it won't take any more updates when Centric pushes them out. I'm kind of surprised they lock out some of the router settings but we are very lucky to have a fiber internet option. As I mentioned, with Quantum there are no restrictions once you log into the router but there was a time where there was a firmware bug when you put their router in Bypass mode so I had to leave it and was double NATing and never had a problem or saw any real difference.

Just a moment...

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by jrref

At the end of the day, if you are not gaming it shouldn't be a problem and to be honest, in the home market, it's done all the time when people want to use their own equipment. Also, when you call Centric, let us know what they say. They may not be so resistent (sic) to put the Calix in bypass mode. The only downside for them is in bypass mode they can't see the router any more when troubleshooting and it won't take any more updates when Centric pushes them out. I'm kind of surprised they lock out some of the router settings but we are very lucky to have a fiber internet option. As I mentioned, with Quantum there are no restrictions once you log into the router but there was a time where there was a firmware bug when you put their router in Bypass mode so I had to leave it and was double NATing and never had a problem or saw any real difference.

I agree, it shouldn't be an issue, but ideally we should be able to setup our Wi-Fi the way we want, right? Kudos to Quantum for that. I'll keep you posted on what Centric say about configuring to bridge mode (they've already hinting they won't do it, that some admin settings are locked).

I'm a beginner at this but would like to setup a VLAN for my IOT and guest devices and the UDR 7 makes that a breeze.

HERE'S A GREAT VIDEO from Dave's Garage a year about in which he - an self-proclaimed Unifi "fanboy" - configures this router.

I wonder how much of this, if any, I couldn't do without having the Centric gateway bridged...

[DCUNY]

Well, I’ve read this entire thread and still have some questions. I drove by Seabreeze rec center the other day and saw a huge spool, probably 8 feet in diameter, of an orange wire / conduit / not sure. Also workers are going around and painting the street to mark where they are going to do something (see photo). One of the neighbors said Quantum is installing fiber optic, which would be awesome.

Thing is, our house is 20 years old, and we don’t have any kind of ethernet cables running from the garage to anywhere in the house. Only RG-59 or RG-6 cables.

I’d like to switch to Quantum because xfinity will be raising my rates later this year (no more promo rate).


What is the recommended installation for houses that have no ethernet cables running from the garage?

Thanks in advance.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by DCUNY

Well, I’ve read this entire thread and still have some questions. I drove by Seabreeze rec center the other day and saw a huge spool, probably 8 feet in diameter, of an orange wire / conduit / not sure. Also workers are going around and painting the street to mark where they are going to do something (see photo). One of the neighbors said Quantum is installing fiber optic, which would be awesome.

Thing is, our house is 20 years old, and we don’t have any kind of ethernet cables running from the garage to anywhere in the house. Only RG-59 or RG-6 cables.

I’d like to switch to Quantum because xfinity will be raising my rates later this year (no more promo rate).


What is the recommended installation for houses that have no ethernet cables running from the garage?

Thanks in advance.

In new fiber installations the recommended installation is the standard installation. There are not many options. Quantum will run the main fiber down the street installing individual terminals in small in-ground boxes somewhere on the lawns in front of each home. When you order the service, Quantum will then run a fiber optic cable from the terminal on your front lawn to the side of your home. Quantum has the layouts of each home and will try to run the cable on the side of the home to the nearest front room. From there they install the standard fiber slack box on the side of your home and will drill through the wall to get inside the home. Inside the home they install the smartNid (ont and router) covering that hole from the outside and then install the Wi-Fi 7 main pod next to it. Because there are no ethernet jacks in these older homes, there is nothing to connect into so everything is WiFi. The main WiFi pod has a 4 port switch so the homeowner can run their own ethernet cables to jacks around the home if they want. In all my experience so far, the main WiFi pod usually covers the entire home and if necessary Quantum will install an extender. One trick is to install the main WiFi pod on top of a shelf or on a desk, the higher the better in the room where they bring in the fiber instead of the default mounting on the wall. See the attached pictures. You will need a longer cable than what the Quantum tech has on the truck to do this generally so if you order the service through me I provide that cable free of charge and install it for you on the day of the installation. If not you can go on to Amazon and order and install it yourself.

In Bonita Villas and in the surronding areas Quantum has done this install and from my experience they work well. Of course, if you are a teckie and want the best Wi-Fi and internet experience possible you can purchase and install your own mesh system from Orbi, TP-Link or Amazon Eero and or have an electrician run an ethernet cable where ever you want it but so far, I don't feel it's necessary unless you have a special situation.

Hope this helps.

[idlewild]

...adding to jjref, you may also want to give Galaxy Home Solutions a call: (352) 748-4868.

Smart Home Technology Solutions | Galaxy Home Solutions Inc.

[DCUNY]

Thanks jjref. I’ll PM you with some detailed questions for my particular situation. Appreciate the help.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by idlewild

...adding to jjref, you may also want to give Galaxy Home Solutions a call: (352) 748-4868.

Smart Home Technology Solutions | Galaxy Home Solutions Inc.

Actually, I've delt with Galaxy home solutions and they are great as electricians but their low voltage team can basically install ethernet wires for you which you may or may not need. I hate to say this but I wouldn't go to them for network advice. For that, I and several here on this site can help you better since we probably have more experience in that area. I also know trusted people who can professionally install network systems for you if needed.

If you live here in the Villages, remember almost all homes are single floor homes and not multifloor like where we used to live, which makes these new Wi-Fi Mesh systems easy to install and get 100% coverage without a lot of work. You can also use Ubiquiti and set up an access point system but in my personal opinion that's way overkill unless you have a special situation like you want a locally hosted camera and video door bell system that they offer or want to "play" with the ubiquiti system and learn more about networking as a hobby. There are pros and cons to both systems and each person's home and specific needs may require one system vs another. In most situations I've found a good Wi-Fi 7 router and mesh system placed in the proper location will give you close to 100% coverage in homes here in the Villages. I hope this helps.

[jrref]

Originally Posted by DCUNY

Thanks jjref. I’ll PM you with some detailed questions for my particular situation. Appreciate the help.

I responded to your PM in detail.
Thanks!