× Introducing the Orbi 970 Series Mesh System with WiFi 7 technology. For more information visit the NETGEAR Press Room.
Orbi WiFi 7 RBE973
Reply

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

wilcoxmj
Aspirant

Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

Hi,

 

I have a RAX120 which provides great wireless signal inside my house - no complaints there.  However outside the house I have next to no signal, which is challenging for my wireless security cameras, and wanting to get a signal into my workshop (seperate from house).

 

My question is, can i add in an external AP with a PoE injector to one of the LAN ports on my RAX120?  Unfortunately hard cabling out to my workshop isnt an option. And I am unable to move the RAX120 location, due to the proximity of the NBN entry to my house.

 

Thanks in advance

Model: RAX120|Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream WiFi Router
Message 1 of 9
microchip8
Master

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

The RAX120 does not have PoE LAN ports, if I understand your question correctly

Message 2 of 9
wilcoxmj
Aspirant

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

Yes - I know it doesn’t have PoE LAN ports, however would an external antennae with a PoE injector work for me to put an external/outdoor access point on the Wi-Fi network
Model: RAX120|Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream WiFi Router
Message 3 of 9
microchip8
Master

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

Should work

Message 4 of 9

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120


@wilcoxmj wrote:

 

My question is, can i add in an external AP with a PoE injector to one of the LAN ports on my RAX120?  Unfortunately hard cabling out to my workshop isnt an option. And I am unable to move the RAX120 location, due to the proximity of the NBN entry to my house.

 


It might be safer, and simpler, to investigate Powerline Ethernet and, if you need wifi, to put a wireless access point on the remote plug. You can even  by Powerline plugs that have a built in AP.

 

I have an Orbi in AP mode at the remote end of a Powerline network. Works fine.

 

 

Message 5 of 9
antinode
Guru

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

> Should work

 

   I don't see why it would cause any special problems.  Whether it
would solve the basic problem is a different question.

 

> [...] Unfortunately hard cabling out to my workshop isnt an option.
> [...]

 

   So, without "hard cabling", what, exactly, would the "an external AP"
be buying you?  Shorter distance to the still-remote "workshop"?

 


> It might be safer, and simpler, to investigate Powerline Ethernet
> [...]

 

   How/why, exactly, would that be "safer" or "simpler"?  It might be
more _effective_ in getting a wired network connection in the
"workshop".

Message 6 of 9
wilcoxmj
Aspirant

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

Thanks - not knowing a great deal about powerline, would it still be applicable if the sockets are on completely different electrical circuits? (I’m guessing the answer is no)
Model: RAX120|Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream WiFi Router
Message 7 of 9
wilcoxmj
Aspirant

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

In short yes - a shorter distance to the workshop, I can hard cable from the router to the edge of the house, but can’t get across the 10m of gap without stringing a catenary wire or going underground.
Model: RAX120|Nighthawk AX12 12-Stream WiFi Router
Message 8 of 9
antinode
Guru

Re: Can I add an external PoE Access Point to a RAX120

> [...] not knowing a great deal about powerline, would it still be
> applicable if the sockets are on completely different electrical
> circuits? (I'm guessing the answer is no)

 

   Define "completely different".  They don't need to be on the same
circuit breaker.

 

   Around here, (120V+120V), there might be some advantage to both being
on the same side of the 240V.  "NBN" suggests that that might not be a
concern in your neighborhood.

 

   In general, without an actual test/experiment, it's tough to predict
how well they'll perform.  One anecdote: I have a friend in a
hundred-year-old brick house with two different pairs of Powerline
adapters running between basement (router) and two floors up (wireless
access points).  We have no idea which circuit anything is on, and I
don't recall anyone doing any speed measurements, but the TVs in the
bedrooms seem to operate.

 


> In short yes [...]


   Radio through exterior walls is far from guaranteed, too.

 

   I'd be tempted to run the Powerline experiment.  If your requirements
are basic, then the kit with one plain adapter and one WAP-adapter
(suggested above) might be simpler than anything else.  But even a pair
of plain adapters (and some old router-as-WAP?) might be a relatively
low-budget way to run a test.

Message 9 of 9
Top Contributors
Discussion stats
  • 8 replies
  • 1571 views
  • 0 kudos
  • 4 in conversation
Announcements

Orbi WiFi 7