So Mom gave me a MoCa project and I'm stumped...

[Currently Studying]

Hello everyone. I am kind of new around here, and new to networking in general. From these forums and Reddit I was able to learn how to install Merlin on my AX86U Pro with Skynet and Diversion. Thanks to everyone's posts here that helped me get my AX86U Pro setup and running well with all the goodies. I learned a lot and I want to learn more.

Now a new project has landed in my lap from a family member and I am asking for help with this because my first two attempts did not work and I am not sure why. I don't remember how I set it up the first two times, but I have a new idea listed below.

The basic starting condition was Spectrum Internet connected by coax to a EN2251 Modem. This was connected to the 2.5Gbit port on the Asus AX11000 Router. I set that up and everything runs perfectly. However, the house is too big for this router and my relative ordered a ECB7250 starter kit, which came with two adapters, cables and splitters. She also bought three PoE Filters. She said "Here's another networking project for you" and I was happy to help. I was left confused as the initial setup attempts didn't work, so I put the network back the way I found it and got it up and running as before - so that I can humbly ask this community to explain how I should set this up and offer any insights.

Here's my new idea for the layout, please correct me if anything is wrong:

It is my understanding (now that I've read more) that I should: Wall Coax -> MoCa Adapter -> EN2251 Modem -> AX11000 At this point I should power up the MoCa and Modem, then the router. Once all the lights are on, I install the second MoCa Adapter in the far back room: Wall Coax -> MoCa -> PC. Power up the second adapter, wait for the lights and then power up the PC and test.

Final note, I've have also read that the EN2251 might have issues with MoCa and I would need a PoE filter but I have no idea where to put it. My best guess is in the main room in between the wall and modem?

Any help is appreciated. She is still in the time window to return the MoCa adapters and get a second router. Cost is a factor in this, she can't afford much more for this, except minor expenses.

Thanks in advance. I appreciate it a lot, and my Mom will too.

 

[Currently Studying]

As I read that post it sounds wrong because the Modem needs a Coax IN and sends Ethernet OUT. The MoCa devices only have one of each port. Honestly stumped, lol.

 

[tgl]

No, leave the incoming spectrum -> modem -> ASUS router wiring alone. What you want to do is connect some LAN port of the router to a MoCA adapter (with ethernet cable), plug the MoCA adapter into some coax that's in the house walls, plug the other MoCA adapter into the other end of that coax cable, plug that adapter's ethernet port to the PC or whatever device you need at the far end. Now you have the equivalent of a long ethernet cable from the router's LAN port to the PC.

The ideal situation here is that you have an identifiable coax cable that goes between the two points you need, has no other connections, and is not being used anymore for TV signals. If it is being used for TV, that's not fatal, but then you need signal splitters (those "PoE filters") to separate the TV and ethernet signals. The fly in the ointment is that in a pre-existing house it's frequently very hard to tell what is connected where and whether there are multiple cables connected via splitters. You might get away with not knowing the details if you only need the one MoCA pair and the entire house's coax plant is idle. Otherwise it's time for some sleuthing.

 

[krkaufman]

Spectrum Internet connected by coax to a EN2251 Modem

You’ll need an extra 70+ dB MoCA filter on the cable modem, as a prophylactic, to protect the modem from MoCA signals. This “prophylactic” MoCA filter should be installed directly on the cable modem or on the splitter output port directly feeding the modem.

Of course, the extra “prophylactic” MoCA filter only matters once you have a working MoCA link. More critically, your plan lacks the 2-way splitter at the modem/router location to get both the cable modem and MoCA adapter connected to the room’s coax wall outlet; and also lacks any discussion of the coax junction, getting the locations interconnected via MoCA-compatible components and a “PoE” MoCA filter properly installed to secure the setup.

See:

• outline/highlights for a cable+MoCA setup

Example diagram:

 

[Currently Studying]

No, leave the incoming spectrum -> modem -> ASUS router wiring alone. What you want to do is connect some LAN port of the router to a MoCA adapter (with ethernet cable), plug the MoCA adapter into some coax that's in the house walls, plug the other MoCA adapter into the other end of that coax cable, plug that adapter's ethernet port to the PC or whatever device you need at the far end. Now you have the equivalent of a long ethernet cable from the router's LAN port to the PC.

The ideal situation here is that you have an identifiable coax cable that goes between the two points you need, has no other connections, and is not being used anymore for TV signals. If it is being used for TV, that's not fatal, but then you need signal splitters (those "PoE filters") to separate the TV and ethernet signals. The fly in the ointment is that in a pre-existing house it's frequently very hard to tell what is connected where and whether there are multiple cables connected via splitters. You might get away with not knowing the details if you only need the one MoCA pair and the entire house's coax plant is idle. Otherwise it's time for some sleuthing.

Thank you for taking the time to help. I'll post progress this evening

 

[Currently Studying]

You’ll need an extra 70+ dB MoCA filter on the cable modem, as a prophylactic, to protect the modem from MoCA signals. This “prophylactic” MoCA filter should be installed directly on the cable modem or on the splitter output port directly feeding the modem.

Of course, the extra “prophylactic” MoCA filter only matters once you have a working MoCA link. More critically, your plan lacks the 2-way splitter at the modem/router location to get both the cable modem and MoCA adapter connected to the room’s coax wall outlet; and also lacks any discussion of the coax junction, getting the locations interconnected via MoCA-compatible components and a “PoE” MoCA filter properly installed to secure the setup.

See:

• outline/highlights for a cable+MoCA setup

Example diagram:
View attachment 63531

Okay, those PoE filters need to be placed before a connection goes to the Modem and every time it gets split, that's what I think I see here. I have three of them. Mom must have planned ahead.