Google wifi with existing Netgear router?

[HEV]

First time Google wifi user.  4 google points.  1st will connect to modem and act as router for others.  understanding from google support is all wifi enabled devices will now use G wifi and old router would simply provide service to wired devices such as desk top.  Saw on another thread that the GP connected to modem can also connect to desktop with ethernet cable.  Does this mean the old router is no longer needed, redundant or potentially a problem?

[Jeff]

Hi, HEV.

Thanks for reaching out with your question. I will be happy to talk that through with you. When you pick up a Google or Nest WiFi system, it will indeed replace your current router. You still need a modem, but the router is no longer necessary. And yes, you can hardwire devices to the Google WiFi router if you need to or even run a switch to hardwire multiple devices. Hopefully that answers your question. If you need anything else or need more info, please let me know.

Thanks.

[HEV]

Many thanks Jeff. I will give it a shot.

Haywood

[Jeff]

Ok cool, HEV.

If you have any issues beyond that, just let me know and we'll keep trying additional troubleshooting.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, HEV.

Just following up real fast to see if you still needed any help on this and if there was anything more I could do for you. If so, just let me know.

Thanks.

[HEV]

Hello Jeff.  Thanks for persisting.  I do have a follow-up question - I currently have an ATT Modem for the internet service, NetGear router, which I have used for several years and the Google Wifi solution mentioned previously (one pt acting as router and three other pts extending the mesh throughout my house).  Wifi working better than ever before in a 1928 era house with plaster walls and two stories.  My remaining question follows.  

When I initially chatted with Google help and then in this community, the suggestion was I could remove the NetGear router from the wifi set up, but the person from Google suggested it still be used in the link b/w Google pt/router and our desktop, the desktop being the only wired device on the system.  When I first set up Google wifi mesh and disconnected Netgear, the performance of the mesh seemed impacted, so I plugged it back into modem and left it.  Since then, all seems to be fine.  I did, upon someone's suggestion, name the new Google wifi mesh the same as the netgear wifi with same id/PW so that every device we have would connect with out reentering the id/PW.  So, Google and Netgear connected to modem ethernet ports and Netgear further connected to desktop.  All systems seem to be working fine, but both ethernet connections to modem and the modem's connection to att wall unit where service enters room are blinking orange.  Thoughts?  Thanks,  HEV

[Jeff]

Hi, HEV.

Those ports showing orange have devices connected, or are they open ports right now? If you plug into a port that's orange, do you get an active connection or is it completely without Internet connection? Status lights showing orange on most devices indicate no Internet connection present, but it can vary by make and model or modem or router.

Thanks.

[HEV]

Plugged into orange.  Have active service.

[Jeff]

Hmmm, that's really odd, HEV.

I'm wondering if there's something going on with the device showing orange, but if everything is working, it must be a false report of a disconnect. Very strange, indeed.

[Jeff]

Hi, HEV.

It's been a while since we touched on this. I wanted to check in to see if you were able to get this sorted out or if things were still as we left them. Let me know if you still need some help on this and I'll be happy to pick up and work with you on this again.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hey, nateasoflate.

This is just an idea, but you could set up the LTE network with a different SSID and password. The only real roadblock you would run into is ensuring that your devices are connecting to the main network as the priority network and falling back to the LTE network only when the main isn't available. Other than that, you could set them both up with the same SSID and password and only plug the LTE modem/router in when the main network was having any sort of issue.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, HEV.
I just wanted to check in real fast to see if you saw my reply and to find out if you still needed any help on this. If you're still needing assistance, please just let me know and I'll be happy to continue helping.
Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hey, everyone.
It looks like we've slowed down here again. We'll be closing up the thread unless anyone else has any input or needs anything else. If so, just let me know and we can keep this open a bit longer.
Thanks.

[Jeff]

Hi, everyone.
As we haven't had any activity here recently I'm going to go ahead and close the thread. If you have more to add, feel free to start a new discussion.
Thanks

[nateasoflate]

I have a related but separate question... I have 2 Nest routers and 2 Nest points. I also use Google Fi, and can get a data-only SIM card through that, and would like to get a LTE router (e.g. Netgear LTE) to add to the mix as an internet backup if our normal service drops... Thoughts on the proper way to setup without causing issues (e.g. double NAT) and allow for the LTE to take over when the normal connection drops?