Compatible Access Point with Ethernet Port for Nest WiFi

[AmyVL]

I have a new Nest WiFi system. I didn't realize that the access points didn't have an ethernet port. What's up with that??

Is there a compatible mesh access point with an ethernet port, perhaps the Google Mesh? Or should I just return the Google Nest 3 pack and get another brand?

I work from home and get a faster, more stable connection with an ethernet cable and my ancient current TP-Link extender. But it has issues and I want one mesh WiFi system.

Thanks!

[MichaelP]

Hello @AmyVL 

The Google WiFi units have Ethernet ports and can be added as points to a Nest WiFi mesh. As for why the Nest WiFi Point units don't have Ethernet, that is most likely a result of them adding the smart speaker features to those units, which required a different chip (one that has audio hardware, but doesn't have Ethernet hardware).

That said, while connecting to a point via Ethernet is better than connecting to it via WiFi, it will still be carrying your traffic over WiFi once (rather than twice). So, if you can build a wired network off of the LAN Ethernet port on your Nest WiFi Router (using one or more inexpensive/unmanaged Ethernet switches), you will get even better performance than using a Google WiFi unit as a point.

[AmyVL]

Thanks, Michael. My Nest router is connected to my internet modem located in the center of my house. My office is in the back of my house and with an ethernet connection.

I currently connect my laptop to a TP-Link RE590T WiFi extender. I placed a Nest accent point in my office; however, it didn't provide as much speed on WiFi as I still get connected to the TP Link extender. Would this switch you're talking about work in place of my TP Link extender?  If so, could you recommend an Ethernet switch or point me in a direction? I really don't want to have to return the Nest system and start over if there is another option.

Thanks again, 

Amy

[idearat]

I would *not* recommend Google WiFi as your access point with ethernet.  I tried for day to get it to work, no luck.  I found other people reporting the same thing with no resolution.  Google advertises that Google WiFi works with Nest WiFi, but do not mention the ethernet does not work.

[MichaelP]

Hello @AmyVL 

A couple thoughts. First, if you place a Nest WiFi Point unit in an area where you are currently struggling to get good WiFi signal, it isn't going to help much because the Point unit needs a strong 5GHz WiFi connection for itself. The optimal placement advice for points is one or two rooms away from the primary Nest WiFi Router unit. From there, they can provide 2.4GHz and 5GHz coverage to more distant clients.

Second, regarding an Ethernet switch, it is not a WiFi device at all. It just takes the single "LAN" Ethernet port on the Nest WiFi Router unit and makes more Ethernet ports available from it. The idea there would be to have enough Ethernet cabling run to get from the Nest WiFi Router to your office (using one or more Ethernet switches to make more ports available where needed) so you'd be using Ethernet only instead of WiFi. This isn't terribly complicated, but you'd want to be comfortable with the concepts before diving in. As for an Ethernet switch, I typically buy inexpensive switches from Linksys, but right now, it looks like they don't have a great option for 5 port switches. The TP-Link TL-SG105 gets good ratings, though, and it's only $16 on Amazon at the moment. That said, you would only need a switch if you want to connect more than one thing to the Nest WiFi Router.

[AmyVL]

Thanks, Michael. My issue is there isn't enough crawl space to run the ethernet cable under the house from the modem to the office. That's why I'm forced to use WiFi in the office. The Nest router is only in the next room and I do have an access point in the office. It's only 20 feet or so from the Nest router.  I think I will just take the Nest system back and choose a system that has ports in its access points.

Thanks for all of your help and guidance.

Amy

[Jeff]

Hi, AmyVL.

Sorry we weren't able to find a solution that worked out for you on this, but I understand why you are going with a different setup for this. Big thanks to MichaelP for all his help and input here.

Before I mark this as closed, AmyVL, is there anything else you might need?

Thanks.

[AmyVL]

No, that’s it for me. Thanks again for the help!

[AmyVL]

What did you end up going with?

[idearat]

I've been trying to use my existing Google WiFi that's worked well for several years, but I've been unable to get it working.   I'm very annoyed since it was working until I reset it all to put in the Nest WiFi once I got FIOS.   My last attempt when I have several free hours and am OK with no internet during that time, will be to see if I can put the phone company supplied router in place and put it in bridge mode.  
The phone company gives you an eero Pro 6 mesh pair.  The mesh points are supposed to have ethernet ports.  That might work.  I'd have to buy one more to give me ethernet in the places I need it.

[idearat · Accepted solution]

Since Nest WiFi has no remote ethernet ports and Google WiFi's ethernet ports don't work with a Nest hub, I removed it all today.  I installed an Eero 6 Pro mesh pair I got from the phone company.  It's running now and I have ethernet connectivity in a second room.  
The good news is the ethernet port on the second device is giving my 500mb/s up/down where my WiFi laptop in the same room is giving me less than 200mb/s.
So far, so good.  

[AmyVL]

Sounds like the type of solution I need. Thanks for sharing!

[Jeff]

Hi, all.
As we got our resolution here, I'm going to mark this one as resolved. Thanks to all who helped and contributed. If anyone has any other needs, please feel free to open up a new thread.
Thanks!