Frontier G100 With Very Old Firmware How to Update
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affiliated with any of the manufacturers, brands, services, or websites listed on this page and this is my personal feel.
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This review was last updated: February-March 2022
VERIZON G3100 REVIEW
This review of the Verizon G3100 may update as my experience changes (or they
update the firmware).
This Verizon G3100 user review is organized by:
- Background Overview
- Unboxing
- Hardware Overview
- Verizon G3100 Speedtest (basic)
-
Verizon G3100 Speedtest (detailed)
Verizon G3100 v G1100 - Verizon G3100 Self Install Instructions
-
Other notes
(Smart Home Tests, G3100 Front Light, Guest WiFi, Static IP Limits, bugs) - Verdict / Recommendation
New Updates
-
How to set a static IP or fixed IP accost on the Verizon G3100
(useful for Smart Devices or PiHole users) -
How to modify the gateway DNS Server on the Verizon G3100
(useful for Google DNS, Cloudflare, or PiHole users) -
Verizon E3200 review and setup instructions
Verizon had it (briefly) on sale, so I am sharing my review and setup instructions.
Background
I accept been a Verizon FiOS Customer even since the switch from Spectrum (back when information technology was Time Warner Cable). I accept experience on FiOS with the post-obit:
- Actiontec MI424WR
- Verizon Quantum G1100
and now
- Verizon G3100 WiFi 6 Mesh
Each router upgrade has been a step-alter in speed beyond raw FiOS and WiFi. I have tried experimenting with using my ain router but have ever run across issues so I have stuck with Verizon gear. Also considering Verizon provides zero back up on any issue if you lot use your own kit which forces you lot into playing tech support at home if there’due south e’er any issue.
Verizon G3100 Unboxing
Sorry, no G3100 Unboxing YouTube video. In the box you go:
- The Verizon G3100
- Power Cable (Wall Wart style plug)
- Ethernet Cable (White)
- Disclaimer Stuff
The Verizon G3100 user guide / manual is online,
the electric current link is here. This is a link to the FCC copy of the manual every bit Verizon keeps moving their ane.
The Verizon G3100 looks nicer than the older Verizon routers and looks like a Google Home and an Orbi had a baby. I’ll share some thoughts on the LED white light / button on the front later.
If y’all’re interested, based on the information in the box I think the Verizon G3100 is made by
Arcadyn Technologies
based on the FCC ID RAXG3100. So like everything Verizon sells the G3100 is not compatible with any other home WiFi Mesh system (but you could run whatever ordinary repeater if yous want). Yous will demand to buy a
Verizon E3200 Extender
if yous want to use the G3100 Mesh features. So honestly the G3100 is a Mesh WiFi in name just as a standalone unit.
Despite the more modern Google-habitation look of the G3100 Mesh WiFi unit of measurement, the internals are all vertical-mounted in a standard circuit board. So all the space is either wasted or for cooling.
See the photograph below, please don’t open your G3100 or you will void the warranty.
Verizon G3100 Network Ports / G3100 Hardware Overview
- 1 x WAN
- 4 x LAN (I really wish Verizon would offer 8 ports, nosotros’re in a smart homeworld)
- Coax (supports MoCa two.five)
- i x USB 3.0
- DC In Power Port
A few notes.
Compared to the G1100 the G3100 loses 1 USB port simply once again Verizon has NOT made the USB port usable other than for 5v charging. And so y’all cannot plug in a network printer or difficult drive to the USB port. Verizon may change this in the future but I would NOT hold my breath every bit Verizon has never done it before.
See the photograph below for a rear view of the network ports on the Verizon G3100, I’ve blacked out the serial number, etc. for security and privacy reasons.
Verizon G3100 Mesh WiFi Real-Earth Speedtest / Experience (Basic)
I made the switch because the Verizon Quantum G1100 wasn’t struggling to provide all the reach I needed. In fact, I had to set upwards a repeater and run a 2nd router and SSID. If y’all’re interested, I was previously using the Verizon G1100 and a
Linksys RE9000 that I got from All-time Purchase. Yes, I know at that place are cheaper repeater options just I wanted the LAN ports.
I don’t want to share the floor programme for my home, but my issue with the Quantum G1100 is WiFi was almost non-existent in the bedrooms and rooms separated by the kitchen or bathrooms (until I put in the Linksys as a repeater). My goal with the Verizon G3100 is to not have to run a repeater and go WiFi to every corner of the house. I also notwithstanding run an 8 Port Netgear network switch off the G3100 as beyond my Smart Television set, Apple Tv set, and Game Consoles, Smart Home Hub devices I demand more than 4 LAN ports.
So does the G3100 work, is information technology worth the $299 Verizon accuse for it outright?
In my case, YES but your mileage may vary (YMMV).
The first flake of adept news is now EVERY smart dwelling house device in my dwelling house is on the same SSID and with the Verizon G3100, I get total home coverage. That’south a huge step forward and has simplified management and configuration. If y’all want more details, spring to the
G3100 detailed speedtest.
Verizon Quantum G1100 vs G3100 Mesh WiFi Speedtest (Detailed)
I ran multiple speed tests, iii times each from 3 different points in my home. The results are beneath simply this is based on my domicile where I accept a gigabit connectedness into the home. Results are the average of 3 tests and represent internet download speeds (not the speed of connection to the router). All run on an iPhone 11Pro using Speedtest.net.
How to read the results.
First number Quantum G1100 / Second
in assuming
number G3100 Mesh. Higher numbers are better.
Room 1: Direct Line of Sight to the Router
- Download 390 /
481
(reminder results are quondam Quantum / new Mesh) - Upload 321 /
497
Room ii: Furthest Usable WiFi Reach for G1100 (No Repeater)
- Download 234 /
391 - Upload 119 /
239
Room iii: Deadzone for G1100 WiFi / WiFi Unusable without Repeater
- Download 4.02 /
324* - Upload 0.14 /
117*
*Room 3 results are not a typo, information technology’s really that bad. This is why I put in a repeater, I connected to the G1100 for this test fifty-fifty though I expected it would be bad in comparing to the G3100. Honestly surprised I was able to maintain a connectedness to the G1100 at all.
Honestly, it’s a WOW situation and the G3100 results are about unbelievably good. On average a 100Mbps comeback (ignoring Room three). Desire the verbal numbers? The average download on the old Quantum setup was 312 vs 436 on the Mesh. I as well saw improvements for non WiFI six devices.
The WiFi connection from my laptop to the G3100 is on average 650Mbs – 850Mbs. This is the connectivity speed not the download speed which is yet pretty proficient.
I cannot guarantee you lot will go the same results, only for me, it’s definitely worth upgrading to the Verizon G3100 Mesh WiFi arrangement. I get to retire my repeater and no more questions of “is our WiFi down?”
Verizon G3100 Mesh WiFi Self Install Setup
Y’all can get the G3100 outright, so you lot can self-install. FYI I institute
the G3100 about $50 cheaper on Amazon
than information technology retails from Verizon. Self-install takes all of 5-10 minutes. If you need guidance, I recommend the post-obit. Brand sure you read all the steps first before doing annihilation as you need to unplug your G1100 at the end and plugin the G3100. FYI, these steps would exist the same for the older Actiontec MI424WR.
- Login to your G1100 (username/password and instructions can exist institute on the router)
- Select My Network (top navigation)
- Select Network Connection (left navigation)
- Select Broadband Connectedness, brand sure your click the hyperlinknot
edit (middle of the screen) - Curlicue downwardly, select Settings
- You volition see a red button labeled Release next to DHCP Lease, click Release.
- Click Utilise
IMMEDIATELY after clicking Apply disconnect your G1100 from ability, and then connect and power up your G3100. You should exist fix to rock and roll. Information technology might take a minute to resync, and it checks for and installs whatever
G3100 firmware update
on the first employ, so exist patient. Merely in that location’southward cipher else to practice after the white front light turns sold and you should have working WiFi that yous tin connect to using the details printed on the back of the router.
If you’re after instructions for the Verizon E3200 you lot can find a
mini-review of the E3200 and self install instructions hither.
Others Notes
G3100 LAN Port Lights – Bug (No LAN Activity Lights)
This has to exist some sort of firmware issues and has been reported and verified by someone else. The activity lights on the LAN ports on the G3100 router exercise not calorie-free up. No connexion, activity, or annihilation. This makes troubleshooting ethernet connections difficult. The LAN lights do low-cal up and testify activity when the router reboots. It’s an odd problems.
Verizon G3100 Static IP Limits – Bug (Max 10)
For some reason, Verizon has express the G3100 to only ten static IP addresses. If you try and add together an 11th static IP address it doesn’t save although in that location is no fault message and it will expect like it is saving. Not sure why Verizon has limited the G3100 to 10 static IP addresses and I hope they fix it in a firmware update (FYI,
here’s how to strength a G3100 firmware update). If y’all’re later on instructions on how to
set a static IP address on the G3100 yous’ll detect those instructions here. Just to avoid confusion, this is a Verizon limitation. You could probably piece of work around it by setting a static IP on the device side.
Smart Home Equipment tested with the Verizon G3100 and Verizon E3200
The
total listing of smart home devices uniform with the Verizon G3100 and Verizon E3200 tin be found hither. I accept moved it to a separate folio because the listing is now extensive thanks to everyone who sent me confirmation of what does and doesn’t work.
Some major August 2021 news, Verizon updated the router firmware so that there is a
dissever SSID for IoT devices. This keeps any IoT devices dissever from the primary SSID. It’southward a great security update. You tin
learn more hither.
If you’re a manufacturer of a Smart Home device or have something you want me to test with the Verizon G3100 or E3200, you are welcome to
send it to me to test and review. If you own something and know it works, permit me know and I’ll update the page.
Spaces in Device Names Unrecognized
The G3100 will not allocate IP addresses if any devices had spaces in their name. While the input course to change the name of the devices prevents any spaces from being inserted, devices with spaces in their name will cause havoc on the arrangement and how IP addresses are allocated. For example, if you have a Roku called “Roku Streaming Stick” remove the spaces in the device proper noun before connecting it to your network or it won’t connect. How to do this varies past device, and then I tin can’t requite instructions other than to say check the manual for the device.
Understanding the Verizon G3100 LED Light / Button
Verizon (or the manufacturer) really went for something super not-intuitive about the forepart low-cal… so here’s what y’all demand to know virtually the Verizon G3100 LED colors.
- White = Normal
- White = Blinking, Syncing to Verizon
- Bluish = Blinking Pairing / Solid Paired (used during the
Verizon E3200 Mesh
setup) - Greenish = WiFi Turned Off (this makes no sense, why would Greenish mean bad, I mean c’mon)
- Yellowish = Blinking No Internet / Solid Backhaul Issues
- Red = Organisation Failure
Seriously Verizon, why did you make Green = WiFi off, that makes no sense. Grrr… fix this in the side by side firmware update. Don’t use Light-green for bad.
Verizon G3100 Invitee WiFi
I have Guest WIFi disabled simply did have someone inquire questions about the Verizon G3100 Guest WiFi. In respond to those questions:
- Yes, the Verizon G3100 supports Guest WiFi.
- The Verizon G3100 has a different SSID for the guest WiFi network (and password).
- Devices on the Guest WiFi network cannot encounter any other devices on the network (guest network or otherwise).
Review Verdict: Is Verizon’s G3100 Mesh WiFi Worth It?
For me,
Aye, it’s definitely worth information technology – specially for the speed improvements over WiFi on the Verizon G3100 vs G1100. If you look at the WiFi speed scores in the G1100 dead zones it’s unbelievably better. I’ve been able to ditch a repeater and too don’t have to worry almost telling people to switch SSID’southward in different parts of the house.
The pain of reconfiguring my network with a new SSID was more than worth information technology (yes, I know I could have used the same/old SSID name but it’s easier for everyone else in the household if it’s on factory defaults if they need back up from Verizon and I’m non home).
The only limitation is you tin’t accept more than 10 static IP addresses. This shouldn’t be an issue for almost people and Verizon should be able to set this in the next firmware update.
If you’re non sure if the Verizon G3100 is right for you, I’d rent it kickoff. Verizon now provides the G3100 free on sure plans. If you are non eligible to go the Verizon G3100 complimentary and need to buy information technology outright, I accept seen the
Verizon G3100 for about $50 off on Amazon. I do wish Verizon would support a standard off-the-shelf mesh system like Orbi, Velop, etc. so you could extend your setup more toll-effectively. And Verizon, if you ever read this, brand the USB port useful.
2022 Update
It’south worth noting that the new three.1.0.13 firmware has really improved the stability of the G3100 when paired with the E3200 extender. With Verizon now making the G3100 free on certain contract plans, it’s definitely worth the upgrade if you’re coming from an older model Verizon router.
Important:
I am
not
affiliated with any of the manufacturers, brands, services, or websites listed on this page and this is my personal feel.
If you find this helpful and want to say thanks, pleasebuy me a coffee oraccept a look at my volume on Amazon. It keeps this page ad-free. Give thanks yous!
Equally an Amazon Associate, I may earn a fee from qualifying purchases.
