First question is, does anyone who has verizon fios know if there's something that makes this router special? Can I just replace it with a linksys one? My main question on getting my ports forwarded ...

Did you check Verizon's website? Sometimes those devices are kind custom made or use a custom firmware so the support is all on the provider's site. Sorry I can't help more.

Port forwarding is a crucial technique for enabling external devices to connect to specific services on a private network, bypassing the firewall and router restrictions. This guide will walk you ...