WiFi mesh and existing router

[YNS]

Hi all , just set up the best wifi mesh. I have the router connected to my Vodafone broadband router. My question is the Vodafone wifi network still works. Is this correct or should I be switching off the voda wifi on the router somewhere?

My Vodafone package is the full fibre FTTP one so I’m not sure if I should even be connecting the nest router to the voda router? Or should I be connecting direct to the wall unit?

sorry I’m not very technical so any help appreciated 

[Beenpierced]

Your Google nest WiFi primary point should be connected to your MODEM. You should not use other brands of router with Google mesh systems. 

[YNS]

Yeah but my Vodafone modem and router are the same device.  What should I do in this instance? 

[NOBBY0_15]

I had same. Either disable DHCP in wifi settings on the Voda (turning the Voda into bridge/modem mode) or as I did bin the Voda and go get a standalone modem. I recollect I did later as the Nest Wifi did not support Mesh mode when connected to another router. ie: I could not add a Nest wifi point to network.

[cwskas]

Hmmm, this may be my problem.  I have a T-mobile cellular modem which works quite well for devices connected to it's wifi network.

However, I have a home office that is at the other end of the house and need to extend my wifi network to get better wifi at the home office.  Scrapping the T-mobile modem is not an option for me.

I purchased 2 Nest routers at the suggestion of T-Mobile and successfully created a new wifi network (N1_wifi) with the first Nest router.  I have had no success setting up the 2nd Nest router as a point in this new network.

[YNS]

Thanks all , the way I have done it is turned off wifi on my Vodafone device. It seems to be working fine apart from speeds when connected to the WiFi points rather than router are slow. I’ve not disabled dhcp on my voda router, is it worth trying that? 

[NOBBY0_15]

The Nest Wifi router will issue its own DHCP. So yes, you can turn off the Voda DCHP as you're not really using it. Out of the box the Voda will have 192.168.1.1 as router address whereas the Nest router will have 192.168.86.1. So, they are different networks. End result will be your using the Voda in Modem/Bridge mode and Nest will handle the DHCP. 

[NOBBY0_15]

Expect some drop-off of speed if connected to a point rather than the router. Thats the price of mesh. In my set up I have a crappy Voda 40/10 VDSL circuit and connected to Router I get circa 34MB download and circa 8MB upload. If I am connected to my kitchen point I see that drop slightly to 30MB download and same upload. if go outside in garden and still connected to point speed drops off significantly to sub 20MB download. Depending on where your points are in relation to router will dictate the drop-off you might experience when connected to a point.  

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi everyone,

NOBBY0_15, cwskas, and Beenpierced, thanks for the help.

YNS, I hope you've got the answer you're looking for. 

Give these steps a try to improve your network speed:

1. Make sure that there are minimal to no interference (concrete, bulletproof glass, metal, mirror, etc.) 
2. Set a custom DNS at 8.8.8.8 on the primary and 8.8.4.4 on the secondary server. Hit the save/ floppy disk icon on the upper right.
3. Unplug the power from your Google Wifi devices for 2 minutes.
4. If the issue persists, try factory resetting your network.

Let us know how it goes.

Best,

Mel

[YNS]

Hi

thanks , when you say set custom dns , how do I do this? Is it on the Vodafone router or on the nest router? 

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi YNS,

To set a custom DNS follow these steps:

1. Open your Google Home app.
2. Tap Wi-Fi, then Settings, and then Advanced Networking.
3. Tap DNS.
4. Set a custom DNS at 8.8.8.8 on the primary and 8.8.4.4 on the secondary server. Hit the save/ floppy disk icon on the upper right.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,

Mel

[YNS]

Thankyou 

I tried this but now my WiFi seems to be offline and won’t come back again. I can’t even get back in to revert the settings back?

any ideas? 

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi YNS,

Thanks for the update and I'm sorry to hear that. Try to reboot your network by unplugging your Google Wifi from the power for 2 minutes.

Let me know how it goes.

Best regards,

Mel

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey YNS,

Checking back in to ensure everything is good here. Have you had the chance to try the suggestion above? If yes, how is it?

Best,
Mel

[EdwardT]

Hey YNS,

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 in 24 hours.

Thanks,

Edward