Setting up two nest routers on a single network

[wayne4tamica]

I currently have 1 Google Nest router with 1 wifi point. 

I need to connect my VMs to either network instead of wifi and I'm thinking of adding another Nest router to my network with a switch to connect Ethernet.

Is this possible?

[olavrb]

Yes it's possible. It's known as wired backhaul. Just don't try to mix Nest Wifi with Nest Wifi Pro, as Pro is not backwards compatible. And make sure to get an unmanaged switch without loop detection (STP).

Here's a diagram that shows how to wire it all up:

Here are some related guides on adding a switch and wired backhaul. Make sure to read what they say about the requirements for the switch:

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

[wayne4tamica]

Hi Olavrb,

I currently have my nest router plugged into an unmamaged switch connected to several wired devices in my home to include my security system. I also have a nest wifi point to cover the remainder of the house.

Unfortunately, my office does not have an ethernet port outlet so all the devices are connected via wifi.

What I'm hoping to achieve is to connect another router via wifi to the current network then connect the LAN port to an unmanaged switch. I've done it with LinkySys routers in the past.

Router # 1 will remain the dhcp server. If needed, I can do port forwarding on my modem.

[olavrb · Accepted solution]

Adding a second Nest Wifi router by wireless backhaul is also supported, it's also mentioned in the set up guide "Add a point or an additional router":

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9548301?hl=en

You say "I can do port forwarding on my modem": Means you're running double NAT. That's not recommended, Nest Wifi is known for having problems with it. More on why:

• https://dongknows.com/double-nat-vs-single-nat/ 
• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6277579?hl=en 

If you want to use Nest Wifi as intended I'd rather do:

• Modem in bridge mode -> Primary Nest Wifi router -> unmanaged switch -> wired devices in your home.
• Second wirelessly meshed Nest Wifi router -> unmanaged switch -> other wired devices.

Kind of like this, but with one more unmanaged switch connected to your second unit:

[wayne4tamica]

Hi Olavrb,

Thank you.