Avoid ISP Routers

If you&#x27;re on HN, you obviously want an OpenWRT router or better but most people are probably better off with equipment managed by their provider so they have someone to whom they can complain about wifi issues, etc.<p>Also, funny to see Bogleheads forum as source for tech advice. It comes up times and again in many forums that they are populated largely by computer janitors.

The &quot;purchase your own router&quot; argument goes out the window on a GPON or XGSPON network where the ISP provides the interface to the single strand of fiber, <i>unless</i> your ISP supports putting the ONT in what is effectively a layer 2 bridge mode, and then you provide your own router.

Great in concept, especially if you know what you’re doing. In my non-North American locale, I ordered a fiber hookup, and specifically asked to use my own router.<p>Supposedly they will give you an ONT in SFP module for free, and then rent you a media converter ~3 USD&#x2F;month, and then the rest is up to you (assuming it supports PPPoE). Some friends have done this a while ago successfully.<p>Reality on install day: technician grabbed the white-label ONT&#x2F;router combo from the truck and refused anything else :( And unrelated, he found a “defect” in the existing fiber drop (clear as day with the visible-light tester), so I had to pay for pulling a new drop from the street :(

Apart from all these legitimate reasons not to use an ISP router or modem, I find that they just... suck. The signal strength on mine is awful.

ATT Fiber ONT and bridge passthrough, like I did with Verizon Fiber, Comcast cable, ATT ADSL and Frontier ADSL in my last places of residence.<p>Takes a bit of wrangling, and a bit of downtime during initial setups but its YOURS!<p>This is the part where ISC DHCP client really, really shines for me here (and systemd still can&#x27;t).<p>Disclaimer: I coded Efficient PPPoE from RFC-scratch for many ISP&#x27;s modems.

how do you go about switching out an apartment a router&#x2F;modem combo with managed wifi at apartment complexes?<p>I&#x27;ve been told by different places it often can&#x27;t be done, but I never pushed the issue. Always wondered if it was true