bridge mode

Kent needs more reliable wifi. He has a wifi router with extenders, but as he has wifi calling, often the call would just drop or buffer. So he went with an Orbi mesh router, and while he has a more consistent connection, he has an issue with the actual connection to the internet. Leo says that Netgear's Orbi is the fastest out there, but it's very simple in design. Dropouts can occur if the access point isn't connecting to the base station. So he can reboot the access point when it happens. Kent is using an ISP provided router that he has to use.

John has been upgrading his parents' network with a new router, some smart devices like NEST Cams, etc. He's running into some issues, though. He suspects it's the modem/router combo. Leo says it likely is: you'll need to find the IP address and log into it. Likely Admin/Blank for a user name and password. Then turn off the wifi and DHCP. The DHCP is also doing double NAT, so turn that off. It's called putting the router side into "bridge" mode. Let the modem send the bandwidth to the Google home router and it will handle it all.  That should fix it all. 

Ken needs to replace his ASUS WiFi Router. He likes the router, but he was thinking about getting a Ubiquity model to handle the WiFi. Leo says you'll have to put it in bridge mode, but it would work as long as ASUS continues to update the router. 

Alex would like to use his own router with AT&T U-verse, can he? Leo says only if you aren't getting your TV service from U-verse. That requires AT&T's proprietary router. You could turn the AT&T router into bridge mode or IP Pass through, and then use your router with it. That's possible. Will it affect the speed? Leo says no, but it could affect whether you can select your own DNS service. You can also try using DNS over HTTPS using Cloudflare to eliminate the ability for AT&T to see what you're doing. But that's advanced stuff.

Tony bought a new MESH router to use with his Verizon fiber optic internet connection. Leo says that Verizon uses a router/modem, so you'll need to change settings to bridge mode, so it can send the signal on to your new mesh router. Doctor Mom in the chatroom says you can put your Verizon modem into bridge mode, but you will lose some functions. It's just a matter if you can live with it.

Brian has a workshop that's about 70 feet from the house and he needs to extend his Wi-Fi network. Obstacles like doors and walls get in the way of the signal. What can he do? Leo says to string a LAN wire out into the ground.

David is trying to put his router into bridge mode, but he's having issues doing it. Leo says that if he's using the cable router and modem, they may have disabled the router protocol that would do that. The chatroom agrees. He can't do that with an AT&T UVerse modem. It just won't let him have his own router.

Leo says David is better off going with Spectrum and buying his own DOCSIS 3 modem. Then he can do it himself and have more freedom. UVerse is very strict because of QoS.

Jay bought a new router to add to his network but he's not improving his experience at all. Leo says if he's looking to expand his network, then it's a good idea to set one in bridge mode to just pass on the signal. It may be that Jay's DSL modem can't be a bridging router. Steve Gibson says that two routers handling the Network Address Translation will work fine. So Jay shouldn't do anything and see what happens. Maybe a simple reset will work. But Leo says putting one in bridge mode is best.

William has HughestNet and it's about to expire. So what are his options? Leo says that Wild Blue's Exceed is the satellite provider he prefers. William has also been using the MiFi instead. Will his Time Machine back up to that when it's not in use? Leo says that Time Machine is a local backup, it has nothing to do with the Cloud or his internet connection.

Bob wants to know if he can extend his Wi-Fi with a wired connection, rather than a wireless connection. Leo says sure. The trick is that while he can use any router, that router must be put into bridge mode. Don't let it do any routing. Just have the signal pass it along.