Ethernet cables and the X6 AC2200 range extender

[Bobbm2]

Hello all,

I have just bought a new house but my new garage/workshop is too far away to receive a wifi signal directly from the router or via the extender. I have a shed load of ethernet cable and am wondering if I can connect my Netgear range extender (X6 AC2200) directly to my router with this cable? I have not moved in yet but have been trying to find information on-line about this issue but can't find anything. I'm not an expert at networking but would appreciate some simple instructions.

Many thanks,

Bob

[plemans · Accepted solution]

The EX7700 is a pretty rock solid extender. 

Unless you have wifi 6 (AX) devices, the EX7700 is still going to be one of the best performing extenders/access points out there. 

And when wired in, its triband. So its got plenty of bandwidth. 

Like I said, unless you're looking at going wifi 6 and its meeting your needs, I'd keep using it. 

[plemans]

What AC2200 is it? (AC2200 is a speed not a model)

Most of the range extenders have an access point mode that lets you wire them into the router. 

If you go to the support site and type in your model number, it'll take you to guides/manuals/firmware. If yours supports access point mode, it'll be in the manual. 

Go to https://www.netgear.com/support/
Type in your model number and from there it'll take you to the above.
Its a great resource to start with.

[Bobbm2]

Thanks for the super fast reply plemens. It's an EX7700 model. I've had a look through everything but can't work out how to set it up as an access point on the Netgear Nighthawk app. It doesn't ask me, like it says it should, if I want to set up an access point. Should I reset the extender and have another go? Would it be easier if I set up a different Wi-fi SSID?

[plemans]

to set it up in access point mode, use the installation assistant and not the app. 

That'll give you the option of setting up in extender mode or access point mode

[Bobbm2]

Hi Plemens. I tried setting up using your suggestion. Plugged in two different Ethernet cables, made sure that the one going to the router was in the WAN socket, used both sockets on the extender, logged in to the extended network at 2.4G and 5G and pressed the button saying to set up in access point mode. But kept on getting the same, 'cannot connect to the internet' message. I really have no idea what I'm doing wrong. I'm not a dummy when it comes to PCs but this is driving me nuts. It should be so simple.

Bob

[plemans]

The EX7700 shouldn't be plugged into a wan port on the router/gateway. 

It should go from the Lan port on the router to a port on the EX7700.

If the 2nd connection you have hooked up is going to the pc you're using for setup, thats fine. If not, disconnect it. 

What router are you connecting it to? 

[Bobbm2]

Hello Plemens.

Your suggestions have been great. Thank you so much. I'm not sure why I was plugging the cable into the WAN port. I really ought to know better.
The router is an ASUS AX82U and everything is working very well now.

I have had the extender for a few years now. Should I maybe get an upgrade?

Anyway, thanks again for your help 😊

[plemans · Accepted solution]

The EX7700 is a pretty rock solid extender. 

Unless you have wifi 6 (AX) devices, the EX7700 is still going to be one of the best performing extenders/access points out there. 

And when wired in, its triband. So its got plenty of bandwidth. 

Like I said, unless you're looking at going wifi 6 and its meeting your needs, I'd keep using it. 

[Bobbm2]

Once again, many thanks.