On 2021-11-08, Laurence Perkins <lperk...@openeye.net> wrote: >>The fiber is undoubtedly terminated at an ONT which has an RJ45 jack >>which then needs to be connected to what the ISP usually calls "A >>Modem". That "modem" is generally a firewall/router and WAP. >> >>The exact Ethernet protocols used on that RJ45 connection to the >>"modem" varie. Some do PPPoE, some just need some sort of >>authenticating DHCP client, so do other stuff. > > Yes, that would make far more sense. A bit disappointing though if > they couldn't just tell him the authentication protocol to use...
It's quite possible that the installer doesn't even know. It took quite a bit of digging around the QWest web site to find out what's required to "use your own modem" with the ONTs they install around here for residential fiber service. None of the usual documentation they provided even mentions the ONT or the connection between the ONT and the "modem". I suspected it was PPPoE, but I finally found one site that said to use your own modem, it needed to support a specific DHCP extension for authentication. I have tried to order the service a couple times in the past 6 months when I was notified that it was available at my address. The first time, I was just told it wasn't available at my address yet. It was available across the street. It was available on my side of the street a few doors in both directions. It wasn't available for me. The next time I was notified it was available, I called the number in the notification e-mail to try to find out the actual cost (including taxes and fees). I was told that the only way to find that out was to enter an actual order in the system — but the system refused to allow an order to be entered for my address. After the QWest guy messed around for a while, he told me that service for my address was handled by a "special team". I would have to hang up and then call that team directly at <some phone number>. I haven't gotten around to making a third attempt... -- Grant
