Can you plug the router directly into ONT?
For homes and offices, the fiber optic internet (also known as Fiber) has become a suitable choice. It’s because fiber is highly reliable, capable of extremely fast speeds, and not susceptible as other internet technologies to severe weather conditions.
Using fiber optic cables, the fiber optic internet carries digital information over long distances. It’s different from Ethernet but has a reliable internet connection.
In the fiber optic internet, the light beam travels down the core of the fiber-optic cables and bounces off the walls of the cable repeatedly. Due to this activity, a digital internet connection is carried across long distances of wire. One thing that makes everything travel fast in the fiber optic internet is the multiple fiber-optic strands of each wire.
With the use of fiber-optic cables, the fiber optic internet creates a passive optical network (PON) and transmits data between an internet service provider (ISP) and the devices in the home. Ethernet or coax comes into the picture when an optical network terminal (ONT) breaks the single optic signal into multiple signals, sending it to individual devices in the home. Fiber optic internet doesn’t connect directly to a local area network (LAN), unlike Ethernet or coax.
This is where the problem starts. People with third-party routers are unable to decide if the routers will be useful. They have a question if their routers will be connected to the ONT or if there will be other requirements to get online.
The answer to the question is you can connect your router to ONT, but not directly. You will connect your router to either an Ethernet port on the ONT or an Ethernet jack on the wall. The router will broadcast WiFi or you can connect devices via Ethernet cables. A gigabit Ethernet router with WiFi 5 or higher is recommended for the best performance.
What should you know to connect your router to ONT?
ONT is like a modem in fiber optic internet that is installed in one of a few places depending on your home or property type. The internet service provider checks and evaluates every detail before installing ONT. Due to differences in ONT installation location, the process of connecting your router with it becomes different. You cannot just follow a standard process and plug your router into ONT.
Installation locations and steps to plug-in routers
Inside the wall– If the ONT is placed in a bracket, mounted to the wall, and connected to power in areas like the living room or main room, follow the below steps.
- Check if ONT is plugged into power, following the lights should be solid green. The green light indicates that the ONT is working. If the light doesn’t turn, contact the fiber optic internet service provider.
- Look for the Ethernet cable visible from the ONT. If you don’t find the cables, remove the faceplate. Based on the ONT, the sliding or removing of the faceplate is different. Then, you should connect the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the ONT and re-attach the faceplate.
- Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the designated port of the router. The designated port name varies by the manufacturer so you should be very careful before connecting.
- Plug the power adapter of the router into the electrical wall outlet and then press the Power button. The light of the router will turn on, indicating that it is ready to use.
- Once the router is ON, you should set the network name and password. The password should be strong to avoid access to others.
Other than this, you should refer to the router’s manufacturer user guide for additional information..
Media panel– Also known as a smart panel, the media panel is an enclosed cabinet mounted to the wall, containing wiring and equipment. The common locations for the media panel are the laundry rooms and closets. The media panels usually have a shelf that is used to place the router.
The process to connect routers to ONT depends on the media panel type. For a plastic media panel, you should follow the steps discussed for “inside the wall”
For metal media panels, you should consider the following steps:
- Accessibility to ONT is a bit difficult in this structure. If you can access it, check if it is plugged into power and the solid green lights ON. This indicates that ONT is working. Contact your internet service provider if the solid green light doesn’t turn green.
- Take the Ethernet cable and connect it to the designated port on the router. The name of the designated port is different from the manufacturer. You should check the names carefully before connecting.
- The other end of the cable should be connected to an active Ethernet wall jack that is found inside. Just like ONT, the location of the designated Ethernet wall jacks varies by property type.
- Plug the power adapter of the router into the electrical wall outlet and then press the Power button. The light of the router will turn on, indicating that it is ready to use.
- Once the router is ON, you should set the network name and password. The password should be strong to avoid access to others.
Garage wall– If ONT is inside a media panel or placed in a bracket and mounted to a garage wall, you should follow the steps discussed for metal media panels.
Exterior wall– If the ONT is placed in a weather-proof box and then mounted to an exterior wall of your house, you should follow the steps discussed for metal media panels. Here, you shouldn’t touch or attempt to open the box.
Plugging your router to ONT is possible but only if you follow the right steps. For more details, connect with us via WhatsApp at +971585811786