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Can I use a 2nd Nest Router as a Point in order to use its ethernet port for faster internet?

jayteescott
Community Member

I've got a Nest mesh with 1 Router (downstairs) and 2 Points (1 in the office upstairs). I can't add any additional cabling to move them around. 

My priority is getting max internet speed in the office, but by the time the office computer connects via wifi to the office Point, speed is massively lower than is coming into the house. 

If I swap the office Point for a 2nd Router, can I plug the computer into its ethernet port and get better speed?

Thank you!

@MichaelP 

1 Recommended Answer

MichaelP
Diamond Product Expert
Diamond Product Expert

Hello @jayteescott 

Yes, you can use another Nest WiFi Router unit as a point (when you set it up in the Google Home app, pretend you're looking for a new Nest WiFi Point). When you have it set up that way, then you can use either or both Ethernet ports to connect nearby equipment or connect an inexpensive unmanaged Ethernet switch to make even more ports available.

This will help in a couple of ways. First, the Nest WiFi Router units have AC2200 4x4 radios in them compared to the AC1200 2x2 radios in the Nest WiFi Point units. So, that will theoretically double the speed of the 5GHz link between the primary Nest WiFi Router and this new secondary Nest WiFi Router-as-Point.

Second, by using Ethernet to connect nearby clients, you're taking 50% of the traffic off that 5GHz channel. With the Nest WiFi Point in place, your clients were talking to it on 5GHz, and that traffic has to get turned around and sent back out on the same channel (through the same radio) between the Point and the primary Router.

So, we're doubling the speed of one of the hops, and replacing the other hop with Ethernet. The result should be significantly faster.

View Recommended Answer in original post

3 REPLIES 3

MichaelP
Diamond Product Expert
Diamond Product Expert

Hello @jayteescott 

Yes, you can use another Nest WiFi Router unit as a point (when you set it up in the Google Home app, pretend you're looking for a new Nest WiFi Point). When you have it set up that way, then you can use either or both Ethernet ports to connect nearby equipment or connect an inexpensive unmanaged Ethernet switch to make even more ports available.

This will help in a couple of ways. First, the Nest WiFi Router units have AC2200 4x4 radios in them compared to the AC1200 2x2 radios in the Nest WiFi Point units. So, that will theoretically double the speed of the 5GHz link between the primary Nest WiFi Router and this new secondary Nest WiFi Router-as-Point.

Second, by using Ethernet to connect nearby clients, you're taking 50% of the traffic off that 5GHz channel. With the Nest WiFi Point in place, your clients were talking to it on 5GHz, and that traffic has to get turned around and sent back out on the same channel (through the same radio) between the Point and the primary Router.

So, we're doubling the speed of one of the hops, and replacing the other hop with Ethernet. The result should be significantly faster.

@MichaelP you are a wizard! I've never had such a speedy, helpful and thoughtful response on any forum ever. Thank you. Keep up the excellent work!

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey, jayteescott.

It looks like you had yourself an @MichaelP experience. He truly is a wizard around here. I'm glad you were able to work this out! Thanks for coming back and letting us know it was resolved. As we have our answer here, I'm going to go ahead and close up the thread, but if you need anything else in the future, please feel free to open up a new discussion.

Thanks!