R8000 Connectivity with 2 Routers

Hi Team

X6 R8000 router

Firmware V1.0.4.84_10.1.84

Internet speed test "Good", phone app shows 302.24 down, 23.91 up

Panel lights:

Power: Solid white

Internet: flashing white

2.4: solid white/flashing white

5:solid white/flashing white

And ethernet connections all white

(I have 2 R8000s but I can't access the second one via the IP address I was given even though it was working a day or so ago.)

Problem: I have a smart home with many connected devices--mostly light switches. But I can't get all my devices to connect. I bought a second router used as an access point and placed it down stairs--almost everythng is connected (it appears) but one light switch.

My house is 2880 sq ft. Small enough for one router.

20 light switches on 2 floors

7 smart tvs connected via ethernet

1 smart tv connected via WIFI

1 Alarm system (ethernet)

1 SmartThings (ethernet)

2 Nest Thermostats

11 smart speakers

8 smart plugs

9 wired security cameras connected via NVR

5 laptops or phones at any given time (not all at once typically)

3 other small devices

Totals:

18 via ethernet

50 via WIFI

(Few of TVs and/or laptops/phones are always on.)

The most devices I've ever seen connected (according to the app) were 52. I don't know if this includes the devices connected via ethernet or not.

The signal reaches every part of the house and is Good or Very Good based on my device settings. Before I got the second router, I got up to 49 devices after Comcast provised my CM1200 cable modem and NightHawk support changed my default settings. I may have gotten up to 51 devices. WIth one router, I was still having an issue wiht at least 3 devices not being connected. One router would span my whole house. Now I have 2 and I'm still having problems with my light switches. I've not tested all my plugs. Light switches are the easiest. Smart plugs are a lot more work.

Before the second router, connected/disconnected devices would be random. One day one light switch would not work and another day another would not work. For the last couple days, it seems to be the same light switch (I didn't have problems wiht this particular light switch before I added the 2nd router.)

With 2 routers, I should have way more than what I need to connect all my devices. Why am I still having problems. I felt certain a second router would take care of everything.

Thanks guys!!!

17 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Apr 15, 2022
So how do you have the 2nd router configured and connected?

Is the 2nd router in AP mode?

Where is the 2nd router connected? Behind the modem or behind the 1st router?
- KStevenson
  Tutor
  Apr 15, 2022
  
  FURRYe38 wrote:
  So how do you have the 2nd router configured and connected?
  Is the 2nd router in AP mode?
  Where is the 2nd router connected? Behind the modem or behind the 1st router?
  
  Answer to Question 1: The second router has all default settings. I had NetGear help me set it up and get it running so it would not take me all day to figure out what is wrong.
  
  Answer to Question 2: Yes the 2nd router is in AP mode
  
  Answer to Question 3: The second router is connected via the ethernet port on the first router. (It is not connected directly to the CM1200 cable modem.)
  
  Update: Light switch i had problems with is now connected. But two other light switches on same floor not connected. This is the first time I've seen more than one light switch not connected since i added the two routers.
  
  I still want to add two doorbells and a few other light switches and devices. I'm afraid doing this will make the situation worse.
  - KStevenson
    Tutor
    Apr 15, 2022
    Hi guys,
    
    I have two R8000s--one on each floor. My house is a 2880 sq ft smart home with ethernet connected and wifi devices.
    I could not find any articles online that discusses whether to use 1 wifi network name on both routers, 2 wifi networks, or use the guest network on the main. I was told by a tech that i could not use guest on the access point.
    
    Currently my main router uses Smart Connect with an wifi called Gladiator. The second router (used as an access point) still uses NETGEARXX. The bands are split on the second router by default and smart connect is not being used.
    
    I understand that I have the following options:
    1) Use Gladiator with smart connect on both (Both routers having the same network name)
    2) Use Gladiator and smart connect (as above) but enable the guest network
    3) Use Gladiator and smart connect on the main router and keep the SPLIT default setting of the second router
    4) Same setup as #3 but wiht guest network enabled on the main
    5) Use smart connect on both -- with Gladiator on the main and Soldier (using smart connect on the second one)
    6) Don't use smart connect on either one. (I"m not interested in this one.)
    
    I have no idea what difference these setting would make. I've read that Ideally I'd want my smart home on one network, my guests on another, and my devices (laptop/phone) on its own network for security reasons.
    
    Is there an article that might explain this? How can i get more information?
    
    Thanks!

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R8000 Connectivity with 2 Routers