Frontier internet and Moca

[kps246]

I recently got Frontier fiber internet installed. The tech installed a FCA252 (set to 25GW), and connected it to my Deco
X75 Pro mesh system. I don't have cable TV any more, so I want to set up a wired internet utilizing a Moca connection.
I looked inside the ONT box, and there is not another Moca adapter in it. There is a light on the unit that's labeled Moca,
so I'm assuming it's built in. I bought 4 FCA252 adapters and hooked them up. I used a 2 way splitter and ran one to my X75,
and set the switch to LAN. I installed the others at 3 other locations. All the lights are on except the Moca light on the FCA252
that's connected to the X75. I have no wired connection at this point. I have a POE filter, but haven't installed it yet. Any ideas
on what I've done wrong?

 

[krkaufman]

All the lights are on except the Moca light on the FCA252 that's connected to the X75.

Quick guess … this would indicate that there is a direct coax connection between the ONT and router location, but that the rest of your coax locations are interconnected via a splitter isolated from the ONT/router connection. (Or possibly a misplaced MoCA filter.)

The ONT coax needs to feed the input port of your distribution splitter, with the router location’s coax added as an output — replacing or supplementing the splitter, as needed. A MoCA filter would offer some performance benefit installed on the input port of the first splitter encountered by the ONT coax line.

Example diagram:



(Of course, the add’l FCA252[25GW] adapter at the ONT would be skipped if your ONT supports the custom MoCA WAN frequency natively.)

edit: p.s. I’m assuming all the FCA252 adapters used for the MoCA LAN have been set to their “LAN” configuration setting.

 

[kps246]

There's an access panel in my garage I'll have to get into. I do remember him unhooking something in there. I'll have to move a bunch of stuff to get to it. I'll do that tomorrow and get back to you. I'll take some pictures also.

 

[kps246]

Yes, all FCA252's are in the LAN position.

 

[kps246]

Here's the pictures from my access box. The original setup was a 2 way splitter
into the 4 way splitter. Looks to me like he has bypassed my whole coax system and just connected to 1 coax which goes to the office where the router is, which is right behind the panel. I also see the splitters aren't Moca compatible. Do I just need to replace the splitters and then unhook the ones he has barreled together and reconnect them to the 2 way splitter?

 

[krkaufman]

Do I just need to replace the splitters and then unhook the ones he has barreled together and reconnect them to the 2 way splitter?

That's the basics of it...

The ONT coax needs to feed the input port of your distribution splitter, with the router location’s coax added as an output — replacing or supplementing the splitter, as needed. A MoCA filter would offer some performance benefit installed on the input port of the first splitter encountered by the ONT coax line.

... though I recommend right-sizing the MoCA-compatible splitter -- sized to only connect the required lines -- as well as, as diagrammed, adding a MoCA filter to the splitter's input port to improve the MoCA LAN network efficiency. (The MoCA WAN network, operating at 400-900 MHz, will slip through the MoCA filter, as the filter is spec'd to block Band D [1125-1675 MHz] MoCA signals.)

• MoCA-compatible splitter recommendations (… and warnings)
• preferred MoCA filter: PPC GLP-1G70CWWS (Amazon US listing) … 70 dB stop-band attenuation, spec’d for full MoCA Ext. Band D range, 1125-1675 MHz

That said, short-term, you could probably get it working using just the 4-way splitter,, given you only have 3 MoCA adapters available for the MoCA LAN (AP + 2 remote nodes = 3 distribution splitter outputs; capping the unused output port w/ a 75-ohm terminator).
.

 

[kps246]

Thanks for your help. I'll have to order the splitters from Amazon. I only have 5 coax outlets in my house, so all the runs should be homeruns with no hidden splitters. I'll let you know how it works out when i get it put back together.

 

[krkaufman]

Here's the pictures from my access box. ... just connected to 1 coax which goes to the office where the router is, which is right behind the panel.

Looks like you have a few network-capable Cat5+ lines in that cabinet, as well, though currently connected for landline use (likely incoming telephone service line + 2 outlets). Something to keep in mind depending on where the phone jacks are located (where the Cat5+ lines run), and where you want wired networking. The media panel being near the Office should allow for additional lines, if needed, to link the lines to your router LAN.

• central Cat5+ termination highlights/outline
• Before and After example

.

 

[krkaufman]

Thanks for your help. I'll have to order the splitters from Amazon. I only have 5 coax outlets in my house, so all the runs should be homeruns with no hidden splitters. I'll let you know how it works out when i get it put back together.

p.s. Added a post-edit comment ... that you should be able to get your MoCA LAN setup working w/ just the current 4-way (or probably even with the 2 splitters connected as pictured), though at lower efficiency (requiring more power to boost MoCA signals) and possibly with degraded throughput. Then just replace the components once the MoCA-optimized bits arrive.

p.s. If the splitter used isn't right-sized, any unused, inactive lines should be capped w/ a 75-ohm terminator.

 

[kps246]

Yes, that's for landline phone which I don't have. I think there's only 2 in the house.

 

[kps246]

I have a pretty good wireless system that I'll continue to use until the components get here. I live in Florida in a concrete block house. The router is not centrally located, so streaming can be spotty, especially in the evening hours. Want the wired connection for a more stable signal.

 

[kps246]

I got everything put together, and it's up and running smoothly.
Thanks for your help, and your diagram. Very informative and easy to understand.

 

[krkaufman]

Thanks for circling back with feedback. Good to hear when things work like they’re supposed to.

 

[kps246]

Just thought I'd update you on what I ended up doing. I have a TP-Link x75 by each TV. I ran the ethernet cable from the FCA252 to my X75, I then ran another ethernet to a 1 gig USB ethernet adapter, then to an OTG cable, then to a Firestick. I am getting a consistent 340- 360mbps on all my TV'S (4), and have a super hard wired wifi system also. Thanks again.

 

[kps246]

The second ethernet cable went from the X75 to the USB gigabyte adapter.

 

[krkaufman]

OTG cable,

Had to look that one up. So a USB form factor adapter, basically? And the 340-360 Mbps is about all the Firestick can do, right?

Sounds great. Thanks for the feedback; hope you have some time to enjoy it…

 

[kps246]

Tes, that's about thd best a Firestick can do.
OTG cable is the only way to hardwire one.