Planning a migration when fibre arrives, Learnings from you guys needed

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › Planning a migration when fibre arrives, Learnings from you guys needed

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#208745 26-Feb-2017 09:26

Hi I'm currently on cable in Christchurch, so when fibre finally arrives (next few months) in my island of non fibre (its all around me) I would like to move to 2degrees. My understanding 2degrees its a naked service so either go and buy / rent from 2degrees or buy my own, then add a speed upgrade.

Setup we have a number of data enabled devices, Main Server PC, Multiple Wi-Fi TV's, Tablets, Phones, Laptops etc. Data rich environment.

So Questions:

1. Do I get a option for the location of the ONT, if so anything to look out for / recommendations.

2. Go with 2degrees ISP modem or buy one, if I buy one anything to look out for / recommendations.

3. Lead time for installations from reading around it seems to be an issue, is there possibility I would be stuck with the old server disconnected and the new fibre not yet installed.

4. Finally any benefits from speed boosting to 900Mbps from guy who have it what have you noticed, Good or Bad.

I know a Million Questions but it would help me I bet a number of other people.

Virgil

Dangerous Chocolate
206 posts

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#1726383 26-Feb-2017 09:50

To answer just one of them, don't disconnect the old service until the new is confirmed working. It may cost you 1 extra month, but well worth it to ensure seamless cut-over.

Lurking ...

naggyman

697 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1726387 26-Feb-2017 10:09

1. Yes you do, to an extent. I think there is a max distance but they're pretty flexible if you want it somewhere - just tell the installer when they scope the job. The common 'suggestion' is to put it behind the customer's TV setup but it is up to you. We got our ONT installed in out DIY Network Cabinet and chorus had no issues with it.

2. I'd suggest going with the 2Degrees Fritzbox. They are pretty good modems that last the distance. We had some issues with the power supply on ours causing WiFi issues but Snap (at the time) replaced the power supply free of charge and the issues went. Also the VOIP PBX is really good, and it has DECT support.

can't really answer 3 sorry.

4. Unless you are doing heaps of downloads at once (e.g 'Linux ISOs') then gigabit isn't needed. Most average households will struggle to thrash a 100Mb/s connection (which would require multiple people streaming 4k concurrently). So going with a 100/20 plan is going to suit the majority of home use.

Morgan French-Stagg

morgan.french.net.nz

Bananabob

511 posts

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#1726423 26-Feb-2017 11:20

Can I add a question or two?

I currently have VF HFC and have a router plugged into their modem. And all my devices access the router by wi-fi or cable.

If I switch to UFB do I keep my router and plug into the modem supplied and just go on as normal?

Why is the ONT put behind the TV? Does it matter where it is? What is the guiding principals for ONT positioning?

Thanks

froob

692 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1726424 26-Feb-2017 11:21

1. The "standard" location is behind the TV, but installs can go to almost any indoor space the cable can be run to, provided it doesn't get overly hot, wet or dusty. Edit: It also needs power!

If you are at all handy, I'd suggest picking a location beforehand and making a pathway for the cable yourself. That might allow you to build a neater path for the cable, that the contractors might avoid because it would be too time consuming.

A good way to have the cable emerge from the wall is using a brush plate, as in the photo below (shown in Northpower Fibre's installation video). I'm not sure exactly how Enable in Christchurch brings fibre into the house.

2. There is a really good guide to routers here: The router guide - what is best. I'm not sure what 2degrees supply or whether it's any good.

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

naggyman

697 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1726428 26-Feb-2017 11:31

Bananabob:

Can I add a question or two?

I currently have VF HFC and have a router plugged into their modem. And all my devices access the router by wi-fi or cable.

If I switch to UFB do I keep my router and plug into the modem supplied and just go on as normal?

Why is the ONT put behind the TV? Does it matter where it is? What is the guiding principals for ONT positioning?

Thanks

If you're on Vodafone 'FibreX' then you can keep your router as you go to UFB. If you are on traditional HFC then I believe that you'll require a new router.

The ONT replaces the Modem.

The idea (or at least Chorus') for behind tv placement is that most large data consumption would occur at the media centre (e.g Netflix Streaming etc).

Also TVs are often in the lounge where most people would want the best WiFi reception.

Again ONTs can go almost anywhere. As long as they have power and good access (and not too hot/dusty as with any piece of electronics).

Morgan French-Stagg

morgan.french.net.nz

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#1726431 26-Feb-2017 11:42

#1 piece of advice if changing providers, whatever you do DO NOT EVER contact the service provider you are leaving until the new service is up and running. Just about every horror story starts with "I contacted my current provider to advise them I was leaving...". It might cost you a month but soooo worth it.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

froob

692 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1726442 26-Feb-2017 12:06

Bananabob:
...
Why is the ONT put behind the TV? Does it matter where it is? What is the guiding principals for ONT positioning?

Another thing I'll add is if you have kids (or are planning to) then locate the ONT somewhere they will not be able to get at it. The fibre pigtail coming out of the ONT is quite thin, and a good tug would probably damage it.

Guide: Installing Network Cabling in New Zealand Homes

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1727075 27-Feb-2017 13:03

Thank you all for the great responses, sorry for the late reply had a busy Sunday and been head down this morning at work.

Takeways
1. Don't call the old ISP until your operational with the new one, that's a goody and I will be doing this.

2. Decide on location of the ONT and make provision for it before they arrive (Needs to be near power outlet and in an easy to route for the fibre cable location)

3. No real world benefit from 900Mbps connection, I guess unless your running a business and need the bandwidth.

Question

Like BananaBob I have a Cisco Docsis Modem feeding into a ASUS AC66U Router; recommendation look to use the Fritzbox connected to the ONT or could I just connect the ASUS directly if not possible my thoughts would be use the ASUS as a Wi-Fi extender.

michaelmurfy

meow
13266 posts

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#1727100 27-Feb-2017 13:30

If I was you I'd do the following:

1) Grab a UniFi USG (Here).
2) Grab 1 or 2 UniFi access points (Here) or look at the UniFi-AC-Pro (Here).

Ceiling mount the UniFi AC - There is a story of a previous installation I assisted @ZollyMonsta with and it has been rock solid with this setup Here and configure your USG and UniFi access points to the cloud controller I host - you then have your whole network at your fingertips for configuration.

Best of all, if you ever decide to go Gigabit you can. The UniFi system is modular so you can upgrade parts as needed. This route is quite expensive but if you care about your internet then you won't look back once you've done it.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

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DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1727105 27-Feb-2017 13:52

Thanks Michael,

The units don't seem too expensive if you compare to the latest offerings in the market.

I'll have a look that, Thanks :)

antoniosk

2358 posts

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#1727108 27-Feb-2017 14:01

naggyman:

Bananabob:

Can I add a question or two?

I currently have VF HFC and have a router plugged into their modem. And all my devices access the router by wi-fi or cable.

If I switch to UFB do I keep my router and plug into the modem supplied and just go on as normal?

Why is the ONT put behind the TV? Does it matter where it is? What is the guiding principals for ONT positioning?

Thanks

If you're on Vodafone 'FibreX' then you can keep your router as you go to UFB. If you are on traditional HFC then I believe that you'll require a new router.

The ONT replaces the Modem.

The idea (or at least Chorus') for behind tv placement is that most large data consumption would occur at the media centre (e.g Netflix Streaming etc).

Also TVs are often in the lounge where most people would want the best WiFi reception.

Again ONTs can go almost anywhere. As long as they have power and good access (and not too hot/dusty as with any piece of electronics).

Vodafone standard deployment model for cable and fibre is

- ONT for Fibre, Technicolor Cable modem for cable

- Huawei HG659 (manageable by Voda remotely as well as certain settings by customer) inline with both

If you're technically minded you can replace the HG659 with your own piece of kit - NOT AN APPLE DEVICE - but it's not necessary.

________

Antoniosk

trig42

5816 posts

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#1727111 27-Feb-2017 14:05

Regarding the OP:

I wanted my ONT to go in our hallway cupboard. It has easy access from under the house.

I pre-drilled two holes in the cupboard (one for the fibre to come through from under the house, the other for the LAN cable to the router), and placed power in there (ran it through a wardrobe from the bedroom behind - through a brushplate for tidiness). I ran a LAN cable from that cupboard to where i wanted my router (in the AV cabinet in my lounge). When they came to scope, I showed them where I wanted the ONT - no issues from them.

They blew the fibre in from the road on the scope visit (and left it curled up under the house) and came back a couple of days later with the ONT and ran the fibre from the ETP to the ONT, plugged the ONT into my LAN cable which was already connected to my router which I had preconfigured. They made their calls and checked the speed and were gone (total install time including scope was less than 2 hours).