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Forum Discussion
rhony2
May 17, 2021Aspirant
Can the AX1750 Range extender be used in Bridge only mode?
I don't need range extension, but I do prefer to limit the number of wireless signals bouncing around my house so I like to use bridges whenever I have a cluster of devices in one location. I am in ...
- May 19, 2021
That's tough to say.
You could post in the Orbi AX forum about compatible extenders and how well they perfrom. I know FURRYe38 has the AX system and probably a few extenders sitting around that might have been tried.
If you're not needing anything fancy for the extra device a standard extender (or even one of your dlink bridges) might work for the time being. Again, I say *might* because I don't have the system and haven't tested anything with it.I've used several different gigabit switches with my orbi ac devices and haven't had any issues.
Same with my Arris W31 AX11000 that I have.
Although some have reported issues with the green switches. I've got a couple and it hasn't been a problem.
plemans
May 17, 2021Guru - Experienced User
You realize that your "bridges" have to send and recieve signals as well? And its not directed right at the router but in a omnidirectional pattern?
So whether they extend a signal or not, the signal is still broadcasting and covering your home.
If you're in the process of switching over, I'd actually check into the mesh systems like orbi.
rhony2
May 18, 2021Aspirant
Thanks but the Orbi is really expensive. Costco has the Orbi RBK843S for $850 and that is only the router and 2 satellites and I need 3. I can get the Nighthawk AX4300 plus 3 AX1750 for $450.
- plemansMay 18, 2021Guru - Experienced User
I usually advise people that if you're needing more than 1 extender, you're better off spending the money for the full mesh systems.
They're designed to operate together and as a whole. This allows them to roam better, switch between daisy chain/star configurations, allow both wired and wireless backhaul, and they expand better.
This allows them to be more stable, faster, and just much less headache.
You can try to piece together a system but if you have stability issues, you know what the cause is. And fixing them can mean disabling the mesh part of it.
- rhony2May 18, 2021Aspirant
Thanks for the warning but this would be the third system I have had with multiple bridges. I set up a wireless N system in 2009 with 3 bridges and then upgraded to an AC system in 2015 with 3 bridges. Both of those were D-Link systems as D-Link was the only manufacturer that I found in 2009 that had wireless bridges with 4 ethernet ports. Prior to that I had a Netgear system for my wireless G router and before that I had a Dell wireless B system which I think was actually a Cisco (Linksys). The earlier D-Link devices had settings where I could set it in either extender or bridge mode which is why I posted the question before. When I was getting prepared to look for the upgrade to AX I could not find D-Link anymore and then I found out that they had been sued by the FCC so that is when I decided to go back to Netgear, especially now that everyone is making extenders and I had a prior good experience with Netgear. I had few instability issues with my prior systems but I think the reason might be that I always tried to buy from the same manufacturer. I actually had more instability issues with just a single wireless router and lots of wireless devices, but when I reduced the number of wireless signals bouncing around my house by clustering the devices in a single room with a bridge with 4 ethernet connections, the instability mostly disappeared. Currently each room has a smart TV, micro computer, and two gaming consoles - hence the need for 4 ethernet connections.
There is a cheaper Orbi system that goes on sale at Costco tomorrow for $400 for the router and 2 satellites, but the problem with the cheaper Orbi system is that the satellites only have 2 ethernet ports and the router 3. I need 4 ports in each device. My brother-in-law does have the more expensive Orbi in his home but as a programmer he has worked from home even before the pandemic so that is a business expense.
- plemansMay 19, 2021Guru - Experienced User
Which orbi are you looking at? I usually recommend the tribands.
Even if they have only 2 ports, they make cheap 5-8 port gigabit switches that you can expand the ports with.