Adjust the wifi mesh setup so both wired and wireless gadgets can communicate.
Adjust the wifi mesh setup so both wired and wireless gadgets can communicate.
Hello, I recently chose to upgrade my home Wi-Fi setup. Previously, I relied solely on the modem/router package from my internet service provider in the garage, which covered the entire two-story house with a repeater on the first floor to boost the signal. Unfortunately, the connection remained unreliable, phones frequently reconnected to the weaker spot, and Wi-Fi was essentially non-functional. I opted for a mesh network solution, purchasing two Tenda MW12 units and placing them on each level of the building. Now everything works smoothly. The current challenge lies in the network configuration—data from the modem/router flows through a switch that distributes it to various ports throughout the house. Multiple devices like PCs, TVs, and security systems are plugged into these ports. The main Tenda mesh node is also linked to one of those ports, which is connected to the network switch output.
Can devices using wired connections and the Tenda mesh network communicate with each other? For instance, if my TV is hooked up to a LAN port and my phone uses Tenda Mesh WiFi, I can't access AirPlay or stream music. Similarly, the TV isn’t visible when my phone connects via Tenda Mesh. The problem mirrors this in reverse: if my printer connects to Wi-Fi through the mesh network, it’s accessible to all devices using that network, but not to PCs connected via a wired link.
I’d prefer avoiding placing the Tenda primary unit right after the modem/router combo, before the switch, since external systems (like security cameras and alarms) rely on specific port configurations and forwarding rules in the modem. I don’t want to disrupt those setups or need to contact the provider again, especially given Tenda’s limited advanced customization options.
I hope this issue is clear. I’ve noticed others using similar arrangements (modem → switch → Tenda mesh alongside PCs, TVs, printers). I’m hoping it’s feasible to set this up in that order.
Best regards, Mikolaj
Are the MW12s operating in bridge/AP mode or their standard mesh configuration? With the latter, they could establish their own network, forming a separate subnet managed by the ISP device. If this occurs and routing configurations are missing, connected devices may struggle to reach resources on other subnets. Using the default mode avoids this issue, especially with direct Ethernet backhaul into the core. If you haven't implemented this yet, it's worth considering. This approach effectively transforms your regular mesh into a distributed AP system. In most cases, mesh nodes retain some roaming capabilities while operating in this setup.