Bridging to wireless routers together on separate networks

[bobbydigital00]

Hello World,

I am trying to solve a speed low signal problem I have in my basement. 

I have fiber gig speed in my home and I have some devices connected in my basement. Because of the speed and signal strength issue I was facing I purchased PowerLine adapters but I'm only getting about 30mb connection speed using those. 

I am currently using the Netgear Nighthawk X4S. I'm looking into purchasing the NETGEAR Nighthawk 12-Stream WiFi 6E Router (RAXE500) | AXE11000 Tri-Band as I've heard it will provide a stronger signal and better range.

I have two questions. How much better is this NightHawk 12 stream (RAXE500) router versus what I already have in the Nighthawk X 4S?

Lastly, when I purchase a new router can I mesh / bridge them together to create a wider signal range and lets say still separate the networks? For example, my old X 4S would be on a 10net and my new router a 192.168 net.

Thanks for all responses. 

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

No. 

[FURRYe38]

RAXE has better wifi. What is the size of the home in Sq Ft? 

R7800? 

Can't mesh them together, though you could wire connect the 2nd router in AP mode on same network as the RAXE and use far apart channels on the wifi from what the RAXE uses. 

[bobbydigital00]

Home is roughly 6200 sqft. 

Yes. My old router is a R7800.

So basically I would have 2 wireless routers and the only way to use both would be to wire them together. The problem is my Modem is upstairs so my router would be upstairs. 

Is there any way to get the signal strength increase to the basement and use both routers to boost the signal or will I basically need to trash the old router.  I'm basically trying to get off the PowerLine adapters as they are way too slow. 

I also want to keep my basement connectivity on a separate network as it is today. 

[FURRYe38]

Use of any MESH or wifi extender will always be on same network. 

So if you want separate wifi network, you'll need to use the PL or run a ethernet cable to the basement then you can use the R7800 in router mode and this would provide a separate netowrk and wifi for the basement area. 

Good Luck. 

[plemans]

6200sq ft is a large home. 

I'm sitting around 3200 sqft and what worked best for me was:
With ac mesh systems: a router and 2 satellites

with AX mesh systems: router and 1-2 satellites. (I run 2 just because I have them)

At 6200 sqft, you'd want more than just a router and an access point. I'd be looking at going with something like the 8 or 9 series orbi.

Your other option to check into is moca adapters (ethernet over coax). powerline is sensitive to a lot of different factors. Moca adapters tend to be more tolerant of that. But again, thats a big home you have. Good coverage is going to take a bit of work. 

[bobbydigital00]

Thanks for all responses. 

I have another question. In reviewing the Orbi devices. I see they have an Ethernet port output on the back of them.

If I am using the Orbi device to pair with my wireless router could I leverage the Ethernet port on the Orbi and connect to a switch to allow wired connectivity to devices that do not have wifi?

Update - I believe the Orbi is a wireless router itself and then I purchase the satellites. I could not pair the Orbi satellites with my Nighthawk router. Please confirm if this is true. 

Thanks for all responses. 

[FURRYe38]

Orbi satellites only pair and sync with Orbi routers. 

[bobbydigital00]

so could I use something like this - https://www.netgear.com/home/online-gaming/routers/xrm570/

Put the extender in the basement and connect the ethernet port to a switch, would this setup work?

[FURRYe38]

That is a EX7700 extender that comes with the XR series router. The extender when connected to ethernet would be in AP mode and would not be on a separate network. If you connected the XR router in the basement and configured it for router mode, then you would have wifi signal and be on a separate network. 

[bobbydigital00]

Got it. 

So lets say I keep my old router on 172.16.x.x

purchase a new router with an extender that has an Ethernet port. The new router would be lets say 192.168.x.x and I put the extender in the basement and connect the ethernet port on the extender to my switch in the basement would this setup work?

[FURRYe38]

You would need to connect the Extender to the new XR router via ethernet and again, this would be AP mode connected to the XR router thus would be on the XR series routers network thus would be a separate network from your main home primary network router. 

[bobbydigital00]

sorry if I am asking the same question twice. 

So with this setup it's not possible to connect the Extender to the switch. It sounds like i'm either connected to the wireless router via the ethernet port or wireless. 

[FURRYe38]

If you want the EX to be connected on a separate network, it would need to be ethernet connected to the XR router. You can use a switch in between the XR and EX if you need to. 

[bobbydigital00]

ok. so mapping this out. 

My new router is plugged into an available port on my switch at network 172.10.x.x this router is upstairs next to the Fiber Modem.

The Extender is in the basement, I then leverage the Ethernet port on the Extender and connect it to my switch to provide an internet gateway for the devices in the basement that do not have wireless capability. 

My old router is un-changed and remains on the current network of 192.168.x.x.

Does this sound right and/or doable?

Again, thanks for all responses. 

[FURRYe38]

As long as the extender is ethernet connected to the XR router for separate network, yes. 

[bobbydigital00]

Then it wont work. The Router will be upstairs and the Extender will be in the basement. I would have to connect the Extender using wireless. So basically I can't do both. I can't have the extender connected to the router wirelessly and then an Ethernet port from the Extender connected to a switch....

[FURRYe38 · Accepted solution]

No. 

[bobbydigital00]

Is there any setup that would accomplish this other than running cable down to the basement?