cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Replies are disabled for this topic. Start a new one or visit our Help Center.

Extending Google Wi-Fi

Broomy
Community Member

Hello! First time here, I am looking to extend my Google Wi-Fi network to accommodate an outbuilding in my garden.

My thoughts here are to run a CAT6 insulated cable along with the electric cable, now in my simple approach to this I was hoping I would need to just buy two more Google Wi-Fi units and connect them together, one in the house and the other in the outbuilding, run through the setup on the app and away we go. But, as I’ve done my research I’ve seen a few people say that I’d need a connection into the hub that’s connected to my modem, I’m not sure this is accurate as in my mind I’m just extending my network with additional points, irrespective of whether two are talking via a wired connection? The approach I’m talking about here would mean I’ll have a network made up of 5 Wi-Fi points (including the main hub connected to my router).

 

welcome any feedback/validation of my logic! Thanks.

1 Recommended Answer

olavrb
Platinum Product Expert
Platinum Product Expert

Modem -> Google Wifi -> Unmanaged switch -> All other Google Wifi points by ethernet cable will work.

Best practice is to go either all wired backhaul, or all wireless, because mesh (802.11s) doesn't travel by ethernet/ wire. Read a lot more about it here:


I don't work for Google.

View Recommended Answer in original post

9 REPLIES 9

olavrb
Platinum Product Expert
Platinum Product Expert

Modem -> Google Wifi -> Unmanaged switch -> All other Google Wifi points by ethernet cable will work.

Best practice is to go either all wired backhaul, or all wireless, because mesh (802.11s) doesn't travel by ethernet/ wire. Read a lot more about it here:


I don't work for Google.

Broomy
Community Member

Thanks olavrb. 

if I understand this correctly, I’ll need to buy two unmanaged switches, one for the new outbuilding and one for my house to connect the Google Wi-Fi hubs together. I’ve summarised below…

Outbuilding - CAT 5 or 6 plugged into an unmanaged switch, CAT5 cable plugged into Google WiFi unit, this should extend the Wi-Fi coverage in the new outbuilding and have a hard wire link back to the main house/network 

Existing house - CAT 5 or 6 plugged into an unmanaged switch, CAT5 cable plugged into Google Wi-Fi unit connected to the main house network 

 

does this make sense? Am I on the right track or not? Thanks. 

stgubala1
Community Member

@Broomy wrote:

Thanks olavrb. 

if I understand this correctly, I’ll need to buy two unmanaged switches, one for the new outbuilding and one for my house to connect the Google Wi-Fi hubs together. I’ve summarised below…

Outbuilding - CAT 5 or 6 plugged into an unmanaged switch, CAT5 cable plugged into Google WiFi unit, this should extend the Wi-Fi coverage in the new outbuilding and have a hard wire link back to the main house/network 

Existing house - CAT 5 or 6 plugged into an unmanaged switch, CAT5 cable plugged into Google Wi-Fi unit connected to the main house network 

 

does this make sense? Am I on the right track or not? Thanks. 


That is basically it.  Just depending if you needed more than one wired connection in the out building would determine in you need the second hub.

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Thanks for the added input, stgubala1.

Does that help explain things a bit better, Broomy? Have you had a chance to try that out yet?

Thanks.

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey again, Broomy.

I just wanted to follow up again to see if you were still needing some help on this.

Thanks.

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi, everyone.
Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.
Thanks.

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi, Broomy.
I just wanted to jump in real fast to see if you saw olavrb's reply and to see if you still needed some help on this or if you were able to get it sorted out. If you are still needing some help, just let us know and we'll be happy to continue helping.
Thanks.

stgubala1
Community Member

Think of it this way.  The nest wifi points do not have Ethernet ports.  They extend over wifi only.   If you have a long distance to extend and want to use cat6 you need two nest.   routers.  I have this for several troublesome links.

 

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi, Broomy.

I just wanted to check in once more to see if you were all set or to see if you needed anything else. If you still need some input, just let us know.

Thanks.