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Forum Discussion
CAX80 - Bridge Mode/Wireless Access Point
As strange as this may sound, does anybody happen to know if the CAX80 can be used as a modem in wireless bridge mode? My use case is that I already have a router and several switches running SFP+ at...
> [...] if the CAX80 can be used as a modem in wireless bridge mode?
> [...]
It's not obvious (to me) that that question makes sense. What would
be the use of a modem to a "wireless bridge"?
> What I want is to use the CAX80 as a cable modem connected to another
> router via Multi-Gig port @ 2.5GBPS, but I also want it to function as a
> wireless access point that can handle AX clients.
You might be able to coerce any cable modem+router into acting as a
wireless access point, but I see no way to use its modem section in such
a configuration. See, for example:
https://community.netgear.com/t5/x/x/m-p/1463500
That's written for a Netgear C6300-as-WAP, but the steps are about the
same for any other router (any make/model) which lacks a one-step WAP
option. But, in a modem+router, the modem is permanently connected to
the (would-be-disused, internal) WAN interface of the router section,
which is bypassed in WAP mode.
> None of the CAX80 documentation [...]
You found some with some actual content? Where?
> [...] I remember using an AC5300 to do this through the setup wizard,
> but it had no modem built into it. I could set it as a wireless bridge
> and it would run as a wireless point, and point it to another router.
I don't know what, exactly, you might remember, but "AC5300" is a
speed, not a model number ("R8500"?), and, if you read its User Manual,
then I'd expect it to say that "wireless bridge" and "wireless access
point" are two different (largely unrelated) special modes of operation.
So, my guess would be that whatever you might think that you want,
it's not possible.
Yep, sounds like you got it. The WAP mode would bypass the modem, so I can't use modem if I want to use WiFi.You're right about the AC5300 - I'm referring to another router I had made by another company starting with 'A' and misremembered it as made by Netgear. Doh!
Okay, Plan B. Can the CAX80 just be used as a modem with all WiFi, Routing, and Switching disabled, save for the 2.5 gigabit Multi Wan port? Usually Combo Cable Modem/Router Gateways call this 'Bridge Mode'.
If you were wondering what my rationale was, it's that the CAX80 happens to be a modem that has a 2.5 gigabit LAN port, and I happen to have a network that can do above 1 gigabit as I have fiber throughout my home. Not even the CM1200 has this (but it does have LACP/LAGG/Link Aggregation through teaming multiple gigabit ports, if your router supports this).
The only documentation I could find was at https://www.netgear.com/support/product/cax80.aspx and it looks like its not specific to the CAX. The data sheet and quick start guide seem to lack much info :(
??> [...] Can the CAX80 just be used as a modem [...]
One of us would need to read its User Manual, looking for something
like "modem only" or "device mode". I volunteer you for that task.> The only documentation I could find [...]
Same here. No obvious "User Manual", which is where I'd expect to
find any useful info. Lacking actual documentation, you may be stuck
with exploring the management web site (which I, lacking access to a
CAX<anything>, can't do). Perhaps: ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Device
Mode. No bets.Alternatively, start perusing User Manuals for other Cxxxx models,
and hope for similarities?No luck on other Cable Modem Routers in the manuals. C7800 looks like the closest, newest product @ https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/C7800/C7800_UM_EN.pdf and it doesn't appear to have a way to turn off all routing. It looks like you can disable DHCP, plus the WiFi Radios.
> [...] It looks like you can disable DHCP, plus the WiFi Radios.
That doesn't do what you want.
Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in a model like C7000 or
C7000v2, and look for Documentation. Get the User Manual. Read. Look
for "Cable Your Modem Router to a Router and Use Bridge Mode" (C7000) or
"Connect Your Modem Router to a Router After Installation and
Activation" (C7000v2). (I knew that I'd seen that stuff someplace.)