Need basic advice for simple home use

Product Discussion Peplink Balance
1

Starting out by saying that I am NOT a techie, so please keep it simple for me. Our condo association has just switched to Frontier’s Fiber Optic WIFI 6 for our internet provider, with the option to stream through DirecTV. We will have 5Gbps upload and download speeds. Frontier is providing Eeros mesh routers. I do not want Amazon owned Eeros. My main concern is privacy and security. Not running a business. Just want the use of internet for general use for a family of 4 plus watching tv through DirecTV.

Through reading, Peplink seems to be a good option for getting a router that doesn’t spy or collect data on you. I am thinking that the Balance 20X would be good? And possibly adding an AP (which one?) if we need better reception through the walls? The condo is only 1,300SF…maybe we would be fine with just the one router?

Any opinions out there what you think would be good for us? And which e-tailer would be great to work with since I will need lots of help getting this up and running and would need someone patient with me to help set security options?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2

B20x can do 1gbps max you have 5/5gbps.

How will you connect the fiber to the router?

3

Looking back at a letter from our HOA a month ago, they said that we would have 5gbps speeds. I think this was incorrect. I just looked at what we received from Frontier, and I think we have the plan with 1 Gbps.

As far as connecting the router, I believe I would be using an ethernet cable to connect the router to the ONT that has been installed in our condo. The ONT is the fiber internet modem, correct? And I think I need make sure the router I get is a fiber router.

4

Start with just the one router and place it as close as possible to the middle of your home. It is quite possible, you may want to experiment with different locations before deciding that you need an Access Point.

As for retailers, it is always good to avoid Amazon.

As for speed, you surely do not have 5 gibabits/seconds. Nor do you need it. Very likely 300 megabits/second will be fine. As noted above, the Balance 20x is rated for 900 megabits/second.

Yes, an ONT is the fiber equivalent of a modem. Like any modem, you connect to it via Ethernet.

There is no such thing as a fiber router, any router can work with your fiber internet as the WAN/Internet port is Ethernet.

Out of the box setup instructions can be found here
Pepwave Surf SOHO router initial configuration - RouterSecurity.org

5

Amazon is just fine, if you do shipped and sold by amazon. Obviously though Amazon will not provide support like Peplink resellers do!

As for B20x, it is 1gbps throughput with 8.3 not 900mbps.

6

You’re such a wealth of information and I appreciate your help.

You suggest making “some initial configuration changes while the new router is offline.” To do this, I would need to go online with my old router?

And what are the “initial configuration changes”? Changing the passwords?

You also said at first, it’s best to sit behind an existing router. My existing router is a Netgear modem and router in one (not proud of that…learning now how unsafe that is). So, do you still recommend working through the Netgear with an ethernet connection?

At what point do I start to run solely on the Peplink router?

I’m thinking of purchasing through the 5G Store because it sounds like they have great support.

I have a fear of blocking something, and having it inadvertently block something else. For example, I can see someone saying “Hey, I can’t get into my Gmail!” How likely is this? Would I just call support and they could tell me how to fix that?

If this doesn’t go well, do you think hiring a computer tech would work? Or would they need to be familiar with Peplink?

Many thanks.

7

You suggest making “some initial configuration changes while the new router is offline.” To do this, I would need to go online with my old router?

No.

First, connect the new router to electricity and connect to it from a computer via an ethernet cable.
After making some initial changes, connect the WAN/Internet port of the new router to a LAN port on the existing router and then update the firmware on new Peplink device. I would stick with firmware 8.2.whatever for now. You can download the firmware here

www.peplink.com/support/downloads/

And what are the “initial configuration changes”?

See this
Pepwave Surf SOHO router initial configuration - RouterSecurity.org

You also said at first, it’s best to sit behind an existing router. My existing router is a Netgear modem and router in one (not proud of that…learning now how unsafe that is). So, do you still recommend working through the Netgear with an ethernet connection?

Initially, yes.

At what point do I start to run solely on the Peplink router?

When your devices all connect to it. After updating the firmware. When you feel comfortable with it.

I’m thinking of purchasing through the 5G Store because it sounds like they have great support.

Should be fine

I have a fear of blocking something, and having it inadvertently block something else. For example, I can see someone saying “Hey, I can’t get into my Gmail!” How likely is this? Would I just call support and they could tell me how to fix that?

This is what I meant by having the new router behind the existing one until you feel comfortable with it. And, you do not have to block anything with the new router if you don’t want to.
That said, any time anyone starts to block ads/trackers/whatever, there is always a risk that it breaks something.

If this doesn’t go well, do you think hiring a computer tech would work? Or would they need to be familiar with Peplink?

Don’t know about hiring someone. 5G store should offer assistance.

8

Thank you, Michael.

9

Thank you!

10

CAT 4 refers to the cellular router, which is there for a backup to the wired internet, in our case, FIOS. I think this would be great if your were using it for business, but just for our home use, we probably don’t need it, correct? If that is the case, then I wouldn’t need to worry about a SIM card (which would be an extra contract with a cellular phone company) or installing the two cellular antennas. I really only need to connect the two wifi antennas?

Also, I heard for extra security, it’s better to plug you device directly into the router with an ethernet. When you hook up to the router, does the device automatically go through the ethernet connection, or do you have to tell it to not use the wifi?

11

CAT is annoying term as it has two meanings: the type of 4G/5G modem and the type of Ethernet cable. In your case, yes, it is referring to the 4G modem in a Balance 20x.

Only you can determine if it’s needed. If you work from home, it’s probably needed. If you often appear on TV from home or do work video conferences that you can’t miss, then it’s probably needed.

If you don’t need 4G as a backup Internet connection, then yes, no need for SIM cards and no need for the 4G antennas.

As for your last question, define “the device”. A Chromebook connected to Ethernet and Wifi, has in the past, used Ethernet. Other operating systems may be different.

12

Would be a Chromebook and a Dell laptop. Wondering where to check settings to confirm that we would be operating through the Ethernet and not wifi. Guess I can cross that bridge when we get to it.

Thank you.

13

A chromebook clearly indicates if it is using Wifi vs. Ethernet. Windows will appear to be using both, I don’t know an easy way in Windows to tell which it is really using. The router, of course, can tell.

14

Good to know. Thank you (again!).