topic Re: Mesh WiFi extension in Nest Wifi

Mesh WiFi extension

Paul14 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 19:00:18 GMT

Hi,

I've been use nest mesh system for years and really enjoyed it, but I'm now moving.

The house I'm moving to has a workshop at the bottom on a path (100 ft) that It would be helpful to have WiFi access for.

The workshop has power so I could place a point in there but I imagine the range would not be far enough.

Does anyone have any suggestions on linking them up effectively? I would rather not buy a whole new WiFi solution.

Thanks!

Re: Mesh WiFi extension

MichaelP — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 13:41:10 GMT

Hello @Paul14

Getting WiFi coverage to outbuildings (or even distant areas of large homes) is a challenge. The most reliable solution is to run an Ethernet cable to that structure and place an Ethernet-capable access point out there. A Google WiFi unit that has Ethernet ports can be added to your Nest WiFi system and connected back to the primary Nest WiFi Router unit's LAN Ethernet port (through a switched Ethernet network) to provide access beyond the range of the 5GHz mesh interconnect.

Here's a support page with more details on this: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en

My advice is to put an inexpensive Ethernet switch on each end of a long cable run like this, especially between two buildings, since that will help protect against power surges that may occur (replacing a couple of $20 Ethernet switches is a lot more attractive than having to replace more expensive WiFi access points).

Now, if you absolutely, positively, simply cannot run an Ethernet cable to the other building, there are some more expensive (and much more complex) solutions that use directional wireless half-bridges to create an Ethernet-equivalent. But, I don't recommend going down that path unless you really, really have to – and if you're not comfortable installing and configuring more complex equipment yourself, you would want to consider finding a firm that specializes in this (and be prepared to pay more for it).

Re: Mesh WiFi extension

Paul14 — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 14:43:29 GMT

Hi @MichaelP ,

Thanks for the advice I will most likely do that.

Kind regards

Paul

Re: Mesh WiFi extension

Jeff — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 15:57:25 GMT

Hey, Paul14.

It looks like MichaelP was able to help out here, so I wanted to follow up and see if you had everything you needed. If you still need some more input, let us know.

Thanks.

Re: Mesh WiFi extension

Jeff — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 16:32:10 GMT

Hi, all.

It looks like we got our resolution on this one. We'll be closing up the thread in the next day unless anybody needs anything else. If anybody needs more, just let me know.

Thanks,

- Jeff