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Use your Google Fiber Network Box
Most Network Box customers are eligible to upgrade to a Nest Wifi Pro Router. To learn more, visit the Router upgrade for Network Box customers article.
The Google Fiber Network Box (GFRG110 or GFRG100) connects by Ethernet cable directly to your Fiber Jack. Its dimensions are 8" W x 8" D x 1.5" H.
When it is properly connected, the LED on the front of the Network Box lights up solid blue. If the LED does not light up solid blue about 2 minutes after being connected to power, contact Google Fiber customer support.
The Network Box serves as a router, which provides Internet service for your home networks. You can connect computers and other devices to the Network Box using Ethernet cables or the wireless networks it provides. A maximum of four devices can be wired to the Network Box using Ethernet cables.
If you want to add more wired devices, you can connect a gigabit Ethernet switch. Connecting directly to the Network Box provides the fastest speeds on your network.
The Network Box supports a maximum of 16 wireless devices. As the number of connected devices approaches 16, however, performance degrades dramatically.
Google Fiber uses open source components (some of which are licensed under GPL). You can find our repository of open source code at code.google.com/p/gfiber.
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Use Google Fiber without a Network Box
If you opted not to install a Network Box, you must configure several parameters on the networking equipment you connect to the Fiber Jack. The required settings are below, but configuration examples for each vendor are not available. Contact your networking equipment vendor for help configuring your device.
If the Fiber Jack is a model GFLT110 and you opt not to use the Network Box, you must provide power to the Fiber Jack by a power pack, which you can obtain from your Google Fiber Installation Specialist. If Fiber Jack is a model GFLT100, it comes equipped with a power pack that you must use whether you use the Network Box or not.
Configuration guidelines for the interface connected to the Fiber Jack:
- DHCPv4: You receive the WAN IPv4 address via DHCP. This address will not change. The static IP allocations are tied to your account and physical address. They will remain the same unless you modify your service or move locations.
- DHCPv6 (optional): Google Fiber supports IPv6. We encourage you to enable DHCPv6 on this interface.
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FAQ about static IPs
Ordering static IPs
Q: Which GFiber customers are eligible to order static IPs?A: Only GFiber Business and Community Connection customers can sign up for static IPs.Q: Can I get more than 5 static IP addresses?A: Yes, you can choose a plan with 0, 1, 5, or 13 static IP addresses.Q: I have my own domain name. Do I need to transfer it to GFiber?A: No. To use your domain name with your service, you can optionally update your DNS records with your domain hosting provider to direct traffic to your new GFiber IP address assignments.Security and configuration
Q: I want to keep my computer secure from unauthorized access over the Internet. Will my installation be as secure with a static IP?A: Assigning static IPs for your service does not affect any security mechanisms you may already have in place.Q: I am not familiar with IPv6. Do I need to do anything to support it?A: No. IPv6 is a newer protocol being introduced to the Internet over an extended period. GFiber supports IPv6, but you do not have to use it. If you do not use it now, you can change your mind later.Address allocation and NAT
Q: I have more than 5 IPv4 hosts. How can I support them?A: You can use Network Address Translation / Port Translation (NAT/NAPT) or a proxy server to allow more hosts to access the Internet. You may want to reserve some of your static IPs for hosts that need to be easily externally accessible. Most enterprise routers allow you to use all these technologies at the same time.Q: I thought I was getting 5 static IPv4 addresses, but my public IPv4 allocation is a /29, which provides 6 addresses.A: One IPv4 address should be configured on your router as the local gateway. Most implementations use the first address in the range as the gateway, but you can choose whichever address you want from your range. Use the remaining 5 addresses for hosts that need public static IPs.Q: I have my own IPv4 or IPv6 address allocation. Can I use it with GFiber?A: No. GFiber does not offer this service.Q: I'm using an advanced set-up and want to use the LAN side address allocation for servers or other static devices. My current network set-up uses Network Address Translation / Port Translation (NAT/NAPT) for LAN hosts to reach the internet. Can I still use this?A: Yes, you can continue to use this mechanism once your WAN side address is updated to a static allocation. With most enterprise router implementations you can also use public LAN addresses for externally accessible hosts, and private addresses with NAT for clients simultaneously.Devices
Q: Will changing my network equipment change my static IP address?A: No, your static IP allocations are tied to your account and physical address. They will remain the same unless you modify your service or move locations. The same WAN address will be assigned to your equipment via DHCP, and you can re-apply the same LAN side address configuration to your new equipment.Q: I am not using a Network Box, and when I plug in my laptop or router I am not getting an IP address. What am I doing wrong?A: Be sure the interface of the device connected to the Fiber Jack is set for DHCP.