I have 6 wired users and 10 wireless users. Two of the wireless users are 2.4G only. I am using a CGN3 modem+router from my ISP. I am getting a very weak WIFI signal at the far end of my house and I need more wired ethernet ports. All the users just need fast internet access and fast data transfer between devices is not a requirement. To add ethernet ports and to cover to WIFI blind spot, I need a new router. I bought a TP link AX55 router for WIFI 6 future proof (only 2 wireless users have WIFI 6) and I believe it must have better router performance than CGN3.
I have three setup options in mind
Option 1. Continue to use the CGN3 as the main router (DHCP provider). I will use an ethernet cable to connect between the LAN port of the AX55 and the LAN port of the CGN3. The AX55 will have DHCP disabled. Not sure if this setting is called a bridge or access point. Both the CGN3 and the AX55 have 3 ethernet ports left. This meets my requirements of 6 wired users and the AX55 should cover my WIFI blind spot. But I am not sure if I am taking any advantage of the AX55 performance.
Option 2. Continue to use the CGN3 as the main router. I will use an ethernet cable to connect between the WAN port of the AX55 and the LAN port of the CGN3. Now I am setting up the AX55 as a full router. I now have 2 networks, 192.168.0.x hosted by CGN3 and 192.168.1.x hosted by AX55 connecting to a single Modem. I have 3 ethernet ports on CGN3 and 4 ethernet ports on AX55 (one extra ethernet port). I assume that devices connected to the AX55 may be able to benefit from the better performance of the AX55. I know that devices on the two networks may have problems talking to each other. But direct data transfer between devices is not a requirement.
Option 3. Set up the CGN3 as a gateway only. I will use an ethernet cable to connect between the WAN port of the AX55 and the LAN port of the CGN3. The AX55 is set up as a full router. I hope this will exploit any performance enhancement of the AX55 over the CGN3. But I am losing 3 ethernet ports on CGN3. I only have the 4 ports on AX55 and I still have the WIFI blind spot. I have an old TPlink Archer C50 kicking around which I can set up as an access point (or bridge) to cover the WIFI blind spot and provide me with the additional ethernet port.
Please help me to decide which is a better option. New options are also welcome.
I have three setup options in mind
Option 1. Continue to use the CGN3 as the main router (DHCP provider). I will use an ethernet cable to connect between the LAN port of the AX55 and the LAN port of the CGN3. The AX55 will have DHCP disabled. Not sure if this setting is called a bridge or access point. Both the CGN3 and the AX55 have 3 ethernet ports left. This meets my requirements of 6 wired users and the AX55 should cover my WIFI blind spot. But I am not sure if I am taking any advantage of the AX55 performance.
Option 2. Continue to use the CGN3 as the main router. I will use an ethernet cable to connect between the WAN port of the AX55 and the LAN port of the CGN3. Now I am setting up the AX55 as a full router. I now have 2 networks, 192.168.0.x hosted by CGN3 and 192.168.1.x hosted by AX55 connecting to a single Modem. I have 3 ethernet ports on CGN3 and 4 ethernet ports on AX55 (one extra ethernet port). I assume that devices connected to the AX55 may be able to benefit from the better performance of the AX55. I know that devices on the two networks may have problems talking to each other. But direct data transfer between devices is not a requirement.
Option 3. Set up the CGN3 as a gateway only. I will use an ethernet cable to connect between the WAN port of the AX55 and the LAN port of the CGN3. The AX55 is set up as a full router. I hope this will exploit any performance enhancement of the AX55 over the CGN3. But I am losing 3 ethernet ports on CGN3. I only have the 4 ports on AX55 and I still have the WIFI blind spot. I have an old TPlink Archer C50 kicking around which I can set up as an access point (or bridge) to cover the WIFI blind spot and provide me with the additional ethernet port.
Please help me to decide which is a better option. New options are also welcome.