This past weekend I setup my Fios service to work with my own router. The below guide should walk you through how to setup your Fios Quantum router with your own router. For my home setup, I have 3 Google Wifis in a mesh. Off of the main Google Wifi (router) I have a switch with a number of Smarthome devices plugged in. I wanted my set top boxes (STBs) to show up on my network because they have built-in Chromecast support.

First, you need to place your Fios Router into bridge mode then you need to configure port forwarding on your new router so that your DVR service will work. Before we get started here is the list of devices that you will need to have:

  • Fios Optical Network Terminal (ONT) - Converts fiber to ethernet at your house.
  • Fios Quantum Gateway - Fios Quantum Hardware Version 1.04
  • Google Wifi Routers
  • Netgear 16 Port Gigabit Switch
  • DVR Set Top Box - Fios Branded Model Number VMS4100/Z216/0712/1000
  • Set Top Box - Fios Branded Model Number ``

Note: This architecture is not supported by Verizon. I recommend you have decent networking knowledge to configure this setup.

When we are done configuring our network the final architecture will look like the following diagram. All IP Addresses will be allocated by the Google Wifi router so that your phone can connect to the Fios boxes from Chromecast, DVR, etc.

Fios Network Architecture

Step 0: Homework

Before getting started we need to collect a few pieces of information. This requires that your existing network is configured using the Fios Quantum Gateway.

  1. Plug an ethernet cable from your computer directly into your Fios Router (or connect to the Fios Wifi). Navigate to https://myfiosgateway.com or https://192.168.1.1.
  2. Navigate to Firewall. You will be prompted, click Yes. Then click Port Forwarding. You should see rules for each of your STBs. Mine had 4 rules listed. Take a screenshot or write these rules down. You should see external ports 35000, 35001, and up (one for each of our STBs) along with a UDP port. My UDP port was 63145. Match the IP addresses to the devies list found on the Fios Router home page. I created a table to track. The IP Address of the box isn’t important except for matching as our new router will issue new IPs.
Set Top Box Protocol External Port Internal Port
Family Room DVR TCP 35000 7547
Family Room DVR UDP 63145 63145
Master Bedroom STB TCP 35001 7547

Step 1: Place Fios Router in Bridge Mode

In order for our Fios STBs to be visible on our network, we need to place the Fios Router in Bridge mode so that it will pass through IP addresses to the STBs via the Coax connection. Follow these steps to place the Quantum Router into bridge mode:

  1. Plug an ethernet cable from your computer directly into your Fios Router. Navigate to https://myfiosgateway.com or https://192.168.1.1.
  2. Navigate to Wireless and under Basic Wireless Settings (wording may vary based on firmware) turn off the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi networks. Then click apply.
  3. Navigate to Wireless and under Advanced Wireless Settings (wording may vary based on firmware) disable the SSID broadcast for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz wifi networks. Then click apply.
  4. Navigate to Firewall. You will be prompted, click Yes. Under IPV4 and IPV6 settings set BOTH to Minimum Security. Then click apply.
  5. Navigate to My Network and then click Network Connections, then Advanced. Disable the 5.0GHz Wireless Access Point 1 and 2.4GHz Wireless Access Point 1 networks by clicking Settings, then disable, then click apply. (You will do this once for each of the networks).
  6. Still on the Network Connections page click Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax). Scroll down and uncheck the Internet Connection Firewall box. Then click apply.
  7. Still on the Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax) page. Click Release next to the IP address. Then click apply.
  8. Still on the Broadband Connection (Ethernet/Coax) page. Next to Internet Protocol change this box to No IP Address. Then click apply.
  9. Back on the Network Connections page click Network (Home/Office), then hit Settings. Change the IP Address from 192.168.1.1 to an IP Address within your Google Wifi network range. I chose 192.168.86.59. This will prevent IP conflicts. Under the Bridge section, uncheck the Wireless Access points. Check Broadband Connection Ethernet/Coax) and leave Coax checked. Then change IP Address Distribution to Disabled. Then click apply. You know you have the settings correct if you get a prompt confirming you want to put your Router into Bridge mode. Things may stop working at this point.

Step 2: Wire Up The Network

Now that we have our Fios router configured for bridge mode it is time to wire everything up.

  1. Unplug the Ethernet cable from the ONT (outside) to Fios Router and plug the Ethernet cable into the Google Wifi. Restart the Google Wifi.
  2. Navigate to the Google Wifi App and under the WAN settings you should see a public IP address allocated. If you don’t, give it some time. If you don’t after 15 minutes, ensure you released the IP address in Step 1.
  3. Wire an ethernet cable from your Switch to one of the LAN ports on the Fios Router. This will enable the STBs to appear on the network. At this step, restart your Fios router. Once it is restarted, unplug your STBs and replug them in. You will need to use the remote to force them to connect to the network.
  4. Within the Google Wifi app you should now see new devices called (fios- the name of the box. In my case, they were called Family Room and Master Bedroom.)

Step 3: Configure Port Forwarding

Finally, we need to configure port forwarding so that our DVR service works properly. Note: different models of STBs require different ports. Refer to the “pre-work” before getting started.

Fios requires a TCP port to be opened for each box and a UDP port opened your DVR to enable service. My boxes operate over 7547. This will vary by

Device Protocol External Port Internal Port Description
Family Room DVR TCP 35000 7547 This must be connected to the main DVR in the home. All other devices will connect to this device. This also enables the mobile application to connect and control the TV.
Family Room DVR UDP 63145 63145 This enables streaming recorded shows from your DVR to your mobile devices.
Master Bedroom STB TCP 35001 7547 This enables connections to your set top box. For additional set top boxes, increment the external port number by one.

Troubleshooting

If you have any issues, you can reset the Fios Quantum Gateway using a paperclip or pen. Reconnect the gateway to your ONT and run through the steps again.

Conclusion

Your STBs should now be able to startup and connect to the network and you should be able to stream/connect to your STBs from your phone.