MR100 using extender to connect more than 30 devices?

[Finigan58]

Please be patient with a first time posting.  I have a MR1100 that is my only internet, in a rural setting, with no other options.  As time has passed, my device count has grown and I want to add a number of smart light bulbs.  These will make my device count is excess of the 30 supported by the MR1100.   I found an old closed post from 2019 that suggested that a WN2000RPT  extender would solve this issue by fooling the MR1100 software that it has only 1 device (the WN200RPT) connected ,  leaving bandwidth as the only limiting factor.  I never saw a reply to the post that would confirm that this would or did ultimately work..  I can still buy this obsolete extender for a very reasonable cost, but still don't want to waste $$ if it will not help my situation.  It has also been suggested that the device count is per band and this is a dual band router, making the actual device count 60 which would mean it will work for me as is??  Any advice?

[FURRYe38]

The WN2000RPT is old tech and may not work with newer stuff. It's EoL and no longer updated.

Something to check into, find you a WIFI AP system, something like a Orbi or Nighthawk MESH system that has a main host unit and one or maybe two satellites. These can be configured for AP mode and possibly could be connected to the MR router. Use the MESH system in AP mode for all wifi devices which could handle more devices. if you have actual 60 services, your going to need a better system to handle all those devices at once. 

Whats the size of the home?

[Finigan58]

Thanks for the reply. My home is only 1200 Sq ft, and I will probably max out at 40 devices so I can even get by without an extender or mesh system.  I thought since my MR1100 is over 4 years old and technically obsolete, the WN2000RPT would be a similar vintage and still work fairly seamlessly with it.  I am a bit technically challenged, but can explore the newer mesh systems as you suggest.  I may be Barking up the wrong tree with the WN2000RPT..... just hoping for a cheap solution.  Sometimes a penny saved is a penny wasted?

[FURRYe38]

Ok, Ya 1200 sq ft, installing a wifi router/AP would be good enough. Maybe one satellite at 30 feet with power set to 25% would work well for 60 devices spread out across the two. 

[plemans]

While the MR1100 is a little older, its not obsolete. And if you get half decent speeds from it, awesome. 

Nice thing is that is has a passthrough mode so you could connect a decent router to it. Why buy garbage when you could get something that's solid, covers your homes, and has the latest security. 

Amazon has a renewed RAX70 for around $100

Or you could go with something like the RAX50 renewed for around $70. 

Both would be rock solid and get your devices on the AX generation of performance. That way they can handle a bunch of devices, have good security, and still be applicable if you ever upgrade to something like starlink or get 5G cellular service.