Preparing for fibre installation

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timmmay

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Topic # 130845 30-Sep-2013 13:38

I'm getting UFB installed this Friday, most likely to my ceiling cavity.

How does an ONT mount? I'm mostly wondering if it can be be sat on a piece of plywood up in the ceiling or if it needs to be mounted properly to something vertical. I ask because Snap says they go to some trouble to make sure it stays put and doesn't move around.

Edit - this has been done now, I mounted the ONT and router in a top cupboard, and I'll eventually put a UPS in there too. I'll monitor the temperature and add fans as required.

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Chorus

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Reply # 905122 30-Sep-2013 14:00

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For a Chorus network connection:

We are typically locating the ONT behind the TV in the living room as streaming/on-demand video is likely to the biggest bandwidth app in the home in the near-term.

Our research shows that most people sit in their living room using their Wi-Fi connected laptops/tablets/smartphones, another good reason to locate the ONT in the living room.

There will always be a mains-power outlet in the living room, unlikley to be one in the ceiling cavity.

Ceiling cavities are full of dust, not good for an electrical appliance.

Also, you will at some point want to power down or reset the device, crawling up into the roofspace to do this is not ideal.

Talk to the installer, together you will work out the best place based on your requirements and home layout.

dolsen

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Reply # 905176 30-Sep-2013 15:14

I remember reading somewhere (probably on here) that the ONT needs to be mounted vertically for cooling requirements, there was also a mention that having no fan may have been a reason.

Chorus was happy to place my ONT in the ceiling without issue (I do have stairs if that made a difference).

timmmay

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Reply # 905186 30-Sep-2013 15:32

Thanks ChorusVan. Behind my TV/entertainment system isn't an option. I know the downsides of the ceiling cavity but I'll likely go with it anyway. My house has gigabit network cabling and routing, power in the ceiling, conduit in various places, and easy access to the ceiling cavity with stairs.

I told Snap that in advance so if Chorus say no then I'll probably not have UFB installed, at least not for now.

I'll make sure there's some way of installing vertically. Can it just be screwed to a 4x2 or will it need a piece of plywood there?

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browned

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Reply # 905189 30-Sep-2013 15:34

UFB in Hamilton insisted I secure the ONT myself, think they were just lazy 20 some things not wanting to hang around.

The ONT I have is secured by two screws in the wall and it will slid into place. Nothing fancy. They should put it where you want it.

Ceiling might be too hot in the summer.

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timmmay

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Reply # 905192 30-Sep-2013 15:38

I've been through the heat thing in three different threads. I know it's not ideal, but various people have had things in ceilings for years and never had a problem. It's only for a year or so, and if necessary I'll add some kind of venting or ventilation.

I'll also have a good look around this evening to see if I can work out a better place for the ONT and modem.

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Lorenceo

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Reply # 905196 30-Sep-2013 15:42

You know, something else to consider with the heat. If it does cook itself I doubt the LFC will replace it without charging you. They're pretty small devices, no bigger than the average router. IMO you could easily hide it somewhere in the house.

kiwi_64

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Reply # 905197 30-Sep-2013 15:42

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While I agree that streaming/on-demand video will be the/a big driver for UFB I'm not sure that that necessitates having the ONT in the lounge.
Personally, I have the ONT installed in a distribution cabinet in the garage, and the modem/wireless router installed centrally within the house.

When more online content is available, I'll route that to the TV(s) via the structured cabling. I won't be relocating any devices from their current locations.

ChorusVan

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Chorus

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Reply # 905198 30-Sep-2013 15:43

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If the positioning of the ONT in the ceiling space makes sense due to existing structured cabling, power & within easy reach of exterminal termination point, AND it is dry & safe then I am sure the installer will be able to put it there.

The mounting holes for the ONT are 160mm apart so could be screwed directly to a 4x2 dwang (horizontal) if available. If you were contemplating attaching to a 4x2 joist (vertical) then a piece of wood/plywood nailed or screwed to the joist, to screw the ONT onto, would be required.

ChorusVan

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Reply # 905204 30-Sep-2013 15:54

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Kiwi 64 - Where there is pre-built structured wiring in the property we prefer to install the ONT at the appropriate point (i.e. the comms cupboard).

Most installs we are doing are in houses without structured wiring so behind the TV is the favoured position. i.e. No running cables from the other end of the house to get Smart-TV, PS4, Xbox, Roku, AppleTV, Netflix/Hulu/TVNZ OnDemand working.

If a customer wants the ONT in their home office or back bedroom then we can do that too, but behind the TV means that a 1 metre ethernet cable makes most devices work.

dolsen

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Reply # 905206 30-Sep-2013 15:58

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Just on your comment that "it's only for a year or so". Moving the ONT is not supported by any of the guides / services I've seen and would probably incur extra cost - if they were prepared to do so.

If it's only the router being moved then not an issue.

timmmay

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Reply # 905217 30-Sep-2013 16:20

I don't have proper structured wiring, a cabinet, or power right exactly where it's required, but there's space, power via a cord, and conduit put in place for it.

I know moving an ONT isn't recommended or currently supported. I'll talk to the tech and make sure the more permanent place I'm thinking of putting it won't involve any fiber cuts.

Like I said I'll have a look around and see if I can move something out of cupboard to make space. My fiance wasn't keen, but if I move things from storage in a cupboard to an airtight container in the roof she might be ok with it... but honestly I'd rather try to convince a chorus tech to put this where I want it than convince my fiance to let me put ugly things in the house ;)

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timmmay

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Reply # 905222 30-Sep-2013 16:30

I've found a top cupboard I may be able to use as our network cupboard. There's no power or holes for cable to come in, but I can have power put in pretty easily and drill a hole for cables, and it's easy access from the ceiling where the fiber will come through. It has a door I can leave partially open for ventilation. It's a warm room in summer, but cooler than the ceiling cavity. There's space for a UPS as well.

That's a better option than the ceiling space. Now to convince the fiance...

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ChorusVan

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Reply # 905225 30-Sep-2013 16:32

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The Ethernet ports and the POTS analogue ports on the ONT are the service delivery points for the broadband and baseband services delivered by the LFC.

Once the ONT is installed it is intended that it stays put. It becomes an INTACT connection. Only the Gateway or Router moves with the customer (or gets returned to the ISP).

When you move out of a UFB connected property the Layer 2 service is turned off. The next resident requests service from their RSP and we liven up the ONT remotely.

timmmay

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Reply # 905231 30-Sep-2013 16:50

I know it's intended to stay put, but I think Chorus may have to take into account people modify their houses and network setups, and they'll have to modify them in future. If I'm told I can NEVER move it then I probably will put it in the ceiling, and if it fails it fails and I'll pay for a new one.

For example if I do keep using the area I've identified I could put a domestic data panel into the top of the wardrobe. That hopefully wouldn't require any changes by Chorus, but if I decided to move the data cupboard into another room then it might.

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chevrolux

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Reply # 905275 30-Sep-2013 18:15

Moving an ONT is really never going to be too much of an issue. It's just a bit of splicing.

In reality though it would be heaps heaps easier to run a copper cable to the ONT. Joe Bloggs can run a copper cable fairly inexpensively. However, it takes a bit of experience to splice a fibre not mention $20k worth of splicing kit.

Don't over think this. It is a relatively simple decision and you need to think long-term. Personally I don't see the ceiling space as EVER being an option for anything unless gaining access is like walking in to the next room (ie with a built in pull-down ladder).

Also think about how they will run the fibre to the ceiling space. You don't want ugly plastic trunking going up a wall somewhere.

So to reiterate, put the ONT where it suits you but also where it suits the installer. Then run a copper cable to the ONT from your patch panel.

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