Setting up eero with Verizon Fios

There are different routes that should be taken to get eero set up depending on the services that you have with Verizon FiOS:  

1. If you have FiOS TV and Internet, you will need to set up your eeros behind your existing router, temporarily creating a double NAT, and then put them into bridge mode.
2. If you have FiOS Internet only (no TV), you can connect eero directly to your Optical Network Terminal (ONT). Your ONT is configured to communicate with your router either via coax cable or via Ethernet (The ONT isn’t a modem and doesn’t act as a network bridge - it just changes the optical signal to an electric signal used by your router).
• If the ONT is configured for coax, we recommend that you call the Verizon Fiber Solutions Center to have them switch the ONT to ethernet. If this is not possible, you can set your eeros up in bridge mode behind your existing router.
• If the ONT is configured for ethernet, follow the steps listed below to release your DHCP lease. This has to be done because FiOS DHCP leases are MAC bound to their router. Releasing this DHCP lease from the old router enables your eero to handle routing properly.

There are a few ways to release the DHCP lease:

• Power off the router for two hours: Verizon’s DHCP lease interval is 2 hours. Once this existing lease has expired, the new router should be able to obtain a new DHCP lease
• Call the Verizon Fiber Solutions Center (1-800-VERIZON) to break the lease.
• Break the Lease using the FiOS App by following the troubleshooting steps for “I can’t connect to the Internet”.
• Via the router GUI - You will connect a computer to your router (via ethernet is best) and go to your router’s IP address in your web browser. The most common router IP addresses are 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.0.1, but you can learn how to find yours with a web search if you are unsure. This allows you access to your router’s GUI where you can change various network settings. The login/password is most commonly ‘admin’/’password’ but your password may have been changed to ‘password1’ by a Verizon Technician or be on the bottom of your router. Depending on what router you have, the next steps will vary. Steps for the most common Verizon-provided routers are listed below.

1. Actiontec MI424-WR Steps:
1. Click on ‘My Network’ icon at the top
2. Select ‘Network Connections’ (coax or ethernet) depending on your connection to the ONT
3. Click ‘Settings’
4. Click ‘Release’
5. Click ‘Apply’
6. Disconnect router immediately to prevent it from re-requesting a DHCP lease
2. Westell 9100EM Steps:
1. Click ‘My Network’
2. Select ‘Network Connections’ from menu on the left
3. Select ‘Broadband Connection’ (coax or ethernet) depending on your connection to the ONT
4. Select ‘Configure Connection’
5. Click ‘Release’
6. Click ‘Ok’
7. Disconnect the router immediately to prevent it from re-requesting a DHCP lease

Verizon only allows one MAC address per account and they store that MAC on handing out an IP address. You should disconnect your old router, set up your eero, and then use the Verizon iPhone app to report trouble with your circuit. They'll run an automated test which will immediately release the MAC they had stored and allow your device to connect.