Hello! I am trying to set up the Eero Pro 6E. I have cat6 ports throughout the house to connect these devices to. My plan is: Modem -> XR500 -> Switch -> Eeero Pro 6E (3 in total).
In order for this to work, my understanding is that I need to put the XR500 into bridge mode. However, I cannot figure out how to do this. In the admin settings, I can only find the option for AP mode, which I do not believe is the same. Is there something that I am misunderstanding?
In order for this to work, my understanding is that I need to put the XR500 into bridge mode. However, I cannot figure out how to do this. In the admin settings, I can only find the option for AP mode, which I do not believe is the same. Is there something that I am misunderstanding?
Bridge mode is a widely misused term that means different things in different circumstances.
It can apply to a modem/router with the router bit turned off, or it can apply to a router set up as wireless bridge (repeater) to another router.
Not all routers play nicely as wifi repeaters. That's why you won't see it in the manual for the XR500.
In your case, start with the modem/router, gateway or optical network termination (ONT) that connects you to the Internet. If that is also a router, you need to work out what to do with the XR500 router. Then you tackle the Eero Pro 6E.
Do you plan to wire the XR500 and the Eero router? That should be easy with your Ethernet wiring. I suspect that talks of bridge mode is a red herring.
Do you want the XR500 to manage your network or the Eero router? If not, what is the point of having the XR500 router in there?
If the idea is to use the XR500 and its gaming features, the most straightforward setup would be:
Modem > XR500 as router > Switch > Eero router in AP mode.
But that depends on what you plan to use for wifi.
If you can just remove the XR500 and use the Eero, life would be simpler.
The good news is that with cat6 ports throughout the house, you should be able to forget about the wireless repeater (bridge mode) bit and just put the Eero in AP mode.
You could also turn off the wifi from XR500, depending on what you want to connect to what.
In other words it boils down to what you want your network to look like.
In order for this to work, my understanding is that I need to put the XR500 into bridge mode. However, I cannot figure out how to do this. In the admin settings, I can only find the option for AP mode, which I do not believe is the same. Is there something that I am misunderstanding?
Bridge mode is a widely misused term that means different things in different circumstances.
It can apply to a modem/router with the router bit turned off, or it can apply to a router set up as wireless bridge (repeater) to another router.
Not all routers play nicely as wifi repeaters. That's why you won't see it in the manual for the XR500.
In your case, start with the modem/router, gateway or optical network termination (ONT) that connects you to the Internet. If that is also a router, you need to work out what to do with the XR500 router. Then you tackle the Eero Pro 6E.
Do you plan to wire the XR500 and the Eero router? That should be easy with your Ethernet wiring. I suspect that talks of bridge mode is a red herring.
Do you want the XR500 to manage your network or the Eero router? If not, what is the point of having the XR500 router in there?
If the idea is to use the XR500 and its gaming features, the most straightforward setup would be:
Modem > XR500 as router > Switch > Eero router in AP mode.
But that depends on what you plan to use for wifi.
If you can just remove the XR500 and use the Eero, life would be simpler.
The good news is that with cat6 ports throughout the house, you should be able to forget about the wireless repeater (bridge mode) bit and just put the Eero in AP mode.
You could also turn off the wifi from XR500, depending on what you want to connect to what.
In other words it boils down to what you want your network to look like.
Thank you for your feedback. I convinced myself of a needlessly complex solution because I already had the equipment and didn’t want it to go to waste. Ultimately decided to just install the three Eeros and put the nighthawk router in a box for now.
@geemzee wrote: Ultimately decided to just install the three Eeros and put the nighthawk router in a box for now.
Probably a good move. The simpler the better is usually a good idea.
I didn't mention it, but if you ever used the XR500 to connect USB drives to your network, then that still works in AP mode, plugged into the Eero network downstream of the router.
ReadySHARE is not the best way to connect storage but it has its uses.
Sounds like you've come to a decision on how to set this up. I suppose it really depends on what you wanted to use the XR for, i.e. did you want it to use the Geo-Filter for example. If you just wanted to use it because you have it then yes the solution you've decided on is the best move.
