Reccomendations to change TRUE Router

[Forkinhades]

As title

True have provided a 'multiplex' coaxial cable to a Technicolor TC7200.TH2v2 router. Which is their version of fiber. How they can get fiber speeds down a coaxial is a bit of a mystery to me.

Anyway I want to change the router, any suggestions please.

[gerry123]

I don't know for sure but it's probably like radio. All those radio stations are broadcasting in what's really a pretty small part of the radio spectrum, but we are still able to tune in what we want.

I'd be willing to bet that your cable and internet works on a similar principle. And remember that cable tv is hundreds of channels. Some you get and some you don't get. I would imagine that what you are able to receive is controlled by a signal instructing the computer inside your cable box what to decode and what to ignore.

Your internet connection is just one of those signals coming into your house that your modem can decode.

this is cut and paste just thought it might help

[Pib]

I expect you really have DOCSIS (cable) internet plan which True now advertises as Fiber Cable. The really shouldn't put "fiber" in the name since the internet signal is riding on True cable/internet trunk line in your area...and then the final 75 or so meters to your residence is via a TV coaxial cable. Maybe way upstream the cable TV/internet trunk line hooks into a fiber optics trunk so True using "fiber" in the advertisement has a minute bit of truth about it. Plus, fiber is a "marketing buzz word" people like to hear because they relate faster speed to fiber optics.

I see True lists the cable router you mentioned on their support webpage under the DOCSIS area. A DOCSIS cable modem/router is married to the True system via MAC and S/N....similar to how True TV setup boxes are married to their system via box MAC/SN and subscription card. It's not like going out and buying a replacement ADSL modem/router which are not married to the ADSL/phone line.

If you want another DOCSIS moden/router you'll have to talk to True/get it from True...and unless you absolutely need a certain capability that your current router does not have you'll probably be pissing into the wind in trying to get a different router from True. And I think the DOCSIS router you have now is True's top of the line router. I'm going to guess you are on a 30Mb or higher plan which usually gets that router vs the Cisco or Thomson router usually used for lower speed plans.

Regarding speeds down a coax....the True DOCSIS system is capable of speeds of up to 200Mb...well, actually up to 400Mb but they only put out plans to 200Mb for the retail user. Coax can carry very high speeds using DOCSIS technology.

[NanLaew]

Further to Pib's comments, note that the full model number you have supplied is TC7200.TH2v2. Those last digits would indicate a level of vendor-specific manufacturers preparation of the generic TC7200, ie. firmware or hardware that is factory configured to TRUE's specifications or requirements.

Despite different transmission technologies, ADSL routers that come bundled with (for example) 3BB or CAT internet service are also sometimes preconfigured to the customer's (the ISP's not your) requirements. The usual step for securing this pre-configuration from tampering is to change the setup username/password combination from admin/admin to something less generic.

You may be lucky and someone here may have gone down the 'upgrade' road before, has all the details and can even recommend a router. BTW, the cable broadband service I have in the US uses coax for end-point distribution. It is impractical and probably prohibitively expensive to provide domestic f/o outlets.

[Forkinhades]

Thanks guys, excellent replies.

I wanted an 8 port router for some ip cameras, so I guess I will just buy an access point, and plug that into an existing port.

I'm can't see any issues with that?

[NanLaew]

Thanks guys, excellent replies.

I wanted an 8 port router for some ip cameras, so I guess I will just buy an access point, and plug that into an existing port.

I'm can't see any issues with that?

If you have worked with ip cameras before, you will be familiar with port forwarding and other setup and access issues. It's been a couple of years since I was mucking about with ip cams and some routers were better than others when it came to being user friendly. It may easier these days but I would still check for any information specific to using ip cams and Technicolor routers.

[Forkinhades]

Well an TRUE engineer called, with a different matter, so I took advantage whilst he was here.

Told him I wanted an 8 port router, he said go to 'tukcom', I replied, but need a multiplex router. Blank stare and conversation getting difficult now. So I showed him the TRUE router, and my old DLink router which I used for 3BB. He just smiled powered up the DLink router, used an RJ45 port from the TRUE router, plugged into the DLink, changed the network address to 192.168.2.1, on the DLink and now I have 2 networks! and more coverage with the wifi, but more importantly I have 3 more wired ports for my IP cameras!!

Yes I took his number as well :)

[Pib]

I use my True DOCSIS Wife router in a similar way. I live in a two story concrete house and the True Wifi router is upstairs in the master bedroom where the coax comes through the wall. Getting "strong" reception on the entire first floor was not possible...had weak signal reception in some locations downstairs....just too much concrete floors and walls for the signal to get through; however, getting strong reception on the entire second floor was no problem (no thick concrete floor for the signal to fight through).

So, I ran a Ethernet cable from the True Wifi router upstairs to downstairs (out a window frame hole I bored, down the outside wall hidden behind a gutter downspout, in another window frame hole I drilled bored) and it hooks to a ASUS Wife Router/Access point. I have both the True and ASUS transmitting...my downstairs devices connect via Wifi to the ASUS router and my upstairs devices connect via Wifi to the True router. This way I get a "strong/five bars" connection on all my devices which results in a faster, better connection. Or if I want to I can have any device in the house connect to either router signal strength permitting, but I always have the connection go to the one with the strongest signal.

This two Wifi router setup also doubles the number of Ethernet ports from 4 to 8....way more than I need for the couple of devices I do hook-up via Ethernet vs Wifi.

Edited April 7, 2015 by Pib