How do I get the Nest WIFI Routers be points?

[FBS32]

Hi there, I have 3 Nest WIFI Routers and 3 access Points.  Photo below shows 1 router and 2 points, but I would like to utilize the 3 routers and 3 points that I have to maximize my coverage....its a big house on three floors.  I have my Telus modem connected to one router to send out my own WIFI.  I can add the points easily enough but should the routers be used with a cat5 connection to either the WAN or LAN ports and then push out the WIFI signal?   I am able to add all the routers and points on my network wirelessly but would like to know if I should use cat5 connections for the two other routers??  Thanks for your help!  Cheers, Colin

[samshaw]

Yup, I have the exact same question. Can I get new Google Nest Wifi Pro ? I am looking at 4 devices , and hoping to have them setup as Access Points vs Mesh. I have all 4 of them Wired connection over Cat6.

Please let us know. Many thanks - 

[olavrb]

Nest Wifi Pro isn't backwards compatible:

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/12353201?hl=en

But supports what's known as "wired backhaul", just like Google Wifi and Nest Wifi routers.

• Specs on the various units: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6280668?hl=en
• About wired backhaul: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en
• Add more LAN ports by adding an unmanaged switch: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274262?hl=en

How to wire up wired backhaul properly:

[olavrb]

There's a few things you should know about here, before going for wired backhaul.

First, it's not recommended to mix wired backhaul (ethernet cable connected Nest Wifi units) and wireless backhaul. This is because mesh (802.11s) does not travel over ethernet. Mixing backhaul can cause looping issues.

Second, yes Nest Wifi router supports wired backhaul. Setting up a Nest Wifi router as a secondary should be just as setting up a Nest Wifi point. You can even set it up wirelessly first, then connect it by ethernet afterwards.

Third, the maximum recommended amount of Nest Wifi units is five. If wired backhaul only, you can push this further. But the general advice is; the fewer the better. This is due to the additional overhead (Nest Wifi units talking to each other to keep the mesh up) and additional wireless interference introduced by every additional unit. More on that:

• How many should you have: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7182840?hl=en
• Placement: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7183150?hl=en 

Here are some info from Google:

• About wired backhaul: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en
• Add more LAN ports by adding an unmanaged switch: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274262?hl=en

And a diagram I've made to show how wired backhaul should be wired up:

If a Nest Wifi secondary unit is connected by ethernet and the backhaul is indeed going over the ethernet cable, you'll be able to see it in the Google Home app by going to the unit in question, then settings (icon). It should say "Connection type: Wired" if I remember correctly.

[samshaw]

Thank you @olavrb , appreciate very detailed explanation. Just confirming few thing ( some seems obvious, nonetheless doesn't hurt to ask 🙂 ),

1) the end-devices would still connect to access points via wi-fi and not wired ethernet, correct ?

2) Are there any good mounting brackets that I can use to mount access point in ceiling ? Can you PoE (Power on Ethernet) these access point vice direct power?

3) Lastly, I assume that Nest wi-fi pro is backward compatible for older wi-fi bands ( i.e. end-devices can connect over 2.4G, 5G and 6E bands?)

Many thanks again!!

[olavrb]

You're welcome. 🙂

1. Yes, wired secondary Nest Wifi units will also broadcast Wi-Fi for wireless clients, but you can also connect clients to them by ethernet.

2. No official mounts, and no official PoE solutions. But there exists PoE splitters that might do the job. This has been discussed earlier, mostly on Reddit I think. Do some searching, but here is an example:

• https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleWiFi/comments/duh1wg/nest_wifi_setup_with_poe

And here are power specs:

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6280668?hl=en

3. Yes, correct. Nest Wifi Pro is not backward compatible with Nest Wifi and Google Wifi, that's the important part.

[samshaw]

Thank you again @olavrb 

Clarifying a bit on #3 , Nest wi-fi pro will still work with older bands like 2.4GHZ and 5GHZ? As I don't have all devices that will support new 6E.

3) Lastly, I assume that Nest wi-fi pro is backward compatible for older wi-fi bands ( i.e. end-devices can connect over 2.4G, 5G and 6E bands?)

Many thanks - 

[olavrb]

Yes yes. See specs:

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6280668?hl=en

It says that it's triband (2.4, 5 and 6 ghz), and supports older Wi-Fi standards (802.11a,b,g,n,ac,ax).

[samshaw]

Thank you so much @olavrb .

[samshaw]

Hello @olavrb ,

From what I can tell with Google Wi-fi Pro 6E,

1) The main router and access points are same device ( no separation between main router and access points anymore)? 

2) There is no native VPN support in Wi-Fi Pro 6E. If I need VPN , I could set it up externally and then pass the traffic from VPN device --> Google router --> switch --> Access Points ( for Wired backhaul).

3) In your schematic switch can be managed or unmanaged? And what is the minimum port speed support ( 1G , 10G etc).

Many thanks as always!

[olavrb]

1. Correct, all Nest Wifi Pro units are identical.

2. Correct, no native VPN support.

3. Unmanaged with no loop detection/prevention features, like STP (spanning tree protocol). Gigabit or higher, all Google Wifi and Nest Wifi units have gigabit ports.

[AbigailF]

Hey folks,

Thanks for lending a hand, @olavrb.

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let me know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.
 

Thanks,

Abi

[LovelyM]

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[LovelyM]

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