2 Messages
Please correct me if I'm wrong about how to deploy MoCA
Xfinity’s coax cable comes in to a central closet in our new house. It connects to a splitter that feeds four critical rooms. At present, an Arris TG3482G Moca-capable router is in one of those rooms and that’s the only room with a wired connection along with the Arris's limited WiFi. (BTW, all I want is Internet -- no TV.)
Now it’s time to put an Ethernet connection in the other three rooms — for additional switches, WAPs, etc.
I always use UniFi gear, but I wonder if that would be too much trouble given the coax-only feeds to the four rooms.
I mean, based on my limited understanding of MoCA, with it enabled in the Arris all I will need is a MoCA adapter in the three other rooms. I end up with the 4-port plus WiFi Arris in one room, and an Ethernet jack in each of the other three rooms, where I can add switches, WAP's, etc. Sounds so simple!
If I want to use UniFi stuff and still employ the existing coax wiring, as I understand MoCA: I will first have to put the Arris and a DreamMachine in the closet where the splitter is (which means I’ll need to run power to that closet). Then, I will have to put a MoCA adapter on each of the DM’s four ports — to convert to coax — and put another MoCA adapter at the other end of the coax, in each room. So instead of buying three MoCA adapters, the cost will be eight MoCA adapters, a DreamMachine, and an electrician to add power to the closet -- all that to end up with an Ethernet port in each of the four critical rooms. It seems nutty.
Am I misunderstanding or overlooking something?
Accepted Solution
user_2cef58
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7 Messages
10 months ago
I am not a MOCA expert but I have used it several times to do something similar to what you are suggesting but so far only with 2-way splits. YMMV.
Your first option description is essentially what I do in my house but I have my own modem without MOCA so I have adapters on both ends. The "far end" has a switch with several wired connections plus an WAP to cover that end of the house.
I think you could stick with the Uni gear near the current modem if you put it into bridge mode and add a fourth MOCA adapter in that room. The possible issue would be the need to split the cable in that room which might lower the signal enough that the signal to the modem would need to be amplified. (only way to know for sure is to try it I guess)
Also, make sure all splitters are fully MOCA compliant and that Xfinity installed a MOCA Point of Entry filter. If not make sure to add one at the input to the first splitter to keep your MOCA in and the neighbor's MOCA out.
Here's a link to a great paper from the MOCA alliance that explains lots of wiring scenarios. https://mocalliance.org/technology/Final_Best-Practices-for-Installation-of-MoCA_170516rev01.pdf
Hope it works. Good luck.
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