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Forum Discussion
additional guest network on a separate router
I recently switched to Orbi from Asus routers. I think Asus is great, but its mesh network doesn't like switches along the way. I am currently using an Orbi 970 router + 1 satellite and am looking t...
analoglife76 wrote:
I recently switched to Orbi from Asus routers. I think Asus is great, but its mesh network doesn't like switches along the way.
There are numerous reports of people using switches to increase the number of devices which connect using Ethernet (I do myself) and also to connect satellites to the router. There also are reports of problems with specific switches and configurations. This statement seems to be an overly broad assertion.
analoglife76 wrote:
looking to add a second or third guest network using one of my other Asus routers.
This depends on your expectations regarding devices connected to these additional WiFi networks:
- Are devices expected to be able to roam seamlessly around the property? This is the primary characteristic of mesh networks. This will be possible if the Asus is part of a mesh system and will run in parallel with the Netgear system. It would be advisable to assign the additional WiFi system to different primary frequencies to reduce the interference and competition between them.
- Are devices expected to be able to communicate with devices on the primary Netgear system? The default mode for most residential routers is to create their own LAN and use Network Address Translation (NAT) so that all devices appear to have the same IP address. This makes communication between devices on this additional network and the primary network much more complicated. (not necessarily impossible, but not simple)
- Most residential routers expect their network connection to be via Ethernet. This is the primary difference between traditional router and access points and "WiFi Extenders" which typically connect to the primary network using WiFi.
Would be interesting to know what prompts this question.
hi
So essentially, I am trying to utilize one of my older ASUS routers, RT-AX88U, to create a guest network for an area of the house. Simple, and not required to roam between other access points. A simple network for guests.
So I set that router up as AP with it's own main network for me to admin + guest network + turned on AP isolation to separate the guest network form the main. That ASUS is connected via ethernet to my main network (Orbi 970).
Once I log in to the ASUS guest network wifi, I am still able to access my entire network! weird and confusing.
Not surprising at all. When WiFi routers are set up as Access Points (AP), they no longer create their own LAN that is hidden behind Network Address Translation. Their DHCP process is disabled. They get their IP address from the primary network connection and they pass DHCP requests from connected devices to the primary network to get IP address assignments.
If the Asus is configured as a 'router' (rather than an Access Point), then connecting to devices on the primary network will require more technical skills than the typical renter would have. Especially if the primary network does not use 192.168.1.x for the LAN subnet.