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Using RAX41 router in normal mode while connected to my ISP-provided router
Right now its in AP mode as advised via Netgear tech support back when I could get support for it and not being charged but since it is in AP mode, there's a lot of settings I can't access because of it.
My home network is fine I guess with two routers as both are transmitting their own 2G and 5G SSID's and both routers are transmitting on differing channels from each other.
I could just use my Netgear as the only router but the reasons why I have it connected via ethernet cable to my ISP router is due to one, if there's ever a problem, my ISP can access their router remotely. Second reason, I have this router so I might as well use it and because it is faster and it does broadcast further than my ISP router. Third, being that I have a lot of wireless devices in my home, having two routers allows me to split them up between two routers instead of being all connected to one router.
Can I still use it how I am but take it out of AP mode? Thanks.
9 Replies
Anybody???
The general advice is to have "one router" because connecting one router to another router leads to what is often referred to as a "Double NAT" . Double NAT can interfere with a number of specific applications, including certain forms of internet gaming, sharing files on the internet, and connecting to the local network from the internet. (internet search for more information and examples)
Having only one router also means that every device in the home is part of one local network. Every device can communicate with every other device. For many users, this is not particularly important.
Because of the design of 2.4G WiFi, creating 2.4G networks that are at least five channels apart does allow support for more 2.4G devices. (This is not a trivial subject, as WiFi is impacted by other WiFi systems in the neighborhood, so quantifying the benefit of having both systems active on 2.4G WiFi is pretty complicated.)
Having multiple 5G WiFi networks is a bit different, because although 5G WiFi uses one channel for management purposes, actual data communication tries to create packets that use the entire 80 or 160MHz bandwidth.
So, while the general advice is to disable WiFi on the ISP router and use only the user router for WiFi (in AP or Router mode), the subject is highly technical.
If there are setting or capabilities of the RAX41 that are important to you and a Double NAT will not cause any problems, then there is nothing wrong with putting the RAX41 in Router mode.
So please excuse my confusion but when you talk about this double NAT stuff, is that only possible for if I was to return my Netgear router back to normal router mode while having it plugged into my ISP provided router or are you saying this is something that’s always been a possibility while having this router configured into AP mode?
I guess I’m just a little naïve as to what could’ve really been going on this whole time but for quite some time now, I’ve had both routers in use like I described in my opening post and as far as I know, there was never really any problem. Even when my stepson lived there and being that the ISP router was in his bedroom, he always had his fancy homemade gaming computer plugged into that router via ethernet and I don’t remember him ever saying there’s any issues with all the gaming that he did.
But so in conclusion, am I just better off leaving it all how it is? I mean, is that why the Netgear tech-support person I talked to instructed me to do this in AP mode? Also, are there really any settings that I really need to have access to for better performance? Like, in other words, is there really any kind of advantage returning my Netgear router back to router mode then just leaving it where it is? If I understand correctly, if I put my router back into normal router mode, that means I’m gonna have to manually reassign the IP addresses, correct?
Your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. This would be a double NAT condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the NG router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the NG router gets from the modem. https://kb.netgear.com/25891/DMZ-on-NETGEAR-routers
https://kb.netgear.com/24086/How-do-I-set-up-a-default-DMZ-server-on-my-Nighthawk-router
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the NG router to the modem, LAN to LAN configure AP mode on the NG router.
https://kb.netgear.com/20927/How-do-I-change-my-NETGEAR-router-to-AP-mode
New: https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-home-nighthawk-knowledge-sharing/procedure-to-configure-static-ip-address-for-ap-mode-for-netgear-orbi-or-nightha/2456243
https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi-WIFI-6-AX-AND-Wi-Fi-6E-AXE/Procedure-for-Factory-reset-of-RBS850/m-p/2367505/highlight/true#M53985
Try option #2 first...My ISP router is a Calix Gigacenter 844E and being that it is fiber Internet, that router is plugged into a, I believe it’s called a UNT, or something like that. It’s a little white box that the router is plugged into with an ethernet cable and then there’s an actual fiber optic cable that goes from that little white box with the lights on it to another little box which is what goes outside.
But like I asked the other responder, is all of this double NAT stuff a possibility only if I returned my Netgear router back to normal router mode or is this something that could be going on right while having my Netgear router configured in AP mode?
Because if there’s not really going to be any advantage to reconfiguring my netgear router away from access point mode that I guess I would just rather leave it how I have it now.
both routers, when connected to their ethernet outputs and depending on the device connected, you can see anywhere from 950 to 980 Mbps and when connected via Wi-Fi, the Netgear router on my iPhone 14 and on my MacBook, I can see about 600 to 620 Mbps, but on the ISP provided router, about 400 to 500 Mbps.
ONT.
You can turn the Netgear router back to router mode, however if the ISP router is active, you'll need to use option #2 to help avoid double NAT issues if there is a router at the ISP level.
