Ways to Connect Nest Wifi Router (*Not the Nest Wifi Point)

[wasabuhi1]

So, I am about to move soon. I have a modem/router which is the Netgear C7000 100NAS. It has 4 LAN ports. Now, I am planning to get 2 or 3 Nest Wifi routers (not the Nest Wifi Point) and I have an issue regarding how to connect them not wirelessly but using the Ethernet ports or hardwiring them. What I am thinking is that to connect these 2 or 3 Nest Wifi, I will directly connect each of these Nest Wifi to each LAN port in my modem/router. Would that work? 

[MichaelP]

Hello @wasabuhi1 

No, that will not work the way you want it to. One of the Nest WiFi Router units will be the "primary", which means it will be a router+firewall that creates a new "inner" network that the other Nest WiFi Router units ("secondaries") will be connected to. So, the primary Nest WiFi Router unit will be the only thing directly connected to your Netgear modem/router via Ethernet. Then, you'll just need to pick up an inexpensive unmanaged Ethernet switch, connect it to the primary Nest WiFi Router's LAN Ethernet port. The other ports on that switch can then be used to connect other wired devices on your network, including secondary Nest WiFi Router units.

[wasabuhi1]

It makes sense now! Also, could I still connect to my modem/router to access the internet meaning how it usually works before if did what you just told me or is it just the 2 nests that I could connect to? TY very much! 

[MichaelP]

I would recommend against connecting directly to the Netgear modem/router. If possible, I would disable the WiFi feature on it entirely, and ideally put it in "bridge" mode to avoid the "double NAT" (two firewalls back to back) that will otherwise occur. By disabling the WiFi on the Netgear, you can set up the Nest WiFi with the same network name (SSID) and password, so all of your existing WiFi devices will just connect to the new system automatically. Anything you connect to the Netgear's Ethernet ports will be on the "outer" network that it creates, and will have limited visibility to devices on the "inner" network your Nest WiFi Router creates. In short, you want to pretend that Netgear modem/router is just a modem (and if you can, configure it to really be just a modem).

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey folks, 

We appreciate your help here, @MichaelP.
@wasabuhi1, 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,
Mel

[wasabuhi1]

Hey! Sorry for the late question but I just want to make sure. Based on what you are saying, "The other ports on that switch can then be used to connect other wired devices on your network, including secondary Nest WiFi Router units" so I can still include a tertiary or a third Nest Wifi Router plugged on that switch, right? Once again, TY!

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi wasabuhi1,

Yes, you can still add a third Google Nest Wifi router as an access point.

Best,

Mel

[wasabuhi1]

Is your answer based on what Michael and I are previously discussing?

[Jeff]

Thanks, @MichaelP!

Hi wasabuhi1,

I just wanted to jump in real fast to see if you saw MichaelP's latest explanation 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

[Jeff]

Hey wasabuhi1,

I just wanted to follow up once more to see if you were still needing some help here. If so, just let us know.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Jeff]

Hey everyone,

It looks like we've slowed down here. We'll be closing up the thread in the next day 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

[MichaelP]

Hello @wasabuhi1 

We don't describe them as "tertiary" or "third" – they are all either "primary" (only one, the one connected to your internet service) or "secondary" (all the others, either connected via wireless mesh or via Ethernet to the primary's LAN Ethernet port). But, I'm just being pedantic. In short, yes, you can connect multiple secondary Nest WiFi Router units to your switched Ethernet network.