NBN HFC Home Wiring Setup Question

Lmushroomgod123 on 15/04/2019 - 00:54
Last edited 23/04/2019 - 21:37

I am to get NBN HFC connection in about a months time. Been doing a lot of reading online and it seems the connection comes through a box they put outside your house and then is connected to a coaxial point of your choice in the house and they will supply an NBN modem with it.

My current setup at home is adsl2+, internet comes through the phone line and I have it connected to a TP link VR600 modem/router and then to a patch panel which then supplies wired ethernet connection up to 8 ports in my house. One of the port in particular I have connected to a Orbi in AP mode, to provide wifi throughout the house.

So with NBN HFC, the connection comes through the chosen coaxial point, to the NBN modem supplied, I am guessing I connect through ethernet to the WAN port of Orbi (set in router mode) this will give me wifi throughout the house. However, am I able to then connect through the ethernet ports on my Orbi to a wall jack, figure out which port it comes to on the patch panel (ie. port 1), then connect a gigabit switch to that port, then connect all the remaining ports on the switch to the remain ports on the patch panel (ie. port 2-8) to get ethernet connection throughout the house as I have right now?

Bit confusing, just trying to figure out how I'll still get wired connection throughout the house and not soley rely on wifi.

Thanks!

I've added a diagram
https://imgur.com/02Gfy9n

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2019 - 04:58
    +1

    NBN HFC provides a connection box that converts the coaxial line to ethernet. You then connect to your own modem/router.
    https://www.tpg.com.au/support/setup-nbn-hfc/modem-wiring-su…

    • mushroomgod123 on 15/04/2019 - 08:50

      Thanks, I thought the connection box they gave you acted as a modem. But thats fine just one extra device in between. I'll be using Orbi as router.

      • John Kimble on 15/04/2019 - 08:53

        They give you a cable modem

      • yippy on 15/04/2019 - 09:00

        They're going to install a box outside your house that the HFC cable from the pole or underground is connected to, then they'll pull a line in from there to wherever is easiest for them to do, or you might get lucky and have someone that won't mind putting the plate where you want it. The modem is then connected to the wall plate and you connect your router or the one your ISP supplies to the modem.

        • mushroomgod123 on 15/04/2019 - 09:08

          So they put in a new plate? They don't use any of my existing coaxial points?

          They have already put a box outside the house on the other end of my garage, would be pretty stupid if they put a new plate on the inside of that position since it's so far from literally anything

          • yippy on 15/04/2019 - 09:15

            @mushroomgod123: If you've already got the box outside they'll just pull a cable from that box to where ever is easiest for them. The contractors are paid per job so they don't like to spend much time doing it but you might get lucky and get a decent installer who doesn't mind getting the cable where you want it.

            When I had my NBN HFC install done 2 years ago I just got the bloke to follow the Optus cable line and he put the NBN plate next to the old Optus Cable plate.

            If you previously had Telstra cable or Foxtel they can just use those plates.

            • dcep on 15/04/2019 - 10:02

              @yippy: if already have telstra cable plate at ground floor, can ask them to pull new cabling and plate to 1st floor instead ?

              • whooah1979 on 15/04/2019 - 10:13

                @dcep: OP may ask and the subbie may refuse.

                Remember that some of these guys have minimum training. They may start drilling holes in places where they shouldn't and then patch them up in a mess.

              • yippy on 15/04/2019 - 10:31

                @dcep: I doubt they would do it, they're all about whatever is fastest and easiest for them. When I had mine done the first thing the contractor asked me was If I had Telstra cable or Foxtel. When I told him no, he got a bit upset as it meant he had to pull a new cable into the house.

                • John Kimble on 15/04/2019 - 10:32

                  @yippy: Got upset because he had to lay cable 🤭

            • mushroomgod123 on 15/04/2019 - 10:49

              @yippy: I guess it's fingers crossed I get someone decent when the time comes :/

            • mitch01 on 15/04/2019 - 14:03

              @yippy: I think they decided not to run NBN on the Optus network because it wasn't fit for purpose. Maybe they fed a new line from the Telstra HFC network meaning new plate?

              • yippy on 15/04/2019 - 14:15

                @mitch01: They only use the Telstra HFC cables for HFC NBN and the installer did feed a new Telstra line from the telegraph pole to my house. It's just that the they want to do the minimal amount of work for each install as they get paid the same rate regardless of how easy or difficult the install is. In my case he had to pull a new line from the pole, install the NBN box to the side of the house then run another line into the house. Hence the cranky installer.

                • whooah1979 on 15/04/2019 - 14:31

                  @yippy: Aerial drops get paid per span while underground construction is per metre.

            • whooah1979 on 15/04/2019 - 09:41

              @John Kimble: That internal wiring was a dodgy job. The subbie should've used telco conduits all the way to outlet.

  • ESEMCE on 15/04/2019 - 07:42
    +2

    You'll need to ethernet from the Modem to your router, otherwise everything else stays the same as now.

    Get NBN to install the Modem next to your Patch Panel.

    • mushroomgod123 on 15/04/2019 - 08:48

      I was thinking about that but there isn't a coaxial line there, plus it's in my garage in a metal box. I don't really want the orbi router there, since it wont fit and also won't be good for wifi.

      I guess my question is usually the connection comes through the phone line to patch panel to my wall jacks,but does it work backwards? If I have it come through coaxial line but then through the wall jack first to one port on patch panel then spread it to other ports on there with a switch.

      • macrocephalic on 15/04/2019 - 09:50

        I'm confused, and I think you are as well.

        If there's already a coax connection to your home then I think they will just use that (foxtel). If there's not a coax connection to your home then you should be able to get them to install it wherever suits. I would suggest getting the coax connection and cable modem installed as close as possible to the patch panel. Make sure the switch is in the cabinet with the patch panel.

        Basic config
        Street —> Coax cable —> Cable modem —> Switch —> 8x ethernet connections to whatever you want.

        If you want to continue using your old router:
        Street —> Coax cable —> Cable modem —> Router —> Switch —> 8x ethernet connections to whatever you want.

        • ESEMCE on 15/04/2019 - 10:38

          You'll always need a router in there. The HFC Modem I believe is just a modem, not a Modem/router.
          Without a router, you can only have one device connected (by ethernet)

          If NBN stick the modem in your shed, you ought to be able to use the phone wiring as a 100mbps Ethernet cable to your patch panel, to which you'll need to connect your router and then distribute to the rest of your network from the router.

          • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2019 - 09:06

            @ESEMCE: HFC connection box is not a HFC modem and will not work if connected to one device. Separate modem/router is required as your ISP internet connection details are stored there. Your ISP may supply you with a new modem/router. All depends on your ISP contract. If you move houses, the HFC connection box should remain with the original house.

            • ESEMCE on 16/04/2019 - 10:02
              +1

              @[Deactivated]: The NBN supplied HFC connection box is absolutely a modem.
              https://www.arris.com/products/touchstone-cm8200-cable-modem…

              Your ISP will supply a router if you choose to have one included in your plan , or you can supply your own.

              Should you wish, you are 100% able to connect to the NBN HFC Connection Box directly with a PC and connect to the Internet with no router by bridging your Ethernet port to the modem, just as you can with any other modem.

              • [Deactivated] on 16/04/2019 - 13:37

                @ESEMCE: Just to be clear. What you are saying is that you can connect one device such as a PC directly to the NBN HFC Connection Box and you will have internet access, even though your chosen ISP internet connection details are stored in your modem/router which is not connected?
                https://iihelp.iinet.net.au/General_NBN_HFC_modem_setup_advi…

                • ESEMCE on 16/04/2019 - 14:35

                  @[Deactivated]: Correct, You would need to input those same details into the Ethernet settings of your computer and your computer would have to remain physically tethered by Ethernet cable to the Modem.

                  Some ISP's like Aussie Broadband use DHCP authentication (ie none) and you could literally just plug your computer directly in with no setup whatsoever.
                  Not really advisable though as a router offers firewall protection for your devices.

  • orza on 15/04/2019 - 10:59

    mspaint diagram please

    • mushroomgod123 on 23/04/2019 - 20:30
      +1

      Sorry slow reply, been away for a few days.
      Not sure how to attach image on here, but I've uploaded a propsed setup that I'm talking about onto imgur.

      https://imgur.com/02Gfy9n

      Reason I don't want the new connection set beside current patch panel is beacause there is not much space and if I put the orbi router there the WIFI would be very bad.

      • ESEMCE on 24/04/2019 - 07:31

        Should be fine

      • orza on 24/04/2019 - 13:31

        Wow nice diagram! that's too professional for ozb though
        Looks good. However depending on your ISP they may require you to use their modem/router, which would sit in between the Arris modem and the Orbi. If you have a phone line this will also connect to the ISP modem.

        • ESEMCE on 24/04/2019 - 13:52

          The Arris is the Modem there is no ISP supplied modem option for HFC NBN.
          The only requirement to utilise an ISPs router might come if you buy VoIP service with them. (ie Telstra)
          And you could still do this by plugging the VoIP modem/router into the network through a WAN port set to DHCP.

          • orza on 24/04/2019 - 14:26

            @ESEMCE: ISP supplied equipment is typically a VDSL modem/router regardless of whether it's used as a modem or not. In the case of HFC yes agree it's only used as a router (and/or a VoIP adapter) and Arris is the modem.
            Also required for 4G backup if with Telstra or Vodafone. I have this connected immediately downstream of my HFC modem so my whole network is on backup.
            But fair enough, if no VoIP phone and no 4G then ISP modem/router shouldn't be required.

            • mushroomgod123 on 24/04/2019 - 16:37

              @orza: I'll probably be going with AussieBB. Have a phone line atm never had phone connected though, just mobile. So I should be good :D

              PS.my first diagram was so bad I couldn't read it myself lol had to redo it.

  • star-ggg on 15/04/2019 - 13:32

    You need to check with your RSP what your installation code is. If your job has been marked as having existing cable/foxtel then the job specification for the subbie is to put the NBN through that so yes they will be annoyed or can refuse to run a new cable. If your job is marked as not having an existing cable installation then they are paid to run a new cable to a location in consultation with you and within certain cable length limits.

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