New Verizon FIOS Actiontec MI424WR Not Showing DNS Option
I went through the instructions but it seems that the Verizon Router Dashboard has changed some. I have uploaded a picture of the settings for the Ethernet Coax window. They do not show any DNS options although it says in their manual that they do.
Thanks for your help.
Screen Shot 2013-10-04 at 2.39.11 PM.png
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I have spent quite some time with both Verizon and Actiontec. I would think that OpenDNS would be concerned that Verizon is sending out new routers that do not have the option to change the Ethernet/Coaxial settings to another DNS!
The instructions here on the OpenDNS site for the Actiontec router that I have do not reflect the software that was delivered. Both the names of the categories and the options are different. I will try going into Advanced and looking for a Firmware Upgrade in hopes that what was delivered was an older router software.
Actiontec recommended changing the DNS in Home/Office but when I ran the OpenDNS test it showed that changing that setting was not successful.
If anyone has some helpful information I would appreciate it.
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It turns out that nowadays ISP supplied devices are intentional less configurable to minimize their support efforts. The less users can change, the less issues come up. This is a common phenomenon. Your best bet is to use an OEM device, solely or in addition of the ISP supplied device, or a device which can be flashed with alternative firmware like Tomato, OpenWRT, DD-WRT and the likes.
"I would think that OpenDNS would be concerned that Verizon is sending out new routers that do not have the option to change the Ethernet/Coaxial settings to another DNS!"
Could well be, but what does it help to be concerned? OpenDNS is one business, Verizon another. They are related or affiliated in no way, not that I knew.
"The instructions here on the OpenDNS site for the Actiontec router that I have do not reflect the software that was delivered."
Yes, they may have documented this for the OEM device from Actiontec, not for the trimmed down model distributed by Verizon.
"I will try going into Advanced and looking for a Firmware Upgrade in hopes that what was delivered was an older router software."
Yes, start with the OEM version from Actiontec if they still offer such a firmware. But think about that special Verizon services like VoIP or IPTV may not work any longer when flashing the router with a different firmware.
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OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_equipment_manufacturer
By "OEM device" I meant a device flashed with the "OEM firmware". The hardware may be the same from the manufacturer and the ISP, but the firmware is likely different. You may find the OEM firmware for your device at http://www.actiontec.com/support/
As I said, be careful not to impact any ISP services you need inc internet connection when flashing your router with a different firmware.
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timbreese: I do a fair amount of installing OpenDNS in homes. Both Verizon and ATT U-Verse have gateways (modem+router) that do not support changing the DNS. Supposedly, that is because they have moved to TV-IP for managing the TV signals going to the various boxes in the house, and changing DNS screws up that plan. To get OpenDNS to work I have found the best solution is to get a regular old wireless router (preferably NETGEAR, since they have Live Parental Controls based on OpenDNS) and plug that into the gateway and run your network through the router while the router runs through the gateway's DMZ. I discuss this specifically for AT&T (since I am a U-Verse customer) in my blog: http://blog.knightsquest.org/?p=3000 The concepts apply to VERIZON customers, too. The ONLY thing that runs out of my gateway is the hardwire connection to the set-top boxes. All else, including wireless, is through the router. (You turn the gateway's WAN off.) If the gateway logon info is on a sticker on the gateway, change the password. Otherwise some kid will realize how to get around your router!
ROTBLITZ: You responded: Could well be, but what does it help to be concerned? OpenDNS is one business, Verizon another. They are related or affiliated in no way, not that I knew. The point he was trying to make was that, since OpenDNS provides instructions and support to consumers to help them configure OpenDNS products (both free and for-pay) to work with various ISPs and their hardware, then it would be very important to know if the MAJOR ISPs were changing technologies & hardware so that those changes negated, or made extremely difficult (to the typical consumer), the use of OpenDNS's products. When the consumer, especially the typical, non-net-saavy consumer, is unable to use your product because of what VERIZON, AT&T, and others do with their technologies then it DOES matter! And, yes, many of the consumers are using the FREE service, but they MIGHT be the decision-makers that OpenDNS wants to connect with for your various for-pay and Corporate Services. Just another perspective.
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"When the consumer ... is unable to use your product"
I do not offer any product here. I'm just a user like you.
"configure OpenDNS products (both free and for-pay) to work with various ISPs and their hardware"
DNS is totally independent from software or hardware or even OpenDNS in particular but just an networking feature, to configure static resolver addresses on platforms as supported. Also, OpenDNS is not really products, but services.
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@rampager83 Thanks for your information. I too am Verizon and no matter what I've tried, I can't get the web filtering to work via openDNS. While there is a place in the new routers to change DNS servers (and it took some digging to find it), apparently that is window dressing. The setting looks like it can be set so that the home network uses one set of DNS and the coax (for the tv) uses another set of DNS. But even though I've set this, I the filtering still doesn't work. This is very frustrating.
For now, I'm going to have to find out if Verizon offers filtering.
Which I doubt or for which they will charge.
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On my MI424WR (installed 6/25/13) I click: 'MY NETWORK' ---> 'NETWORK CONNECTIONS' (on the left) ---> the edit ICON under ACTION for the NETWORK (HOME/OFFICE) entry ---> 'SETTINGS' (at the bottom). About half-way down the settings list, you should find the place where you can select to use a DNS server and set addresses for Primary and Secondary servers! I have never used the one you show in your screen shot! It would be nice to know if VZ has changed this one also!
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I did everything as you all stated and I cant seem to get any stats to pull from the dashboard. What am I doing wrong? (attached a pic)
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Have you also the "New Verizon FIOS Actiontec MI424WR" router?
"I did everything as you all stated"
Did we state anything about what to do? I can't see this here...
Whatever, your picture doesn't show what the problem is. You'll want to post the complete plain text output of this command:
nslookup -type=txt debug.opendns.com.
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Thank you "weakharn". To all, I am using the new Quantum Router MI424WR. You CAN set the DNS server to use Open DNS. I followed the instructions from "weakharn" from October 31:
" On my MI424WR (installed 6/25/13) I click: 'MY NETWORK' ---> 'NETWORK CONNECTIONS' (on the left) ---> the edit ICON under ACTION for the NETWORK (HOME/OFFICE) entry ---> 'SETTINGS' (at the bottom). About half-way down the settings list, you should find the place where you can select to use a DNS server and set addresses for Primary and Secondary servers!"
IT WORKS and is just what you'll see.Thank You!
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I tried the directions listed by opendns help page here: https://store.opendns.com/setup/device/actiontec-mi424wr.
These don't work for this version of the Actiontec (Verizon) router. Partly because under the network connections link, the "terms" used for each connection are different than those provided by the opendns tutorial (link above). It is a great walk-thru, with pictures, but you can't follow the directions if the choices offered aren't the same.
I also tried weakharn's suggestion (using the network/home choice) and it didn't seem to work either. I ran the "test your new settings" link (from the link above) and it said it wasn't working for me.
I did appreciate what rampager83 said above. I think he hit the nail on the head. I'm not an expert, but would like to use this.
Ideas I have: someone said something about hooking up another router to the Verizon router, and then setting up open dns on that wifi router? Or I could switch to comcast. Or, maybe in one of the other sets of instructions there are some clues that could be applied to this router, via a different pathway. I've moused around the whole router directory and there are seemingly limitless possibilities, if only I knew what each menu meant. But I don't.
Thanks for the help.
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I was also having problems using the steps outlined here for Verizon FIOS Actiontec MI424WR routers until I discovered from a different site that when in Network Connections, edit Broadband Connection (Ethernet) which is Connected and NOT Broadband Connection (Coax) which is Disconnected. Apply the same DNS settings and make sure you do all the cache purging. It should work just like @leow said.
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