Computer Question Regarding Wired Ethernet vs Wireless Connections

It's more than adequate for what most people do. The thing about FIOS is that they use their supplied routers as a quasi modem as well. It's not a simple case of just swapping in the new router and having it act like the old router. The old router will need to remain in place, as it acts as a media converter on the coax installs, and will need to be put into bridge mode (if you want the new router to be a true router).

That's the main reason whey I've been harping on just sticking with G. Going with N may open a can of worms that Schneed just may not want to deal with.

If the goal is as instant as possible it most certainly isn't adequate. If you're planning on watching a movie over the network and fast forwarding or rewinding a movie you're not going to be a happy camper, if not then go with G. Also, every ISP gives you a modem/router that doesn't mean you should use this stock modem/router as your home network gateway. Yeah, it might be a pain to get it all setup but once it's done it is well worth it.

It's more than adequate for what most people do. The thing about FIOS is that they use their supplied routers as a quasi modem as well. It's not a simple case of just swapping in the new router and having it act like the old router. The old router will need to remain in place, as it acts as a media converter on the coax installs, and will need to be put into bridge mode (if you want the new router to be a true router).

That's the main reason whey I've been harping on just sticking with G. Going with N may open a can of worms that Schneed just may not want to deal with.

I'm not too familiar with the FIOS router but there's no reason you couldn't leave the routing to the FIOS hw and install an N access point. That way you're not fighting ip addressing conflicts, non-default router configs, etc. Throw a N wireless nic in the basement PC and you should be good, assuming you don't have a lot of interference in the house. Third option is to run some cat5 and install a jack in the basement wall.

I'm not too familiar with the FIOS router but there's no reason you couldn't leave the routing to the FIOS hw and install an N access point. That way you're not fighting ip addressing conflicts, non-default router configs, etc. Throw a N wireless nic in the basement PC and you should be good, assuming you don't have a lot of interference in the house. Third option is to run some cat5 and install a jack in the basement wall.

Yep, you could do that. Or you could buy an N router, turn off DHCP, run a cat5 between the Actiontec and a LAN port on the new router. Would do the same thing. If this is the way you go, it would also be advisable to turn off the radio in the Actiontec as well to reduce possible interference. N uses channel bonding, so in order for it to work as intended, you have to have semi clean air.

Yep, you could do that. Or you could buy an N router, turn off DHCP, run a cat5 between the Actiontec and a LAN port on the new router. Would do the same thing. If this is the way you go, it would also be advisable to turn off the radio in the Actiontec as well to reduce possible interference. N uses channel bonding, so in order for it to work as intended, you have to have semi clean air.

Yeah, this is kind of what I intended. Do they actually make N band access points or are they all full routers by default? Any router should have an Access Point mode that you can implement... We are strictly B/G here at work and i haven't upgraded at home yet. (we're wired for multimedia)

There's no need. G has the speed, is cheaper, and works with the Verizon-supplied routers. Verizon doesn't offer an 802.11n router, so IMO, you'd just be wasting your money on an N adapter, schneed, when a G would work fine.

verizon supplies modems, some of which have routers built in

You can still use an external router with one of those. If you're going to be shooting files back and forth across the network, streaming HD material, etc.. you'll appreciate the N. Sure you can do it with a G, I do, but speed is awesome, especially when backing up data if you can't do it across LAN alone

and as far as moving the FIOS cable, I think I'd rather just run cat-5 from the router downstairs if needed

It's more than adequate for what most people do. The thing about FIOS is that they use their supplied routers as a quasi modem as well. It's not a simple case of just swapping in the new router and having it act like the old router. The old router will need to remain in place, as it acts as a media converter on the coax installs, and will need to be put into bridge mode (if you want the new router to be a true router).

That's the main reason whey I've been harping on just sticking with G. Going with N may open a can of worms that Schneed just may not want to deal with.

No, they are modems that act as quasi-routers. I appreciate your input but you're really just spreading misinformation here, leave it to the rest of us, not to be an asshole

Yep, you could do that. Or you could buy an N router, turn off DHCP, run a cat5 between the Actiontec and a LAN port on the new router. Would do the same thing. If this is the way you go, it would also be advisable to turn off the radio in the Actiontec as well to reduce possible interference. N uses channel bonding, so in order for it to work as intended, you have to have semi clean air.

Okay now you're on the right path. And it's no problem to bridge a modem/router combo to another router and you'll see much better performance likely. Hell even without bridging it (which most people don't) you won't see an issue likely unless what you do is very dependent on port forwarding properly. Such as I have a local MySQL database that is accessed by some scripts on my site when I do internet radio broadcasts; for that reason, in order for my local machine to see the mysql requests I have to bridge/forward ports.. you might run into that case in gaming or certain other applications, but not likely

No, they are modems that act as quasi-routers. I appreciate your input but you're really just spreading misinformation here, leave it to the rest of us, not to be an asshole

No, they are media converters, plain and simple. Not modems. More routers than modems, in fact. Especially now since Verizon has gotten away from PPPoE. ;)

The fiber comes into the ONT, gets converted to and distributed over coax, and then converted to ethernet at the Actiontec.

I love this site, you guys know stuff.

Quick couple of questions:

1) What's the difference in cost between a G adapter in the computer and an N adapter in the computer?

2) How easy is it to later upgrade from a G to an N (assuming I'm willing to also pay to upgrade the router to N)? Like, could a relatively smart person with limited computer knowledge and mediocre handyman skills get it done in a reasonable timeframe without damaging the computer?

Thanks for all the help guys.

I love this site, you guys know stuff.

Quick couple of questions:

1) What's the difference in cost between a G adapter in the computer and an N adapter in the computer?

2) How easy is it to later upgrade from a G to an N (assuming I'm willing to also pay to upgrade the router to N)? Like, could a relatively smart person with limited computer knowledge and mediocre handyman skills get it done in a reasonable timeframe without damaging the computer?

Thanks for all the help guys.

1) Not too much, until you factor in the need for an N router to take advantage of your N adapter. <$100, router included, probably

2) Piece of cake.