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Forum Discussion
Wireless range extenders
I just installed a Nighthawk CAX80 router/modem and I would like to add something like the EAX80 wireless range extender to the network....However, I would like to connect the EAX80 directly to the C...
The EAX80 doesn't support the mesh function and smart roaming when ran in AP mode (what mode it needs to be when hardwired in).
You can set it with the same ssid/password as the CAX but it won't roam as efficiently as if it was in mesh mode.
If it was me? I'd return the CAX and purchase a mesh system like the MK nighthawk or Orbi system. Both of those support both a wired and wireless backhaul setup.
plemans wrote:
The EAX80 doesn't support the mesh function and smart roaming when ran in AP mode (what mode it needs to be when hardwired in).
Is that just an AP mode thing? Netgear says that the EAX80 is a "Nighthawk AX8 8-Stream WiFi6 Mesh Extender".
Is the issue the modem/router? Doesn't that have to support a Mesh AP?
Maybe I threw in a red herring by mentioning Mesh.
michaelkenward its just when in AP mode. One of the mods (not sure which one) had been messaging with me about how the smart roaming features are disabled when in AP mode. Not sure why exactly. Maybe it was eating into the orbi/mk nighthawk section.
Thanks Pleamans and all the other community responders. Great suggestions, but I am limited to only a few models of cable modems that my local ISP supports and Orbi isn't on that list. But -- I got it to work as an AP and performs perfectly as a roaming net (more below).
I also contacted NetGear support via chat and they advised that I could install the extender as an AP using the same SSID & Password and it would function as I want - effectively doubling the reliable video streaming range of my base CAX80 since the extender is placed near the edge of the base's coverage. The installation instructions can be found at this link: https://kb.netgear.com/000060286/How-do-I-install-my-NETGEAR-WiFi-range-extender-as-an-access-point?article=000060286
I just brought it online and tested it with an ipad streaming a movie as I walked around my brick & masonry house & property. I performed flawlessly as it dynamically switched between the routers. I watched as the signal dropped while I walked and then at the second strip/arc/bar signal level it automatically switched routers and the signal popped up to full bars with no interruption on the video streaming or audio.
Thanks again to you and everyone!
