Can I use wifi router as a switch?

Can i disable the wifi and the DHCP table to use the router as a switch?

antinode
Oct 18, 2020
> All done. [...]

   _What_, exactly?

> I am worried that the status says DHCP ON

   I'd guess that that's accurate only if the router is acting as a
router, not when it's configured as a WAP.

> The Genie offered to use the Netgear as an AP

   After a settings reset, if it sees a private address on its
WAN/Internet interface, then it might draw the correct conclusion
automatically.

> I kept SSID broadcast on recommendation. [...]

   That doesn't matter much if the radio is disabled. The point was
that "Enable SSID Broadcast" and "Enable Wireless Router Radio" do
different things.

> So DHCP organises the different ports? [...]

   I'd say "connected devices", not "ports".

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Host_Configuration_Protocol

> I had problems in the past with WAP acting like a router and
> distributing weird IP addresses on our network.

   Generally, you want one DHCP server per LAN. Multiple uncoordinated
DHCP servers can cause many problems. Which is why the one-step WAP
mode option disables the DHCP server. (And, why you would need to
disable it explictitly, if you don't use the one-step WAP mode option.)

   So, it works as expected now? (What could go wrong?)

   Possibly interesting:

      https://kb.netgear.com/26765

Dan32
Apprentice
Oct 16, 2020
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if you are setting it up a Netgear router as an Access Point, then in most Netgear routers, you need to go into ADVANCED SETUP then WIRELESS SETTINGs and can uncheck 'ENABLE WIRELESS RADIO' on both bands (or more if tri-band).

With real switches costing under $20 (USD/CAD), you're better off just buying a switch unless you intend to turn the wireless radios on occassionally.
- antinode
  Guru
  Oct 17, 2020
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  > I turned off wifi, DHCP table and still see "operation mode: router"
  > and
  > "Wireless AP ON"
  
     How, exactly, did you "[turn] off wifi, DHCP table"? See "As usual,
  [...]", above. My psychic powers remain very weak.
  
  > [...] still see [...]"
  
     Where, exactly, do you see what, exactly?
  
  > See picts.
  
     I see one, which tells me very little. "Enable SSID Broadcast" and
  "Enable Wireless Router Radio" are spelled differently for a reason.
  
     Remember this?:
  
  > [...] Look for "Use the Router as a Wireless Access Point". [...]
  
     Did you? Did you do what it says there? (Why not?)
  
  > [...] you need to [...]
  
     Not really. It's possible to do it the hard way, but there are some
  advantages to following the instructions.
  
  > [...] on both bands [...]
  
  > Model: WNR2000v5|N300 WiFi Router
  - swaasje
    Aspirant
    Oct 17, 2020
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    > I turned off wifi, DHCP table and still see "operation mode: router"
    > and
    > "Wireless AP ON"
    
       How, exactly, did you "[turn] off wifi, DHCP table"? See "As usual,
    [...]", above. My psychic powers remain very weak.
    In "Setup" "LanSetup" there's the option to turn the DHCP table off.
    So the Netgear should not show (on the pict) "Operation Mode: Router"?
    "Connection" (on the pict) should not show "DHCP" or is it from my main router?
    
    > [...] still see [...]"
    
       Where, exactly, do you see what, exactly?
    
    > See picts.
    
       I see one, which tells me very little. "Enable SSID Broadcast" and
    "Enable Wireless Router Radio" are spelled differently for a reason.
    SSID doesn't mean much does it? if I don't use the Netgear as an AP, nobody will notice if it has a SSID or not?
       Remember this?:
    Same with fixing IP. Either fixing not fixing would not change anything to the use of the Netgear as a switch?
    > [...] Look for "Use the Router as a Wireless Access Point". [...]
    
       Did you? Did you do what it says there? (Why not?)
    Actually,
    "Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > Wireless AP." doesn't say much?! I don't want the Netgear to be an AP but a switch. If AP means wifi Access Point
    
    > [...] you need to [...]
    
       Not really. It's possible to do it the hard way, but there are some
    advantages to following the instructions.
    
    > [...] on both bands [...]
    
    > Model: WNR2000v5|N300 WiFi Router

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Can I use wifi router as a switch?