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Forum Discussion
Solved
EX6110 Configuration
I am having issues getting my EX6110 to work correctly. Here is my overall setup:
1. WNR3500Lv2 as edge device, wireless disabled
2. Nighthawk X6 R8000 in WAP mode, with SmartConnect enabled
3. EX6110 in remote room
I'm not sure if the extender is supposed to be broadcasting its own "extended" SSID, or if it is supposed to extend my existing network, if SmartConnect is messing with it, or I should be using WPS to do what I want, but when I connect the extender to my current SSID on both channels but with the existing single SmartConnect SSID, it will grab clients but not let them on the network.
My goal is to have one (or two) seamless SSIDs for whole-house coverage, but it seems like that is not how the EX6110 is supposed to work (but is EXACTLY how the Mesh devices should work). I also have a refurbished (but working) second R8000 and some PowerLine adapters, if that might serve...
Can anyone offer any guidance? Thanks!
- Your problem comes down to only wanting 1 ssid. none of your devices are "mesh" devices.
Meaning you can set them up with the same ssid but they'll be sticky. Meaning they won't roam like mesh devices.
Options?
1. get a mesh extender that you plan on running as a wireless extender. they work great with 1 extender. If you need more than that, look to option 2
2. upgrade to a full mesh system like orbi that supports wired and wireless backhaul and using single ssid function.
3. Have 2 ssids. Use the 2 R8000's (both outside of the closet) and run them with smart connect but have 2 different ssids. One for each side of the home. If possible have both hardwired in and run 1 in access point mode. Just make sure they use different wireless channels so they don't interfere with each other if you use this route.
4 Replies
A couple things.
1. If you have another R8000, why are you using the WNR3500L as the router/edge device? The R8000 is much more capable. You could set it as the router and leave its wireless enabled and then put the other R8000 at the other end of the home. You'd have better coverage and capabilities.
2. the EX6110 isn't a mesh extender. So even if you set it with the same ssid as the router, it won't roam like the mesh devices do.
I am using the WNR3500L as the router because it sits in a closet near the rear of the house, and currently has wireless disabled.
Here's a little back-story:
The cable for internet comes into that closet, and always has. When we moved in I had the R8000 in there, but found that its signal was severely hampered even by the accordion doors on that closet. Since I didn't want to buy another one, and wireless signal was bad, I tried to find the least-expensive edge/router device and config as I have it now (50' RJ-45 running out to the kitchen area to the R8000). Subsequent to that I worked with flashing the firmware on the R8000 with DD-WRT and Tomato, and through that process inadvertently put the R7000 firmware on there, rendering it completely useless. I have a friend who is a wizard with routers, who was able to pull that one apart and re-flash with R8000 firmware (with the admonition not to flash anything else on it, or it might brick itself again), as well as sell me a used "spare" R8000 he had for a very reasonable price.
So, the unflashed R8000 is what I am using as my WAP, connected via 50' cable to the WNR3500L in the closet with wireless disabled (on top of signal being bad, having multiple SSIDs is not what I'm going for), and since I am adding a doorbell camera at the front of the house (which can have some signal issues), I thought it would be good to add some coverage to the front of the house by putting the extender in the upstairs bedroom at the front of the house.
I might be able to swap the 50' cable that's running from the WNR3500L to the R8000 directly into the modem, then put the other R8000 on the end of a powerline adapter upstairs to get wider coverage, and set it to WAP instead...?
- Your problem comes down to only wanting 1 ssid. none of your devices are "mesh" devices.
Meaning you can set them up with the same ssid but they'll be sticky. Meaning they won't roam like mesh devices.
Options?
1. get a mesh extender that you plan on running as a wireless extender. they work great with 1 extender. If you need more than that, look to option 2
2. upgrade to a full mesh system like orbi that supports wired and wireless backhaul and using single ssid function.
3. Have 2 ssids. Use the 2 R8000's (both outside of the closet) and run them with smart connect but have 2 different ssids. One for each side of the home. If possible have both hardwired in and run 1 in access point mode. Just make sure they use different wireless channels so they don't interfere with each other if you use this route.