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How to add MK72s mesh system to AX3000 4-Stream WiFi 6 RAX36S
Hello,
I purchased a Netgear Nighthawk AX3000 4-Stream WiFi 6 RAX36S Router from JB Hi-Fi. I then also bought a Netgear Nighthawk MK72S (AX3000) Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System (2-pack: Router + Satellite), as I was told I’d be able to set them all up together as a mesh system.
However, I’m having some trouble figuring out how to do that. The app seems completely useless, and I ended up using a laptop just to set up the RAX36S. Now I can’t work out how to add the MK72S system to it? I want everything to function as a proper mesh network. I’m also using a Billion BiPAC 8900X R3 VDSL2 Modem for the internet connection, if that makes any difference.
Is anyone able to explain how I can get this working?
Thanks for the help!
*Note: I could not select RAX36S under associated products for some reason, so I had to select RAX38 as that is all I could find. I have also attached an image of the devices I purchased. Cheers
7 Replies
vegemitetoastie wrote:
Hello,
I purchased a Netgear Nighthawk AX3000 4-Stream WiFi 6 RAX36S Router from JB Hi-Fi. I then also bought a Netgear Nighthawk MK72S (AX3000) Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System (2-pack: Router + Satellite), as I was told I’d be able to set them all up together as a mesh system.Trying to add one router (MR70) to another (RAX) can cause problems.
For example, you can end up with local problems with addresses on your network. Among other things, the other router can misdirect traffic to addresses that the Netgear router usually handles, such as routerlogin.net or the usual default IP address for a router, 192.168.1.1.
This explains some of the other drawbacks.
What is Double NAT? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
Unless you have specific reasons for using two routers – to create two separate networks for example – it is often easier to use just one router and then to set up the second router as a wifi access point (AP) with a wired connection to the main router. Netgear advises this, as does just about every site you will visit.How do I change my NETGEAR router to AP mode? | Answer | NETGEAR Support
But that has its own drawbacks:Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode | Answer | NETGEAR Support
vegemitetoastie wrote:
I was told I’d be able to set them all up together as a mesh system.
I don't know who told you that, but you won't get a genuine Mesh wifi system between the RAX36S and the MK72. Different wifi technologies.
And you cannot connect the MS70 to the RAX router. You need the MR70 in the middle.
My first inclination would be to see if the MK72 system would do the job without the RAX router. That would be a lot simpler.
An alternative would be to use the MR70 as the main router and the RAX as an AP. But that won't be a full Mesh either.
Just another user with time on their hands.
Whoever told you the RAX36 and the MK72 would integrate together, wasn't tell you the truth. they won't integrate together. They're 2 different product lines.
And you're not just in a double nat with those 2, you're in a triple because of your modem/gateway you're using. It has its own routing capability built in too. this is making it more complicated and prone to error.
What I'd do? If you just bought these, return them both and buy the 1 system you need to achieve what you. If you're needing a router +2 satellites, go with the MK73/MK83/MK93. I usually advise you can run a router + a mesh system in concert but these are new so if you're still within the return, exchange them.
When you go to set it up, you'll need you gateway in passthrough/modem only mode that michaelkenward talks about.
plemans wrote:
And you're not just in a double nat with those 2, you're in a triple because of your modem/gateway you're using. It has its own routing capability built in too. this is making it more complicated and prone to error.
Jeez. I'd missed the "gateway" complication.
Bit of a rat's nest.
I have grappled with a similar pile of devices. My Internet service provider insists on using a gateway that will not work in modem/only mode. My solution was to use that as the modem, but to put my MK mesh router (MR90) into the DMZ of the modem/router.. Then the MR90 is the router at the centre of the Mesh wifi network.
I also have an R7800 router in AP mode bolted on to the MK93 network so that I can use its USB ports for extra storage.
I would advocate this arrangement. It just suits me because I have piles of hardware hanging around that I can find a use for.
Where possible, create the simplest network possible that meets your needs.
Disclaimer: Just another user with time on their hands.
So I've read all the advice here and I'm trying to set it up in the following way --
- Billion BiPAC 8900X R3
- Set up in bridge mode (because the Nighthawks can't plug straight into the phone line / I need VDSL2) - Netgear Nighthawk MK72S (AX3000) Dual-Band WiFi 6 Mesh System (2-pack: Router + Satellite)
- Mesh system set up as main router and network - Netgear Nighthawk AX3000 4-Stream WiFi 6 RAX36S Router
- Set up as an access point wired to the mesh system
If I understand correctly, is this what's recommended? Also, I've been having some trouble getting my Mate NBN (Australia) to connect through PPoE on the Nighthawk after setting the Billion 8900X into bridge mode. Just wondering if anybody here has had experience with a similar set up and could offer any advice? My internet was working fine when I had the Billion 8900X handling the connection (it wasn't set up in bridge mode), and then I had that plugged in with ethernet to a Kogan Mesh system, that I've just replaced with this Nighthawk gear.
Appreciate the help so far, cheers! michaelkenward plemans- Billion BiPAC 8900X R3
