Can a R8000P be configured as an access point to extend a guest network, or just the primary WiFi?

Question

I own an R8000P which I'm having issues with IP allocations and access control, but that is a separate question.
To work around this issue I'm looking to use a ds7800 as my WAN interface into an NBN modem, providing static and dhcp controls across the network. From here I'm looking to manage extending 5GHz and 2.4GHz primary and guest networks via an r8000p and an ex7700. I don't have any issues with the primary networks if I leave the r8000 in router\modem mode, but the guest networks appear to lock once they hit the r8000. I've tried configuring the r8000 as an access point, but then none of the networks pass through to the internet. I've even looked for instructions on how to configure the triband to repeat the 5GHz network via the two radios in the r8000. I don't know if I'm just not getting the configuration right or if this device is just broken. Any suggestions?

plemans · Answer

the r8000 doesn't have a repeater mode.&nbsp;
You can either set it up as a router, an access point, or a bridge.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

plemans · Answer

You should be able to connect the EX7700 to the R8000 with the R8000 in ap mode.&nbsp;
I've done something similar numerous times with other netgear routers and a EX7300 and EX8000.&nbsp;
You won't be able to use guest network as thats disabled in AP mode.&nbsp;
https://kb.netgear.com/26765/Which-features-are-disabled-on-my-NETGEAR-router-when-it-is-set-to-AP-Mode

Ravsir · Answer

Which makes it a bit of a dud when it fails as a router.
Am I correct in assuming there are issues with the architecture of extending the networks created by this device when in AP mode? I can't seem to get my ex7700 to connect to it when in this configuration.

Ravsir · Answer

Ok that's interesting. I'll have to play with it more then. I managed to navigate to the ex7700 remotely through the network, but it was complaining there was no network to extend. When I started the genie, it wouldn't register the network it was connected to. I thought it was part of the r8000 brokeness so I took it out of the network and am just using the ds7800 and ex7700. Everything I want is kinda working, but every now and then the ex7700 just disappears, which it never did with the r8000. Seems I'm between a setup that occasionally drops the extension and a device that can't manage static IPs properly.With the AP mode disabling guest networks, if I forward a guest network from my router, through an extender or an AP (as the primary network), does that defeat the security that the guest network provides in the first place?

Forum Discussion

Can a R8000P be configured as an access point to extend a guest network, or just the primary WiFi?

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