Questions about Fios.

[bencho]

Hi,

I am a noob to FIOS. I just need some quick info that I cant seem to find...

1 - does FIOS use the regular cat5 cables used by regular cable modems?
2 - will regular cat5's support the higher speeds? or will i have upgrade to a higher level cable?
3 - i currently am using a cable modem hooked up to a Belkin Pre-N router, a Pre-N PCI wireless card, and a d-link PCI wireless card.. will those be able to function as well as the free router Verizon will provide? i.e. output/receive same speeds etc etc

thanks!

benCho--

[pfh]

Yes it uses the same cat5.

The install techs should be able to get you setup correctly but I can't answer definitively.  I do no for a fact that my old Lynksys router works as a hub in the upstairs of my house.  I connected the additional lan on the D-link to the uplink port on the lynksys and then connected two more computers to the lan ports on it.  In total I have 3 lan connections and occasionally 2 additional wireless lan connections= 5 computers sharing the fios feed from the D-link.

[NeoGreen]

You can pretty much use your pre existing hardware with Verizon FIOS.  The only expception would probably be your OS, for some reason if you are still running Win 98 you may have some problems.  It can still run but it will take some configuring.

[Tripredacus]

In some areas, installing the provided router is mandatory because it is used in support situations. The routers they are using now are ActionTEK G-Band routers, so they are a step below the one you have there. They changed up to G-Band because in some areas they offer a 50Mbps service (since G supports up to 54Mbps). There is no problem uplinking an existing router into the one provided with the install, otherwise you can just use the one that comes with it if you are not sure how to uplink the routers.

[CSOS]

You can use any roter you wish, the routers theysupply  are WAY OUT OF FIRMWARE DATE as far as  D-Link goes.
I have  two routers here besides theeir  dlink and the dlink 624 SUX its  all over the net.
I also have a  gigabit switch and also use a mac amongst many others.
All you gotta do is tell the router to use PPOE.