Can the Mesh Wi-fi routers be used as a purely wireless system?

[wigglethorpe]

I run a full firewall between my internal network and I currently have a wireless mesh system as my primary wireless system.  Is it a requirement that the Nest Wifi-Pro be your router to the internet or does it have any settings to allow it to be part of an existing network as essentially a wireless access point for my network?

[Jeff]

Hey wigglethorpe,

The Nest WiFi Pro can't be added to an existing system and it would need to function as the main router for your wireless setup. Also, to extend the WiFi range, you would need additional Nest WiFi Pro points as they aren't compatible with other mesh network hardware systems. If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Thanks,
Jeff

[wigglethorpe]

I wasn't asking if it could be added to an existing wifi system.  I can't use it as the main router in my system because it wouldn't go through the wireless.  I also already have a DHCP server internally and having another one would be a disaster.  I would be replacing my current wireless system with the Nest Wi-Fi Pro, but I don't want it to be my primary internet access arbiter.  That falls to my firewall.  I just need it to be the wireless piece for my local network.  

[Jeff]

Ah, thanks for clarifying that wigglethorpe.

Yes, to complete setup, the Nest WiFi Pro needs to be acting as the main wireless router and plugged directly into your modem. While some configurations along the lines of what you're looking for might be possible, you're more than likely going to run into a host of unintended performance issues and possibly just not able to make it work outright. As it's designed, the setup for the Nest WiFi Pro, Google WiFi, and Nest WiFi mesh systems require the main point to act as your primary router. Let me know if that clears things up for you.

Thanks,
Jeff

[wigglethorpe]

Thanks.  That means it's not the right mesh system for my network layout at home or at work, for that matter.  Thank you for the answers.  I wanted to make sure before I took the plunge.

[Jeff]

No problem, wigglethorpe. I hope whatever direction you go works out well for you.

As we got our resolution here, I'm going to mark this one as resolved in the next 24 hours. If anyone has any other needs, please feel free to let me know before the lock.

Thanks,
Jeff