Have a problem with your unusual double router configuration?
Have a problem with your unusual double router configuration?
So I’m trying to make it work a bit differently. I need my PC to link to the wan/lan port, maybe still staying online through the wireless card. Here’s what I’ve tried: the PC is on the second floor, opposite side of the house, with a Gen 5 or possibly Gen 6 Wi-Fi router. It runs 4K videos and downloads fast—no issues there. But VR doesn’t feel right. I used an old Netgear Nighthawk with AC wireless 5G. Plugging it into the PC’s back port didn’t work; it showed no internet but didn’t let me connect. When I tried to pick it, it took me to the Ethernet settings, which said advanced sharing was available but nothing else. Eventually, I connected it like a headset and could play VR for a short time. The PC was in a big closet, the router about 25-35 feet away. I’m wondering if I can still get a wired connection via the PC’s Ethernet port to lower latency, so I can stream VR while keeping Wi-Fi online. Ideally, I’d just use one of the 1Gb ports on the back to connect the PC directly to the router, then switch to offline mode for games or other tasks. If that doesn’t work, maybe I should spend around $300 on a Wi-Fi 6E mesh system. The TP-Link Deco XE75 looked promising. Using the main unit and another in the closet with the PC could give me wired internet and better VR performance.
Your configuration seems complex. Can you run Ethernet directly from the main router to the area needing stronger Wi-Fi, and switch the Nighthawk to AP mode? This would simplify things without a big cost.
Currently the connection begins at the router on the first floor. After that, I receive wireless 5G on my gaming PC using a wireless card. I’ve added another router just for VR; I’m now switching off my regular internet Wi-Fi and connecting to my VR network instead. I’d like to replicate this setup but instead of using a wireless card, I want my Wi-Fi adapter to send internet through Ethernet to the VR unit. This way I’d keep both internet access and PCVR functionality. Unless I can configure the Nighthawk as an AP, perhaps as suggested by someone else. I’m not sure if it will work or if it can be set up that way. There’s no direct way to link the PC to Ethernet from the first-floor Wi-Fi router, especially with the distance and obstacles involved.
It’s quite a distance between the PC and the second router, which is why I realized a second device was necessary. I’m grateful I kept it. Perhaps for an AP setup I could capture the Wi-Fi signal (including internet) and have the Nighthawk act as a repeater before connecting to Ethernet. I’m not sure how to set that up or if my Nighthawk can handle it. I logged in to the router, but the Nighthawk didn’t seem intuitive. I noticed options to rename networks and passwords, and I could even disable the 2.4 or 5GHz channels.
It was the simplest process I've ever faced for achieving an AP. The setup was incredibly straightforward, with a clear and intuitive interface. Just input the router's IP address, configure it as a network provider, and let it discover the connection. Done!
This setup seems feasible. You can likely capture the Wi-Fi from the downstairs unit, boost it using the Nighthawk, link your PC via Ethernet to the Nighthawk, and then attach the VR unit to the Nighthawk’s Wi-Fi network. No need for an Ethernet cable between the two routers if you have access to them.
The connection method is the simplest, just plug and play. The mesh is a bit more challenging. I had to work a bit to find the r6120 option, but I ended up choosing cable for better reliability. (A lot of plaster, wood, and wire mesh led to significant signal loss)
Perhaps to connect everything, but you need at least one wire for the repeater. Repeating the wireless signal by linking back over Wi-Fi to the router will cut its bandwidth in half, unless you secure a separate wireless channel for the return path. Even then, you increase the risk of issues by sending the signal twice. I have a dedicated point-to-point wireless link across the street, and an access point broadcasts on another channel for my devices. This still gives a more stable, faster connection than wiring into the switch at the opposite end, since wireless always adds latency and interference chances. Most people don’t like it, but running a straight CAT6 cable along the baseboard or using fiber works quietly.