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marcfolio's avatar
marcfolio
Follower
Jun 08, 2020

I want to create a mesh network with 2 RAX80s

I purchased a RAX80 router and it's not enough to broadcast throughout my home. I'm thinking of getting a second RAX80 and to create a mesh network. I have ethernet run to a couple different locations throughout the house. Could I:

• connect the second RAX80 to the first one through ethernet

• disable the DHCP server on the second device

• Configure the wifi settings the same as the 1st device

 

I know I've been able to do this in the past with other routers to create a mesh network. Wondering if it would work with Netgears.

2 Replies

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  • Scottish's avatar
    Scottish
    Tutor
    Jun 08, 2020

    Hey

    dont think you'll get a mesh doing that(unless the router has a mesh option) dynamic routing and internode comms probably won't be there. It'll work in a small setup but may get some cross radio packet drops if you move "zonesl. Probably better saving the cash and setting up an extender or bridging a cheaper router.

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru
    Jun 09, 2020

    I agree with Scottish . 

    This isn't ideal. The RAX devices aren't mesh devices. You can get 2 of them with one running in router mode and the other in AP mode with the ssid's set the same. But they won't be "mesh" in that your devices aren't going to roam like a mesh network. They'll tend to be "sticky" and stay connected to 1 device until they loose connection. 

    Your best options? 

    1. return your rax device and buy a mesh system. 

    2. get a mesh extender. It doesn't function as mesh if hardwired in but in extender mode it does. They work well if all you need is 1 extender. if you're needing more than 1, its better to go with a full mesh system.

     

    if you do go the route of an extender, I'd recommend the tri-band extenders.