Mesh but wired?

[vmachiel]

Hi,

I have a RT-AX86U running Merlin. Soon I’ll have access to a second one.

I have a switch which I can use to hook up the second router, and I know I can run it in AP mode. But can I create a proper Mesh network this way? So one ssid which devices will use and switch between the router one and the AP one? Or will that thing happen were one device will keep using the further away AP?

That’s what can happen if you just blindly set the same ssid/password right? But AI Mesh is only for wireless right? Not a wired backhaul? Or is it?

Thanks!

 

[degrub]

If you read the user guide and many of the threads here you will discover you can use ethernet backhaul in AiMesh. This is useful for devices that do not have a dedicated radio for backhaul. You can also repurpose the second device as an AP (AP mode). This is not "AiMesh", but traditional single router + APs. The switch is also available so the ethernet ports are active when in AP mode for devices that can be hardwired with ethernet cable.

 

[bbunge]

Just to add to the first reply - Yes you can use Ethernet backhaul. But, if you have a switch in between the router and AiMesh node it should be an unmanaged switch. You can use a managed switch in between but you would have to set up VLAN on the switch and get the settings right.