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Using a switch downstream from GN Pro Router

Gale
Community Member

From what I read on the Google Nest router & mesh installations, I should be able to do this:
Modem>Nest Pro Router>switch>Nest Pro Router>Nest Pro Router. (All ethernet connected) Also connected to the switch are ethernet to two PC's and two printers. So, I set this up last night, and it worked.........
However.... the system worked for a few minutes until I started adding the wifi Nest Cameras (old camera's that previously worked fine with cheap wifi extenders from cheap wifi router). Then everything crashed. No internet was going through the switch to the wired backhauled Nest Pro routers (acting as Points). The attempt to connect the Nest Cams, I think, was just coincidental, because they would work, and then not work. It was CRAZY.
So... after working on this for over four hours last night, I ended up setting up a FOURTH Nest Pro Router/Point (six feet away from the main router), Wi-Fi connected to the MAIN Nest Pro Router (the one connected to the modem), and then connected my necessary switch to that new wireless router, leaving the wired backhaul routers connected, via ethernet to the main NPR. This system was stable for the last seven hours, but it's stupid to have TWO Nest Pro Routers, side by side to run my system.
Why isn't the desired set up, described at the beginning of my post, able to work? I'm not finding any reasons why this shouldn't work.... not on Google Help nor on YouTube Videos. (I did learn about the iOS Point Relay crap that slowed me down too.)
I welcome any advice or suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong to use a switch, downstream from the main Nest Pro Router, to connect downstream Routers and other devices (PC's, etc. ).
Thank you in advance for your time.

7 REPLIES 7

MichaelP
Diamond Product Expert
Diamond Product Expert

Hello @Gale 

You should absolutely be able to built a switched Ethernet network from the primary unit's LAN Ethernet port. Can I ask what type of switch you are using? I'm wondering if it happens to be a smart/managed switch that may have loop detection (spanning tree protocol – STP) enabled. That can interfere with Google/Nest WiFi (including Nest WiFi Pro) networks in ways that cause very strange behavior.

Gale
Community Member

Ah… yes… it is a TP-Link Smart Ethernet Switch.  Not sure what is smart about it though other than it knows which port is input and which ones are output.  If I get a plain non-smart switch, woukd that help?

This is link to switch that I am using.  
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sku/2080049.p?skuId=2080049

MichaelP
Diamond Product Expert
Diamond Product Expert

Yeah, it looks like that switch does have loop prevention. You should be able to configure it to disable that feature, though. That would be worth a try before spending money to replace it. That can be somewhat daunting, but if you're comfortable with connecting to and configuring something like this, it's what I would do.

Jeff
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hi Gale,

I just wanted to jump in real fast to see if you saw MichaelP's latest reply and to see if you still needed some help on this or if you were able to get it sorted out. If you are still needing some help, just let us know and we'll be happy to continue helping.

Thanks,
Jeff

Gale
Community Member

THANK YOU ALL.  I purchased an unmanaged switch ( needed more Ethernet ports anyways) and swapped that with the manager switch and everything is working perfectly.  👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Gale
Community Member

Thank you!!!   Did a swap with an unmanaged switch and everything is working perfectly!!!!

AbigailF
Community Specialist
Community Specialist

Hey Gale, 

Awesome — glad to hear that your issue is fixed. It looks like we can consider this one complete, so I will lock the thread shortly unless I can help out with anything else. 

Best, 
Abi