WiFi switch placement

[HiZR]

Looking at adding a switch to my WiFi setup.  My modem is in the basement and that is where my switch will go.  I was wondering if the WiFi connection point had to be before the switch or if I can hook the switch to the modem then wire in my routers at other locations.  

[Grum]

In your network the wifi connection or the router/point isn't required to be after a switch connected to your modem.  Just remember you home modem should have a different network (IP range) to issue out to devices.  This shouldn't be an issue for most users and will most likely happen by default.  What you may see is devices on your switch with  192.168.1.xxx addresses and then devices connected to your WiFi with a 192.168.68.xxx address.  IP Addresses may very but bottom line it should work with no issues.

[MichaelP]

The primary Google/Nest WiFi unit is a router+firewall that creates a new "inner" network. Any switch should be connected inside this network (i.e., the Google/Nest WiFi primary's LAN port), not outside (between it's WAN port and the modem). So, you should have the modem connected to the WAN port, LAN port to switch, and then switch feed everything else in your home, including any secondary Google/Nest WiFi units that support being wired. Here's a help article with more details: https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/7215624?hl=en#zippy=%2Cinclude-a-switch-downstream-of-t... 

I have linked directly to the most relevant section, but the rest of that page includes more relevant details, including what not to do (like putting the switch upstream).

[Grum]

Nowhere in that article did it say you can't or shouldn't hook up a switch before the Wi-Fi point.  The question HiZR asked was can he. The correct answer is yes he can. I even provided details that if he put it outside/ before the Wi-Fi point it will have a different network segment. For most users this is fine. There's some philosophical questions we can get into but anybody interested in that will have managed switches and will already know what the impact is of connecting a switch before or after another internal router.

[olavrb]

We don't know whether the modem also has router/fw/NAT functionality. If it's bridged, putting the switch between the modem and the primary Nest Wifi puck is a bad idea, as devices hooked to the switch will fight for the only available public IP.

A switch before primary Nest Wifi puck often causes user confusion. A common question in this community is "why can't I print when connected to Nest Wifi, but when connected to my ISP router it works". Another reason to not recommend putting a switch in front of the primary Nest Wifi puck.

[Grum]

@olavrb  in that situation I would agree (bridging) it would cause issues, but I think a bridging config is not a common installation scenario.  The same argument can be said that segmenting devices on the network also provides value.  To add more of a technically correct answer, I could have had them validate the modem is also acting as a router and is providing DHCP addresses.

I feel normally users will have devices connected directly to the modem LAN ports and have the WiFi after it.  

There are so many situations that involve deeper understanding of how users want devices to interact with each other you can't always provide the perfect answer without significant details.

[PatrickP_Viking]

Hey Grum.

If the modem is acting as a router and providing DHCP, you are going to end up with a Double NAT situation if you add a router downstream. I actually have two switches in my home network setup and have had zero issues and they are setup similar to what the article details.

My suggestion: Disable the router function on the modem and connect the router directly to it in bridge mode. Then connect the switch downstream from the router as the article states. You can then add additional routers as access points throughout the house. If you want to add them as a hardwired device from the switch or as a wirelessly connected AP to the router, either should work.

[Bob13]

If you scroll down a bit to where it says setups to avoid, it does specifically mention not to connect a switch between the modem and the router.

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi Bob13,

Thanks for the help here. 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

[Jhonleanmel]

Hey Bob13,

Checking back in should you still have some questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread. 

Best, 
Mel

[Jhonleanmel]

Hi Bob13,

Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.

Thanks,
Mel

[Jeff]

Hey all,

Sorry for the late response here, but I wanted to check in to see if you were still having this issue and to see if you have done any additional troubleshooting. If you still need help, let me know and I'll be happy to work on this with you. Thanks for those who have provided explanations and info so far.

Thanks,
Jeff
 

[AbigailF]

Hi everyone,

Checking back in should you still have some questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread. 

Best, 
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hello folks,

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.

Regards,
Abi