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Want to use RAX120 and X10 [R9000] connected to the same modem
I just purchased a RAX120 and still waiting for it to be delivered. I currently have a Nighthawk R9000 x10 router with a 4 port Nighthawk 32 x 8 DOCSIS 3.1 Cable modem (CM1200-100NAS). When the RAX120 arrives, I would like to connect it to the 2nd port of my modem and run it to the other end of our house using 100ft CAT7 ethernet cable. I want to use the same SSID names for the 2.4ghz and 5ghz as I have on the R9000 so moving from one end of the house to the other will be seemless.
The reason why I want to do this is becuase my house is 6,800sq. ft. and I need the coverage and ability to hardwire in to each router as my wife and I work from home (opposite ends of the house) and the kids (wifi only) do online schooling. Wifi is definitly lacking in an area of our house. We currently have the fastest internet availble from Cox, so I'm hoping that will help with our future setup.
My questions are:
1. Is it ok to have both routers use the same SSID names and what issues might I encounter doing this?
2. Is it ok to have both routers connected to the same modem or should I just have router B connected into router A? If so, do I just make router B an access point?
3. Any recommendations for this type of setup?
Thank you for any help you can provide!
1 Reply
Can you connect more than 1 router to your CM1200?
Depends on your isp. Most isps (comcast, cox, spectrum) only allow 1 public ip address. That allows only 1 device to connect to the modem. Exceptions to this are when you pay for extra IP address or have a business class line. Which most people don't because it usually isn't worth the primce.
But you don't have to connect them seperate. You can always connect the 2nd router to the primary and run the 2nd one in access point mode.
The issue that you'll have is they won't be seamless. Neither device is a mesh router. So if you set them with the same ssid, they'll tend to be sticky. By sticky, I mean that devices will tend to stay connected to one of the routers until the signal is unusable or disconnects. Then it'll go to the next signal. its not seamless.
If you're wanting true seamless roaming, you should look at the orbi line of mesh devices. They off wired and wireless backhaul with single ssid function. In a house your size, that'd be a better option that trying to go a little cheaper and cobble it together.
I'd probably return the RAX120 and go with an orbi setup. You can always use the R9000 as a backup or even as a router or just IoT devices. (in access point mode) If you do this, just make sure it uses a different wireless channel from the primary to prevent interference.
