is it better to conncet my nighthawk extender and routers with a cable?

Hi drewbabich,

1. Please indicate the exact model number of both the router and the extender (EX6400 is indicated at the bottom of your post - please confirm since it is not a Nighthawk branded model).

2. If you already have both the devices (router and extender), we recommend checking for signal strength and quality at the distances or locations where the devices will be used so that you can optimize the extender placement.

3. If you have a fixed/set location for the router and extender as you have described, you can operate the extender on either Extender mode or Access Point mode.

4. In Extender mode, where the router and the extender will be linked via wireless, you have to make sure that the extender location is optimal where it gets a good signal from the router. And yes, chances are the bandwidth will be reduced due to bandwidth allocation on the processes (sending and receiving data) between the extender and router.

5. In Access Point mode, where you can run a cable from the router to extender, there won't be much of a sacrifice on bandwidth depending on the distance between the two devices (we recommend using cat5, cat5e, cat6 Ethernet cables).

6. Of course, there are other variables that may affect the setup and performance like the following, but not limited to wireless interference from neighboring wireless networks, materials of the house that may or may not reduce signal quality, network activity like gaming and/or streaming and equipment location.

7. We would recommend surveying and experimenting on the actual setup and location itself since network environments vary.

Regards,

Dexter

Community Team