Nest Wifi Pro network setup

[AcesAreWild]

Hi there, 

So a couple questions about the Nest Wifi Pro mesh network.  I am thinking of getting three for the house but would just like to confirm a few things.

1) can you hardwire all 3 routers (for wired/ethernet backhaul)

2) where would a network switch go in the network tree? would you connect the modem to the first router, router to the switch, than switch to the other two routers (and other devices wanted on the same network)?

Thank you

[olavrb · Accepted solution]

1. Assuming Nest Wifi Pro works like Google Wifi and Nest Wifi router: Yes.

2. Modem -> Main Nest Wifi Pro puck -> Unmanaged switch -> Other wired devices, like secondary Nest Wifi Pro pucks.

Make sure you get an unmanaged switch with no fancy features like loop detection/ protection. A Netgear GS108 is what I use. 🙂

More relevant info:

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274262?hl=en
• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en 

[AcesAreWild]

Awesome thanks for the confirmation!

[Dan_A]

Hello again,

I'm just checking in to make sure that you've seen our response. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns as I will be locking this thread in 24 hours.

Best,

Dan

[TH3DAN]

Which port would be used on the 2 remaining Nest Wifi Pro Pucks? The WAN port on each or the LAN port on each? Any special config needed on those pucks after plugging them in? I currently have one of the Pros as the router. Its WAN port is connected to the modem, its LAN port is connected to a switch. I have ethernet hardwired from that switch into two other rooms in the house. I want to plug the two remaining Pros in (one per room) to backhaul wifi. Should they be connected via their LAN or WAN ports to accomplish this? Is any additional setup needed? Is there a way to verify that the hardwire is working and the unit is not attempting to route traffic across the mesh?

[TH3DAN]

I figured out my own answers through trial and error:
1. Use the LAN port.
2. The Connected Status will say "Mesh" when backhaul isn't working and "Wired" when it is.

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

@olavrb, thank you for the detailed information. There's not much I can add it's all there.

@DeaneG, goodluck! Replacing the Unifi switch with netgear might be the resolution we need since  STP on a managed switch into your Nest WiFi might not be good for the connection.
@AcesAreWild, @TH3DAN, are we doing good? Do you have any other questions or concerns?

Best,

Dan

[Dan_A]

Hi DeaneG,

Glad to hear that this has been sorted out and thanks for sharing your resolution in the Community. 

@AcesAreWild, TH3DAN, let me know if you have other questions and concerns. We're here to help.

Thanks,

Dan

[Dan_A]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to follow up and see if you still need 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.

Regards,

Dan

[Dan_A]

Hi folks,

@olavrb, thanks for the help.

@AcesAreWild, @TH3DAN, I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Have you had the chance to try the suggestion above? If yes, how is it?

Keep me posted.

Thanks,

Dan

[DeaneG]

I'm trying to do the same thing using a managed switch. The switch keeps shutting down the port that connects to the remote Nest Pro I'm trying to put in AP mode (RSTP blocking is enabled on that switch port) . So I wind up with a blocked switch port connected to the Nest Pro, and the Nest Pro chooses "Bridge" mode instead of "Wired". How can I force the second Nest Pro into AP mode (wired)? Turn off RSTP blocking on the switch port and let the packet storm happen? Or set it to "Wired" through the Home app (can't see how to do this)?

[olavrb]

Here are some info for you on why STP on a managed switch inside a Nest Wifi network might not be a good idea:

• https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/No-support-for-AP-mode-with-mesh/m-p/140947
• https://www.googlenestcommunity.com/t5/Nest-Wifi/Google-Nest-WIFI-Network-Management-and-in-convenie...
• https://www.reddit.com/r/GoogleWiFi/comments/qpurq8/guide_to_using_google_wifi_with_a_managed_switch...

[DeaneG]

Thank you! I disabled RSTP on the appropriate ports on my Unifi switches, but still had problems. Connected the two Nest Pro points together with a dumb Netgear switch, then connected that Netgear switch to my main Unifi switch, and all worked well, after several hours of pulling hair. I'll try replacing the Unifi switch altogether tomorrow with Netgear and see if my luck holds.

[DeaneG]

I replaced my unifi managed switches with Netgear GS108E and GS108PE, and all is well.