Discussions

Does anyone here have Westman's TiVO setup along with their internet and use their own router? I've asked Westman about putting their modem/router/switch/AP combo into bridge mode, but they seem to think that will cause issues with TiVO. I could just double NAT it, but I want to avoid that at all possible.  
 
I'm having huge wifi issues with the provided hardware/repeater and want to just run my own UI setup if at all possible.  
 
Has anyone else ran their own router with TiVO and the supplied modem bridged? Any issues?

I'm glad that this was brought up here because I have a similar inquiry that I didn't want to contact help desk with.  
 
I've been pondering slash starting to plan out some segmentation on my home LAN. This being because I'm starting to collect handy but dumb IOT devices, but the follower of cyber security in me looks at them with a nervous eye with the more time that passes.  
 
My first thought was to put the Hitron in bridge mode, then grab a netgate sg11 (as seems to be the recommended option), in combination with 2 other routers. One old 2.4ghz unit for the dumb stuff, and a newer 5ghz beast for the rest.  
 
The problem with this is I'm almost certain it will break the connection with the external media players (which are connected to coax VIA MOCA). Short of running a real long ethernet (or WCG having some kind of wireless option like Bell does), I didn't know how to even begin.  
 
Not to mention that tivo in itself is essentially IOT (dumb? I'll let wiser folks be the judges of that). Which could mean 3 lans, depending on the configuration.

When I had my Westman Tivo, I asked them not to use their router but Iused mine. No problem.

I have the Tivo setup and the Hitron Moca modem/router. I have a large network consisting of wired and wireless devices. I don't use the wifi on the modem at all. I have installed wired Ubiquiti Unifi access points on each level of our home. I get excellent coverage, can control them using a software installed on my computer and each is seen by the cable modem as just another IP device. My wireless devices seamlessly switch between them as I move around the house. The downfall is the access points are all wired and use POE. However, you might want to consider one of the mesh systems as a wireless alternative to the Hitron system.  
 
As for the Tivo, my main box and the modem are on coax as is one of my satellite boxes. The other two satellite boxes are on ethernet and they all communicate just fine.  
 
I would be interested to know how the Tivo works though and specifically, which devices really need to be connected to the coax. I don't like the Hitron router at all. It's poor at upnp and I find for some devices I have to map ports to keep them connecting to the outside world reliability. I would love to be able to use my own router and ditch the Hitron, going to a basic cable modem without wifi while still keeping the Tivo.

Thanks everyone for your responses. Looks sounds it can definitely be done (which I assumed was the case) even though the Westman Support person didn't think so. Now to decide on whether I just turn off Wifi and get my own APs (most likely Ubiquiti) or just drop the whole thing and get something more featured (SG-1100 is a nice unit BTW). They're currently using the MoCA feature of the Hitron to one of the minis in a bedroom, but I'll just drop a cable to there and we should be good to go.

Hey, do you mind please reporting back once you get everything setup, what the final setup looks like, and letting us know how it went? Thanks!

I'm not surprised they were not all that helpful. In my various dealings with tech support of both ISP's in town, it's rather lacking outside of the obvious questions. Which I assume is because staff are only trained for the basics. Grannys internet is out . . . here's the checklist.  
 
In a nutshell . . . if they don't understand the issue (or are not sure. it happens), then they should pass it on to someone that does. I'm certain that both companies have plenty of techs that know their equipment by heart, and would likely easily be able to give an answer.  
 
It might be a big ask (considering how few people run into such issues). But it be a big customer service boost.  
 
Having at one point argued with a tech about the subscriber's (an older friend of mine) internet being down (I was using 3 different devices on 3 different OS's, all not working!), I now find myself mildly annoyed in these situations. I shouldn't have to "reconnect wifi" 3 more times on 3 gadgets in order for it to be apparent that there is some weird quirk on YOUR end.  
 
Not Westman, for the record.  
 
But I agree. Let us know how it all works out.  
 
Edited by Simonwalcal, 2021-03-13 00:18:54