Modem to Ethernet switch to Wifi Router won't work

[Aviat443]

Ok... I have tried this a few different ways with no luck. I have a TP Link Docsis 3.0 Cable Modem connected to a TP Link 5 Port Gb Ethernet switch connected to a TP Link Archer 2600 wifi router. Now... the wifi router has Ethernet ports, but I want to reduce the load of info going through the wifi router by having my wired devices connected separately. I'm also trying to determine why my wifi router is cutting out the 5g signal sometimes and making me restart the system, which is also why I'm trying this setup. Anyway here's what I've tried...

1. Reset everything... connected modem to switch to wifi router.
Wifi router didn't like it. Wouldn't connect. Other things connected to switch connected just fine.

2. Reset everything... connected modem straight to router and established connection, then unplugged router from modem and connected both the modem and the router to the switch and connection reestablished, but other devices connected to switch didn't like it and wouldn't connect.

3. Only thing that works for everything is to connect modem to router and use the Ethernet ports on the router itself. Although this would be ideal, I'm trying to keep my wired connections separate from my wifi router because it seems to do weird things sometimes and I always want the computer to be connected to the internet when away from home... Plex reasons. And the switch assures that.

The only thing I can figure, is that there is some kind of IP address association problem. Everything is Dynamic IP. It just doesn't make sense to me that my PC can pull an IP address from the modem through the switch, but my wifi router cannot.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[boosted1g]

No that wiring configuration will not work.

Your internet provider provides you with only 1 IP address, thus only 1 device can use that IP address. When you plug a switch into the modem directly then it will bind that IP to the first device it detects and ignore the rest.
A router has a WAN interface and a completely separate LAN interface. This allows the router to get the public IP from the modem and then allows the LAN interface (with its built in DHCP server) to then have completely different addresses that it gives to all of your wired and wireless devices.

One other very bad thing is that any device plugged into the modem before a router has no NAT so it is completely open to the internet. Doesn't matter how tough the door is if you have not built any walls.

You need modem -> router - > switch.
The switch knows who is on each port so anything that just needs to go from one wired computer to another will just go through the switch and not need to touch the router.

In regards to the 5g band dropping out, that is a problem with the router. I would try flashing latest firmware (or even dd-wrt). If the router is still new I would return it to the store and get a different one (I have absolutely loved my asus AC68P).

 

[boosted1g]

Now when you say the 5g band is dropping out, you mean in the same room as the router or after going through 3-4 walls?
By its nature the 5ghz band is not going to have the same range as the 2.4 ghz band because the higher the frequency the last capable it is at penetrating obstacles (like walls and cabinets).

So if your router is on the East side of your house and you cant get reliable 5ghz signal to the living room on the far west side then that is just a limitation of physics and no modern AC router is going to fix that.
If that is the case you would be significantly better off (assuming you cant run an ethernt line through attic or crawlspace) is to use a powerline network adapter and connect it to another wired switch or wireless access point.