Or how to use your TV cables for your home internet network!
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#### STORY ##############################################
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I recently switched from Starhub 100Mbps Cable Broadband to ViewQwest 1Gbps Fibre Broadband and with that change I also wanted to solve my annoying WiFi connectivity issues whilst using the actual bandwidth I'm paying my internet service provider for. The only way to get fast internet to my computer in a room that it furthest away from the fibre termination point in the living room was via wired connection.
Unfortunately, my building does not have Ethernet wiring and I'm not really interested in having any cables lying lose between rooms. I haven't made any good experience with PowerLine devices in the past (Ethernet over electrical wiring) or with Mesh WiFi and the only other thing I stumbled across was MoCA technology - which finally solved all my issues and gives me around 950Mbps internet access over my existing TV cables.
In a nutshell, MoCA allows you to use your TV cables for your computer network.
Here is my current setup at home with fibre internet provided by ViewQwest. You can see the MoCA devices connect my router and computers over my TV cables.
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#### FUNDAMENTALS #######################################
########################################################
MoCA stands for 'Multimedia over Coax Alliance'. The technology behind that term allows the distribution of ethernet data over the existing in-home coaxial TV cabling. Simply said, it can convert a Ethernet signal to run over coaxial cables. MoCA networking can co-exist with video data on the same coax cable. There are several MoCA versions:
• MoCA 1.0 ---> 100 Mbit/s
• MoCA 1.1 ---> 175 Mbit/s
• MoCA 2.0 ---> 500 Mbit/s
• MoCA 2.0 bonded ---> 1.0 Gbp/s
• MoCA 2.1 ---> 500 Mbit/s
• MoCA 2.1 bonded ---> 1.0 Gbp/s
• MoCA 2.5 ---> 2.5 Gbp/s
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#### POE FILTER ###########################################
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In order for MoCA to work, a 'Point Of Entry Filter' needs to be installed into the main coax TV cable. This can either be done at the cable entry point into your premises (such as a riser cabinet) or within your flat in a cable distribution box where the coax splitter is.
The filter simply blocks MoCA data from leaving your network and going back into your cable providers network or your neighbours network, where it likely will interfere with the network or system elements.
An easy way is also to disconnect the main TV cable in your flat if no other service is used - just ensure to add a 75 Ohm terminator cap to your coax splitter.
Either ways - one solution is mandatory! You want to ensure that your network traffic stays within your own home and cable wiring. For me, Starhub installed the POE filter in the riser cabinet free of cost - the filter used is a 'Soontai LPF-1002M3'.
########################################################
#### COAX SPLITTER ########################################
########################################################
Depending on your home network you may have more than one coax cable outlet. If so, it is most likely that a 'coax splitter' is used that distributes the signal to multiple places. A coax splitter has one input (usually labelled "IN") where the provider signal enters the splitter and at least two outputs where the signal leaves the splitter to go to different TV outlets.
Most coax splitter have a frequency band filter built in and a label on the splitter indicating the frequency band (for example '5-1000 Mhz'). This means, that the splitter blocks any frequencies outside of this range in any direction. Whilst MoCA operates some frequency bands above this range it should not affect the performance in any meaningful way.
If you happen to encounter issues you can try to replace the coax splitter with another frequency band model such as '5-1500 Mhz' or '5-1750 Mhz'. Another issue might be that the coax splitter in use is extremely old and has ferite cores instead of an integrated circuits - these should be replaced as well. In any case, you can find modern replacement splitters in Sim Lim Square #03-69 at 'UF Technology'.
Old coax splitters - which should be replaced:
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#### CONNECTIVITY ########################################
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I used RG-6 coax cables and Ethernet CAT6 cables for my home network in order to minimise any potential cabeling issues. Bespoke length RG-6 cables can be ordered in Sim Lim Tower #02-25 at 'LHS Electronics Enterprise' and I found decent quality Ethernet CAT6 cables in Sim Lim Square #04-01 at 'Cybermind'. I also tried to avoid any additional connectors (such as 90° F-type connectors) on my coax cables.
########################################################
#### MOCA DEVICES ########################################
########################################################
According to my research in August 2017, the most recommended and discussed MoCA device on the internet is the 'Actiontec ECB6200 Bonded MoCA 2.0' which promises speeds up to 1Gbps. I ordered directly from Amazon Prime in the first days of the Singapore launch and the package arrived a few hours later. It includes the following:
• 2x Actiontec ECB6200 MoCA devices (120 x 65 x 26 mm)
• 2x AC Adapter (ADP #WA-10P05FU, US Plug Type A 100-240V, 1.3mm connector 5V DC/2A)
• 2x RG6 coax cable (Male F connectors, black, 50cm)
• 2x CAT5E ethernet cable (RJ45 connectors, yellow, 100cm)
• 1x Starburst Technologies 2-way coaxial splitter (5-1675Mhz)
Replacement AC adaptors with a UK Plug Type G 3 pin for Singapore can be bought in Sim Lim Tower #01-05 at 'Ask Electronic' or at #B1-36B at 'IDO Technologies' but the easier solution is just to use a fused adapter.
I personally do not recommend any of the advertised DirectTV devices. First, the power adapter is built with an US plug and ONLY operates at 120 Volts. Second, the devices can not co-exist with any video signal as they operate on the same frequency as your TV signal. And in my tests the internet transfer speeds I reached were at maximum ~65Mbps on my 1Gbs internet connection. Use a dedicated MoCA solution!
########################################################
#### ECB6200 WEBINTERFACE #################################
########################################################
Whilst the Actiontec ECB6200 is a 'plug-and-play' device that doest not require any setup it still can be accessed via a web interface in order to gather more device information. Here are the steps:
• Unplug all cables connected to the Actiontec ECB6200
• Connect the ECB6200 to power and ensure that the 'Power' LED lights up
• Connect your computer via Ethernet cable to the ECB6200
• Set your computers Ethernet IP address to 192.168.144.10
• Set your computers gateway IP address to 192.168.144.1
• Start a browser and open 192.168.144.30
The interface is quite minimalistic with no real configuration options. Here are my default device details for the curious:
Device Info
• Board ID: 6802ECB
• SW Version: 2.11.1.50.6200.7
• RF Channel: 1150
• Band: Band D Extended
Configuration
• MoCA Password: xxxxxx
• MoCA Privacy: Disable
• RF Channel: 1150
• RF Band: Band D Extended
• RF Switch: Hi
########################################################
#### LINKS ###############################################
########################################################
Before you jump into turning your home network over please check out the links below to get a better understanding and idea if MoCA works for your home network.
MoCA Technology
http://www.drmoron.org/tv-moca/
http://millennials1st.house/blog/a-sip-of-moca
Coax Splitter
http://cable-connector.sg/page_127.html
ActionTec ECB6200
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=actiontec-moca2-network
http://wegotserved.com/2015/12/10/r...ess-network-extender-adapter-bonded-moca-2-0/
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Networ...work-Extender-and-ECB6200-Network-Adapter-Rev
Other Stuff
http://support.channelmaster.com/hc...ch-Signal-Do-I-Lose-Going-Through-A-Splitter-
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/i...moca-ethernet-over-coax-adapters-3310854.html
http://www.tivocommunity.com/community/index.php?threads/moca-networking-splitter-type.519676/
http://www.tivocommunity.com/commun...tible-splitter-killing-internet-speed.547686/
########################################################
#### STORY ##############################################
########################################################
I recently switched from Starhub 100Mbps Cable Broadband to ViewQwest 1Gbps Fibre Broadband and with that change I also wanted to solve my annoying WiFi connectivity issues whilst using the actual bandwidth I'm paying my internet service provider for. The only way to get fast internet to my computer in a room that it furthest away from the fibre termination point in the living room was via wired connection.
Unfortunately, my building does not have Ethernet wiring and I'm not really interested in having any cables lying lose between rooms. I haven't made any good experience with PowerLine devices in the past (Ethernet over electrical wiring) or with Mesh WiFi and the only other thing I stumbled across was MoCA technology - which finally solved all my issues and gives me around 950Mbps internet access over my existing TV cables.
In a nutshell, MoCA allows you to use your TV cables for your computer network.
Here is my current setup at home with fibre internet provided by ViewQwest. You can see the MoCA devices connect my router and computers over my TV cables.
########################################################
#### FUNDAMENTALS #######################################
########################################################
MoCA stands for 'Multimedia over Coax Alliance'. The technology behind that term allows the distribution of ethernet data over the existing in-home coaxial TV cabling. Simply said, it can convert a Ethernet signal to run over coaxial cables. MoCA networking can co-exist with video data on the same coax cable. There are several MoCA versions:
• MoCA 1.0 ---> 100 Mbit/s
• MoCA 1.1 ---> 175 Mbit/s
• MoCA 2.0 ---> 500 Mbit/s
• MoCA 2.0 bonded ---> 1.0 Gbp/s
• MoCA 2.1 ---> 500 Mbit/s
• MoCA 2.1 bonded ---> 1.0 Gbp/s
• MoCA 2.5 ---> 2.5 Gbp/s
########################################################
#### POE FILTER ###########################################
########################################################
In order for MoCA to work, a 'Point Of Entry Filter' needs to be installed into the main coax TV cable. This can either be done at the cable entry point into your premises (such as a riser cabinet) or within your flat in a cable distribution box where the coax splitter is.
The filter simply blocks MoCA data from leaving your network and going back into your cable providers network or your neighbours network, where it likely will interfere with the network or system elements.
An easy way is also to disconnect the main TV cable in your flat if no other service is used - just ensure to add a 75 Ohm terminator cap to your coax splitter.
Either ways - one solution is mandatory! You want to ensure that your network traffic stays within your own home and cable wiring. For me, Starhub installed the POE filter in the riser cabinet free of cost - the filter used is a 'Soontai LPF-1002M3'.
########################################################
#### COAX SPLITTER ########################################
########################################################
Depending on your home network you may have more than one coax cable outlet. If so, it is most likely that a 'coax splitter' is used that distributes the signal to multiple places. A coax splitter has one input (usually labelled "IN") where the provider signal enters the splitter and at least two outputs where the signal leaves the splitter to go to different TV outlets.
Most coax splitter have a frequency band filter built in and a label on the splitter indicating the frequency band (for example '5-1000 Mhz'). This means, that the splitter blocks any frequencies outside of this range in any direction. Whilst MoCA operates some frequency bands above this range it should not affect the performance in any meaningful way.
If you happen to encounter issues you can try to replace the coax splitter with another frequency band model such as '5-1500 Mhz' or '5-1750 Mhz'. Another issue might be that the coax splitter in use is extremely old and has ferite cores instead of an integrated circuits - these should be replaced as well. In any case, you can find modern replacement splitters in Sim Lim Square #03-69 at 'UF Technology'.
Old coax splitters - which should be replaced:
########################################################
#### CONNECTIVITY ########################################
########################################################
I used RG-6 coax cables and Ethernet CAT6 cables for my home network in order to minimise any potential cabeling issues. Bespoke length RG-6 cables can be ordered in Sim Lim Tower #02-25 at 'LHS Electronics Enterprise' and I found decent quality Ethernet CAT6 cables in Sim Lim Square #04-01 at 'Cybermind'. I also tried to avoid any additional connectors (such as 90° F-type connectors) on my coax cables.
########################################################
#### MOCA DEVICES ########################################
########################################################
According to my research in August 2017, the most recommended and discussed MoCA device on the internet is the 'Actiontec ECB6200 Bonded MoCA 2.0' which promises speeds up to 1Gbps. I ordered directly from Amazon Prime in the first days of the Singapore launch and the package arrived a few hours later. It includes the following:
• 2x Actiontec ECB6200 MoCA devices (120 x 65 x 26 mm)
• 2x AC Adapter (ADP #WA-10P05FU, US Plug Type A 100-240V, 1.3mm connector 5V DC/2A)
• 2x RG6 coax cable (Male F connectors, black, 50cm)
• 2x CAT5E ethernet cable (RJ45 connectors, yellow, 100cm)
• 1x Starburst Technologies 2-way coaxial splitter (5-1675Mhz)
Replacement AC adaptors with a UK Plug Type G 3 pin for Singapore can be bought in Sim Lim Tower #01-05 at 'Ask Electronic' or at #B1-36B at 'IDO Technologies' but the easier solution is just to use a fused adapter.
I personally do not recommend any of the advertised DirectTV devices. First, the power adapter is built with an US plug and ONLY operates at 120 Volts. Second, the devices can not co-exist with any video signal as they operate on the same frequency as your TV signal. And in my tests the internet transfer speeds I reached were at maximum ~65Mbps on my 1Gbs internet connection. Use a dedicated MoCA solution!
########################################################
#### ECB6200 WEBINTERFACE #################################
########################################################
Whilst the Actiontec ECB6200 is a 'plug-and-play' device that doest not require any setup it still can be accessed via a web interface in order to gather more device information. Here are the steps:
• Unplug all cables connected to the Actiontec ECB6200
• Connect the ECB6200 to power and ensure that the 'Power' LED lights up
• Connect your computer via Ethernet cable to the ECB6200
• Set your computers Ethernet IP address to 192.168.144.10
• Set your computers gateway IP address to 192.168.144.1
• Start a browser and open 192.168.144.30
The interface is quite minimalistic with no real configuration options. Here are my default device details for the curious:
Device Info
• Board ID: 6802ECB
• SW Version: 2.11.1.50.6200.7
• RF Channel: 1150
• Band: Band D Extended
Configuration
• MoCA Password: xxxxxx
• MoCA Privacy: Disable
• RF Channel: 1150
• RF Band: Band D Extended
• RF Switch: Hi
########################################################
#### LINKS ###############################################
########################################################
Before you jump into turning your home network over please check out the links below to get a better understanding and idea if MoCA works for your home network.
MoCA Technology
http://www.drmoron.org/tv-moca/
http://millennials1st.house/blog/a-sip-of-moca
Coax Splitter
http://cable-connector.sg/page_127.html
ActionTec ECB6200
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=actiontec-moca2-network
http://wegotserved.com/2015/12/10/r...ess-network-extender-adapter-bonded-moca-2-0/
http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Networ...work-Extender-and-ECB6200-Network-Adapter-Rev
Other Stuff
http://support.channelmaster.com/hc...ch-Signal-Do-I-Lose-Going-Through-A-Splitter-
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/i...moca-ethernet-over-coax-adapters-3310854.html
http://www.tivocommunity.com/community/index.php?threads/moca-networking-splitter-type.519676/
http://www.tivocommunity.com/commun...tible-splitter-killing-internet-speed.547686/
Last edited: