Google Nest WiFi - Router (H2D) Ethernet ports - Clarification

[OaklandJoe]

Hello,

At a customer site, I'm using multiple H2D routers as a mesh network. For the devices that are serving as just access points, can I use BOTH the LAN and WAN ethernet ports as LAN ports? If so, is there any configuration necessary to make the WAN port behave as a LAN port?

thanks,

Joe

[PatrickP_Viking · Accepted solution]

Hey @OaklandJoe .

The WAN port cannot be reconfigured as a LAN port. You can use a switch to expand the Ethernet ports available:

 Hardwire Nest Wifi Pro, Nest Wifi, or Google Wifi with Ethernet 

[OaklandJoe]

Hi Patrick,

thanks for this response. Reviewing the link you provided, however, it explicitly states, "Note: For a mesh point, either the WAN or LAN port can be used as a LAN port. Use a switch to add more LAN ports to hardwire your Wifi devices." (emphasis mine). 

I guess one way to read your response is that "no configuration is necessary - it just works". Is that what you meant, though? I assumed you meant, "it's not possible".

Since I don't have the equipment in front of me, I can't easily verify whether the wan port on a router being used as a mesh point can also behave as a normal lan port, as appears to be indicated by the article. 

[PatrickP_Viking]

Hey @OaklandJoe .

What that means is that you can connect either port on the main point to the WAN and it will automatically recognize it and the other port is then changed to a LAN port. Basically, one port will always be a WAN port and one a LAN port but both cannot be the same.

[OaklandJoe]

Aha! Many thanks. I will go back and install a switch then. (I think the article could be edited to be more explicit, fwiw. )

[OaklandJoe]

While I've got your attention: Are both ports the same speed? You mentioned that they can be used interchangeably, but it made me curious if only the WAN port supports higher throughput, for example. (It's not relevant to my original question per se)

[PatrickP_Viking]

Either port is capable of 1 Gbps speeds so there is no advantage using one port over another.