The Asus RT-N56U (alternative to Actiontec router) - Page 34 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

binarymelon · 2012-05-23, 06:28 PM

Quote:

My TV is all coax. Performance is great.

How do you have your PVR hooked to the Asus?

habskilla · 2012-05-23, 08:10 PM

via the Trendnet TPA-311 adapter. But, if you don't want to purchase the Trendnet, you can still use the Actiontec to do the TV.

binarymelon · 2012-05-24, 10:21 AM

I'm assuming you would lose the performance benefits if you put the actiontec back into the mix?

file · 2012-05-24, 10:23 AM

If you use the Actiontec purely as a conversion device for coaxial and ethernet, no. If you use the Actiontec to handle your internet and TV service, yes.

willise · 2012-05-27, 09:52 AM

OK,

I'm sold.

I currently have a Netgear WNDR3700 feeding all of my computers, while the Actiontec provides TV service. I also have a Linksys 310N that I use to access my StrongVPN account when I need it.

I going to order the Asus (can't find it in Moncton) and this will be my plan:

1. use the Netgear (with DD-WRT) to create a wireless client bridge so I can have better coverage throughout the house.

2. Connect the Asus and the Netgear using the 5.0 band for better performance.

3. run my Linksys from the Netgear to connect to StrongVPN.

Any problems forseen in this setup before I begin??

Thanks!!

acadian33 · 2012-05-27, 10:43 AM

Ordered mine last week. Can't wait to get it and set it up

sgu222e · 2012-05-27, 08:01 PM

I might be a tad crazy, but Aliant has changed my ip multiple times this month... makes it a tad difficult to maintain the ipv6 tunnel.

habskilla · 2012-05-28, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgu222e

I might be a tad crazy, but Aliant has changed my ip multiple times this month... makes it a tad difficult to maintain the ipv6 tunnel.

You're not going crazy. Mine changed 3 times after having the same IP for almost a year.

file · 2012-05-28, 08:49 AM

Mine has changed once, to a PPPoE DSL IP address.

What I suspect is happening is that as customers migrate away from DSL they are reassigning blocks to FibreOP. This requires configuration changes which may result in a DHCP server restart, causing folks to get new IPs. Although to be pedantic, as I usually am, the getting new IPs part is due to the way their DHCP server is setup (it probably doesn't store state on-disk so when you try to get your old IP address it says no! and gives you a new one).

OMC2011 · 2012-05-28, 06:38 PM

I have been losing my connection about three times per week this month. Finally ordered the asus on the weekend. Had gone about 3 months without any issues but now it is happening all the time. Not sure if I should pass through to my linksys router or just use the asus for everything. I will see once it arrives.

angus.black · 2012-05-28, 10:25 PM

Hi file. Thanks for the excellent work you've done with the ASUS router.
I've read the first 13 pages of the thread. Only another 21 to go.

Most of the detailed info is beyond my understanding but flashing router firmware is something I can handle. You also give good instructions.

I found the thread when searching for a way to separate my internal LAN traffic from the Fibre TV traffic. I don't seem to have a problem with Internet traffic interfering with the TV but if I transfer large files between PCs on my LAN it causes dropped audio and pixelated video on the TV.
I am currently using the stock ActionTec router and an ASUS RT-N16 as a wireless AP, Ethernet switch and USB NAS. I installed Tomato USB firmware on the ASUS.
The only draw back I've seen with your solution is that it seems I would have to run dedicated Ethernet to each STB and another dedicated run for LAN. Is that correct?
I currently have a switch at each STB so I can connect a PS3 and a WDTV box.

DirectCanada has the ASUS RT-N56U on for $116.48 and I don't mind buying one if that's what I need. I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do to reduce my LAN interference using the hardware I have.

BTW, I am also from Riverview. A 2 minute walk from the Fox. Come on over, I'll buy you a beer while you set this up.

file · 2012-05-29, 07:56 AM

Yes, you must have separate runs for TV and data. Failing to do so will result in the world exploding and would make quite a few people upset. That being said I have toyed with making a small tweak to the firmware that would allow data and TV to be concurrently used over port 4, but still separate (it would be exposing VLANs over it). This would require a router at each location you would want to use data at, to take the VLANs out into individual ports. Something like a WRT54G with dd-wrt firmware. I worry though that guaranteeing QoS of the VLANs would be problematic, so if you saturated the data side the TV side would suffer. It is on my list to experiment with but there is only so much time in the day.

As for setting up I am confident you can do it yourself. I've made it as easy as possible, but drinking while doing so is recommended.

FuzzFace · 2012-05-29, 11:05 AM

I've been having trouble with dropped connections every couple of days and poor wireless signal with my actiontec, just found a n56u locally at staples for 136, so tempted to go buy one.

angus.black · 2012-05-29, 05:38 PM

I don't want to be responsible for world destruction.
I can run the WDTV and PS3 through wireless. I had them set up that way before and they worked fine.
I have 4 TV connections but only two STBs so far so a 4 port switch connected to port 4 of the ASUS N56U would be fine.
All of my desktop computers are in the same room as the router anyway. Laptops can use wireless.
Now, back to page 14.

binarymelon · 2012-05-31, 05:38 PM

Is there any special setup required when using the ActionTec as a eth-coax convertor? I just plugged port 4 into the WAN port and I'm getting just getting signal lost at the STB.

2012-05-27, 10:43 AM	#501
acadian33 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Moncton, NB (Aliant TV FiberOP) Posts: 88	Ordered mine last week. Can't wait to get it and set it up __________________ http://gamercard.xbox.com/habsnator35.card

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2012-05-23, 08:10 PM	#497
habskilla Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 868	via the Trendnet TPA-311 adapter. But, if you don't want to purchase the Trendnet, you can still use the Actiontec to do the TV.

2012-05-24, 10:21 AM	#498
binarymelon Rookie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16	I'm assuming you would lose the performance benefits if you put the actiontec back into the mix?

2012-05-24, 10:23 AM	#499
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	If you use the Actiontec purely as a conversion device for coaxial and ethernet, no. If you use the Actiontec to handle your internet and TV service, yes.

2012-05-27, 09:52 AM	#500
willise Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 293	OK, I'm sold. I currently have a Netgear WNDR3700 feeding all of my computers, while the Actiontec provides TV service. I also have a Linksys 310N that I use to access my StrongVPN account when I need it. I going to order the Asus (can't find it in Moncton) and this will be my plan: 1. use the Netgear (with DD-WRT) to create a wireless client bridge so I can have better coverage throughout the house. 2. Connect the Asus and the Netgear using the 5.0 band for better performance. 3. run my Linksys from the Netgear to connect to StrongVPN. Any problems forseen in this setup before I begin?? Thanks!!

2012-05-27, 08:01 PM	#502
sgu222e Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 124	I might be a tad crazy, but Aliant has changed my ip multiple times this month... makes it a tad difficult to maintain the ipv6 tunnel.

2012-05-28, 08:49 AM	#504
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	Mine has changed once, to a PPPoE DSL IP address. What I suspect is happening is that as customers migrate away from DSL they are reassigning blocks to FibreOP. This requires configuration changes which may result in a DHCP server restart, causing folks to get new IPs. Although to be pedantic, as I usually am, the getting new IPs part is due to the way their DHCP server is setup (it probably doesn't store state on-disk so when you try to get your old IP address it says no! and gives you a new one).

2012-05-28, 06:38 PM	#505
OMC2011 Rookie Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Riverview NB Posts: 20	I have been losing my connection about three times per week this month. Finally ordered the asus on the weekend. Had gone about 3 months without any issues but now it is happening all the time. Not sure if I should pass through to my linksys router or just use the asus for everything. I will see once it arrives.

2012-05-28, 10:25 PM	#506
angus.black Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 41	Hi file. Thanks for the excellent work you've done with the ASUS router. I've read the first 13 pages of the thread. Only another 21 to go. Most of the detailed info is beyond my understanding but flashing router firmware is something I can handle. You also give good instructions. I found the thread when searching for a way to separate my internal LAN traffic from the Fibre TV traffic. I don't seem to have a problem with Internet traffic interfering with the TV but if I transfer large files between PCs on my LAN it causes dropped audio and pixelated video on the TV. I am currently using the stock ActionTec router and an ASUS RT-N16 as a wireless AP, Ethernet switch and USB NAS. I installed Tomato USB firmware on the ASUS. The only draw back I've seen with your solution is that it seems I would have to run dedicated Ethernet to each STB and another dedicated run for LAN. Is that correct? I currently have a switch at each STB so I can connect a PS3 and a WDTV box. DirectCanada has the ASUS RT-N56U on for $116.48 and I don't mind buying one if that's what I need. I'm just wondering if there's anything I can do to reduce my LAN interference using the hardware I have. BTW, I am also from Riverview. A 2 minute walk from the Fox. Come on over, I'll buy you a beer while you set this up.

2012-05-29, 07:56 AM	#507
file Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 766	Yes, you must have separate runs for TV and data. Failing to do so will result in the world exploding and would make quite a few people upset. That being said I have toyed with making a small tweak to the firmware that would allow data and TV to be concurrently used over port 4, but still separate (it would be exposing VLANs over it). This would require a router at each location you would want to use data at, to take the VLANs out into individual ports. Something like a WRT54G with dd-wrt firmware. I worry though that guaranteeing QoS of the VLANs would be problematic, so if you saturated the data side the TV side would suffer. It is on my list to experiment with but there is only so much time in the day. As for setting up I am confident you can do it yourself. I've made it as easy as possible, but drinking while doing so is recommended.

2012-05-29, 11:05 AM	#508
FuzzFace Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Maryland, NB Posts: 293	I've been having trouble with dropped connections every couple of days and poor wireless signal with my actiontec, just found a n56u locally at staples for 136, so tempted to go buy one.

2012-05-29, 05:38 PM	#509
angus.black Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Riverview, NB Posts: 41	I don't want to be responsible for world destruction. I can run the WDTV and PS3 through wireless. I had them set up that way before and they worked fine. I have 4 TV connections but only two STBs so far so a 4 port switch connected to port 4 of the ASUS N56U would be fine. All of my desktop computers are in the same room as the router anyway. Laptops can use wireless. Now, back to page 14.

2012-05-31, 05:38 PM	#510
binarymelon Rookie Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 16	Is there any special setup required when using the ActionTec as a eth-coax convertor? I just plugged port 4 into the WAN port and I'm getting just getting signal lost at the STB.