2 Messages
I am looking to add a second router in my basement
Hello,
I am having issues with the WiFi signal in my basement. I have an X1 gateway. I plan on connecting multiple devices to my WiFi from my basement. Can I run an Ethernet from my modem to a second router downstairs and have a separate signal? From my understanding bridge mode would eliminate the signal from my gateway in my living room which I want to maintain.
Accepted Solution
flatlander3
Problem Solver
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1.5K Messages
2 years ago
Sure. Look at the manual before you buy anything though. You don't have to use bridge-mode.
A simple WiFi access point can work if you are stringing Ethernet. Then you don't have to worry about routing. Most are power-over-Ethernet and your gateway Ethernet can't supply power, so make sure it comes with a power adapter.
If it's got the feature, a WiFi router in AP mode can run as an Access Point. You disable the internal DHCP server on the router, and forward DHCP requests that connect to it directly to your gateway (DHCP forwarding). Then your gateway handles the routing and everyone is happy. You'll be able to use the LAN Ethernet ports on the router too and not use WiFi if you need to.
More complex is called a double nat -- which networking folks roll their eyes when you suggest it -- where you leave the DHCP server active on the router, but use a different subnet than your Xfinity router. The WAN interface on the router looks like a device to your gateway. Your router passes traffic to your gateway, but things connected upstairs won't be able to communicate with things downstairs. There can be some other issues with this setup too, but for the most part it will work.
If you are going to be roaming back and forth with devices, or just want a single SSID for everyone to talk to, a WiFi Mesh Network system might be more of what you're looking for. Then you don't need to string the Ethernet downstairs. It's a base unit and remote units usually. Place the remote units strategically so they can cover what you want. They talk to each other and work pretty good with the hand off between remote units. A lot of them have firewalls (basic ones...but probably no worse than your gateway), so you can run bridge-mode or not on your gateway.
There's more complex ways to do it too with isolated subnets and additional hardware. Depends on what you want or need.
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zandor60657
Contributor
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204 Messages
2 years ago
With an Xfinity gateway the easiest way to extend the signal would be using one of their Pods. Ideally you'd run an ethernet cable from the router to the Pod. A Gateway + Pods is basically a mesh kit. If you can easily run a cable to the basement just do it and get a Pod. You'll need to activate the Pod using WiFi, but once it's activated you can plug it in. One caveat with Pods is if you're using one you can't split 2.4 and 5/6GHz into separate SSIDs. So if you have any devices that don't play nice with merged SSIDs on multiple bands you'll need to do something else or replace those devices. This problem usually comes up with 2.4GHz only equipment.
3rd party gear can do better, but you lose Xfi Complete. $25/mo for unlimited + gateway rental. Not a big deal if you don't need unlimited/more than 1.2TB/mo, but if you do need unlimited it's $30/mo using your own gear. I wanna to smack Comcast for that one. If you get your own gear I would suggest a mesh kit unless you have the technical chops to deal with business grade stuff. Business grade is not necessarily expensive, but it is complicated and you have to know what you're doing just to make it work at all.
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