FIXED WIRELESS MESH system

You would need a mesh system in which the primary node can be placed in Access Point mode.  For example, I don't believe the eero can be, but the nest can.  You should not configure your primary mesh node as a router, because you cannot put the 5268AC in DMZ/plus mode for it.

is there a way you can explain this in simpler terms? I am not sure what that means

A router is a networking device that routes traffic.

A modem is a device that connects to an ISP network.

An access point is a device that provides Wi-Fi connections to clients to connect to a network

The AT&T Gateway incorporates all three of these features (router, modem, access point) in one box.

A wireless router incorporates two (router, access point) in one box

An extender is an access point that doesn't use a wire to connect to the network, but uses Wi-Fi to connect another access point (probably inside a Gateway or Wireless Router).

A mesh system is a wireless router with extenders/access points.

Some wireless routers can be told to disable their routing function and just be an access point.

You don't really want two routers active together in the same home network.

So you need to disable the routing functionality of a wireless router if you connect it to the Gateway.

Some mesh system routers let you do this, some don't.

Okay, that's as simple as I can make it.

Instead of buying a Mesh system at all, you could just buy an Extender and place it where it can get a good Wi-Fi signal from the Gateway in the direction of an area of your home where there isn't.  

Or you can buy a Mesh system that lets you turn off its router (put it in Access Point mode) and then let it mesh like it's supposed to.

Hi @func1056,

I understand your concern. Let's get the help you need.

To answer the first two questions, the answer is yes! When implementing a third party router, such as the ones you listed, you will need to enable IP Passthrough on your BGW210. The receivers will need to be connected to the router's Wi-Fi network though as you will be disabling the Wi-Fi on the BGW. 

If you need to use your existing router, you can add a mesh network by putting it into bridge mode.

• Check your mesh system to ensure it supports multiple nodes when connected to a router. As of this writing, for example, Google Mesh only allows one node to connect to an active router

• Connect your "gateway" or "network" node to your router and follow the configuration instructions. You will be prompted to put your gateway into "bridge mode." This mode disables any router functions in the gateway.

  If you do not see a configuration screen, bridge mode will be under your device's app's "advanced networking" tab. In Google Home, for example, it's available under Wi-Fi > Settings > Advanced Networking > Network Mode.

• If your modem has a router built into it, and you only want to use the modem part of it, you can instead turn off the router inside your modem and use the mesh network instead.

   

  1. Disconnect any Ethernet cables from your router/modem. It will reduce demands on the router and prevent signal interruptions.

  2. Open your combined modem/router's web portal or management app and enable "bridge mode." You may need to check your device's documentation, but this is generally found under "Wireless Settings" or in a similar area.

  3. If your router doesn’t automatically reboot, manually reboot it.

  4. Connect your mesh network device and follow the configuration instructions provided in the app.

Note: If you’re renting a device from your internet service provider, you may need to contact customer service and have them do this remotely.

Additionally:

After connecting your modem, go to 192.168.1.254 and select Firewall > IP Passthrough, enter the access code from the sticker on your ATT modem and change the allocation to Passthrough and IP to DHCP-Dynamic. Next, go to Home Network > Wi-Fi > Advanced Settings and turn off the 2.4 and 5.0 Wi-Fi bands. Next, unplug the modem, factory reset the mesh system, use Ethernet port one on the modem to connect to the mesh system, power everything on, and follow the setup process.

I hope the above information helps!

Please get back to us if you have any further queries.

Thank you.

Justin, AT&T Community Specialist.

Thanks JefferMC that was very helpful. What do you think would give me the best result?

I seem to not have had success before with wifi extenders, that's why I'm hesitant. I just learned of mesh systems this week. 

Justin- You didn't read my comment. I cannot out my PACE into dmzplus mode or ip passthrough. I have fixed wireless. 

Look, Justin, OP said he had a 5268AC (which means instructions for a BGW210 are worthless, they do not have the same interface) and that he was a Fixed Wireless customer (which means that the 5268AC analog of IP Passthrough, DMZ/plus) cannot be configured, even if you have good 5268AC DMZplus instructions.  Would you mind reading and comprehending posts before you make AT&T support look stupid?

Hi @func1056,

Thank you for reaching us again. 

We understand your concern about Fixed Wireless (Internet Air). Let us point you in the right direction.

As this is an Internet Air issue, we recommend contacting our Internet Air team at 800-288-2020 for further assistance.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to write back to us.

Thank you,

Justin, AT&T Community Specialist.

I appreciate the feedback @JefferMC I can run an ethernet cable to an access point. That seems like the best, most reliable connection. 

Really appreciate the help