I was running my EAX20 in router mode and needed more signal in one area of our house. I wired it with Ethernet and moved it. It is still in router mode, not AP mode. Is the wired connection helping?Does a wired EAX20 actually use WiFi instead of Ethernet to talk to the router when it is in router mode?Does an Ethernet wired EAX20 need to be in AP mode if in order to take advantage of the wired connection to the router?

Like schumaku says, there is ZERO router mode on the EAX20. It either has extender mode or access point mode. If you have it in extender mode but hardwired to the router, it won't function properly. So if you're planning on using it hardwired, you need to reinstall it in access point mode.

Mark500000 wrote:The EAX20 is in router mode. The manual only says that running the EAX20 in AP mode results in losing some features of the EAX20, like guest access. There is no router mode. So if it's not in access point mode, its in extender mode. It won't function properly in extender mode if you have it hardwired to the router. So if you want to wire it to your router, set it up in access point mode. If you want to continue using the extra features, then you need to disconnect the connection back to the router and run it in extender mode.

Assuming the connections are the same as before: Connect a PC or associate a wireless client to the network. Does the device get an IP address assigned? Is this something in the 192.168.1.x network ? Open a Web browser and access http://192.168.1.1/ - login with the password known ....

Sorry. My bad. The software asks to set up in extender mode or access point mode. I think I got the term “router mode” from another person or website. Sorry. This stuff is mostly outside my area of expertise. All connected devices to the network are 192.xxx.xxx.xxx. So the the EAX20 (AX1800) is set up in extender mode and is connected to Ethernet. Seems like after I wired it, WiFi speeds from the extender improved. Is that possible in extender mode?

Honestly, I failed to spot any indication of the EAX20 Router Mode in the fine manuals. Of course, I'm aware the similar WAX202 and WAX206 Wireless Access Points can be configured into a Router mode, so don't wonder a second if they have enabled this (in my reading) undocumented feature on the EAX20, too.. In Router Mode, The AP functions as both a lightweight router and WiFi 6 access point, and can support LAN clients through its LAN ports. Because the AP is connected to your modem, the AP receives its IP address settings from your Internet service provider (ISP). The AP delivers IP address settings to its clients so that Internet access is provided. The only meaningful purpose is to connect the WAN /Internet port to a cable modem (or the like). Other variants don't make much sense, due to double NAT, port forwarding limitations, ... Do you have another NAT router, e.g. an ISP provided Wi-Fi router gateway combo? Of course, you could re-locate the EAX20 in router mode to a position providing better WiFi coverage, by adding a cable connection to your internet device/cable modem. This requires that you have to extend all Ethernet cables for the LAN devices to the same position. However, I'm not convinced this makes a lot of sense, depending on your Internet connection. If you have another NAT router/gateway offering private RFC1918 IP addresses for the LAN, consider to operate the EAX20 in access point mode.

EAX20 wired and in router mode | NETGEAR Communities

12 Replies

schumaku
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 23, 2023
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Honestly, I failed to spot any indication of the EAX20 Router Mode in the fine manuals.

Of course, I'm aware the similar WAX202 and WAX206 Wireless Access Points can be configured into a Router mode, so don't wonder a second if they have enabled this (in my reading) undocumented feature on the EAX20, too..

In Router Mode, The AP functions as both a lightweight router and WiFi 6 access point, and can support LAN clients through its LAN ports. Because the AP is connected to your modem, the AP receives its IP address settings from your Internet service provider (ISP). The AP delivers IP address settings to its clients so that Internet access is provided.

The only meaningful purpose is to connect the WAN /Internet port to a cable modem (or the like). Other variants don't make much sense, due to double NAT, port forwarding limitations, ...

Do you have another NAT router, e.g. an ISP provided Wi-Fi router gateway combo?

Of course, you could re-locate the EAX20 in router mode to a position providing better WiFi coverage, by adding a cable connection to your internet device/cable modem. This requires that you have to extend all Ethernet cables for the LAN devices to the same position.

However, I'm not convinced this makes a lot of sense, depending on your Internet connection. If you have another NAT router/gateway offering private RFC1918 IP addresses for the LAN, consider to operate the EAX20 in access point mode.
- Mark500000
  Tutor
  Jun 23, 2023
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  I had ATT 300/300 fiber installed and ATT supplied the Humax modem/router.
  The EAX20 is in router mode. The manual only says that running the EAX20 in AP mode results in losing some features of the EAX20, like guest access.
  - plemans
    Guru - Experienced User
    Jun 23, 2023
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    Mark500000 wrote:
    
    The EAX20 is in router mode. The manual only says that running the EAX20 in AP mode results in losing some features of the EAX20, like guest access.
    
    There is no router mode. So if it's not in access point mode, its in extender mode.
    
    It won't function properly in extender mode if you have it hardwired to the router.
    
    So if you want to wire it to your router, set it up in access point mode.
    
    If you want to continue using the extra features, then you need to disconnect the connection back to the router and run it in extender mode.
plemans
Guru - Experienced User
Jun 23, 2023
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Like schumaku says, there is ZERO router mode on the EAX20.

It either has extender mode or access point mode.

If you have it in extender mode but hardwired to the router, it won't function properly.

So if you're planning on using it hardwired, you need to reinstall it in access point mode.
Bouncingmolar
Aspirant
Apr 02, 2024
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What does schumanku mean when it won't function correctly when connected to Lan in extender mode.

Does Lan connected AP mode still extend the wifi? Or does it need it's own separate wifi name
- plemans
  Guru - Experienced User
  Apr 02, 2024
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  Bouncingmolar This post starts off with a few issues. I'd recommend starting your own if you have questions about a setup, performance, etc. then we can directly help you with your specifics and not get them confused with the OP.

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EAX20 wired and in router mode