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Forum Discussion
Can a Nighthawk AC3200 connect to a condo association wifi network without a cat5 cable?
Our condominium complex has a site-wide secured wifi network that works fairly well. BUT, I’d like to connect and secure devices like Sonos speakers, etc, and eliminate some dead spots. I have this...
Jonathanrossada wrote:
I have this AC3200 tri-band router, by its set-up instructions explicitly call for a cable to the modem. Can this device operate over complex-wide WiFi and offer an access point that I can secure locally?
The EX8000 is a wifi extender, not a router. Do you have an R8000? The answer to your question depends on exactly what you have.
Also, it would be helpful to know how you connect to the complex-wide wifi. After you connect to the network, do you need to enter a username/password of some kind (different from the wifi password)? Extenders generally won't handle that.
What I have is an R8000.
Aside from the router/modem being in a common equipment room, the wifi here acts like a private home. Residents connect to “WhiteSky-Legends” and use a common password. There’s no splash screen like at a hotel or airport lounge. There is, however, an unsecured version...”WhiteSky-guest” signal that is unsecured.
The Netgear signals listed in the screen shot are the R8000...
Jonathanrossada wrote:
The Netgear signals listed in the screen shot are the R8000...
The R8000 definitely needs an ethernet connection to the main router.
What you'd need is either a WiFi extender (like the EX8000), or a router that supports WISP (wireless ISP) mode. The only routers I know of that support WISP are intended for travel, so they generally don't have much range. They are also fairly low in speed (the fastest one I know of is rated at AC750).
Another option would be to convince the homeowner's association to upgrade the wifi. If the condominium is relatively small (couple of units per floor and in one building), then an Orbi Pro setup would work. The Orbi base unit would be installed in the common equipment room, and the satellite(s) would be installed where needed (likely hallways). They would need power, but no ethernet.
If it's large, then they likely already have access points deployed, and perhaps they need to add a few more.
Jonathanrossada wrote:
Aside from the router/modem being in a common equipment room, the wifi here acts like a private home. Residents connect to “WhiteSky-Legends” and use a common password. There’s no splash screen like at a hotel or airport lounge. There is, however, an unsecured version...”WhiteSky-guest” signal that is unsecured.
An extender will work then.