NETGEAR is aware of a growing number of phone and online scams. To learn how to stay safe click here.

Forum Discussion

Chibiberu's avatar
Chibiberu
Tutor
Feb 01, 2020

Can I connect Wifi extenders using Ethernet rather than Wifi?

Hi,

 

I live in quite a large house divided in two parts with a wall that doesn't let Wifi signal go through. I want to completely renew my Wifi hardware and I need Wifi in both parts A and B of the house.

I'm thinking about installing a router (Wifi 6 if possible) in the part A where I get access to the Fiber, and putting a range extender in part B.

  • But as Wifi signal can't go through the wall that divides parts A and B, I want to link the Extender to the router through Ethernet cable.
  • I also would like that both the router and the extender provide the same SSID and password in order to limitate disconnexion to the Wifi.

 

Is this possible? If so, what router and what extender(s) should I use?

 

Many thanks in advance for any help

1 Reply

  • plemans's avatar
    plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    Feb 01, 2020

    If you want it to be as seamless as possible, I'd go mesh and skip going router + extender.

    Reason why is when you hardwire in an extender, they function in AP mode and not as a true mesh setup. You can use a setup like orbi and have the wired backhaul. 

    Not saying you couldn't make a router + extender work but it wouldn't be as seamless. I've tried running a RAX200 + EX8000 and it wasn't as nice/seamless/set and forget as my orbi setup. 

    Plus with the wired backhaul, you could get the 40 series of orbi (cheaper) since the main difference from the 40 to 50 series is the wireless backhaul capability. 

    And if you needed more coverage, its easy to add in extra satellites. Versus running more than 1 extender on a network tends to create instabilities.