Mobile hotspot provides internet for home network

[Venca]

Hello guys, newbie here... I am really sorry if this is not correct topic, didn't found more suitable one...

I have to rebuild my home network, and due to my limited knowledge I would like to ask you for help.
Requirments:
- 2 WIFI APs
- wireguard on router if affordable for me
- internet connection is hotspot from mobile phone
Connected devices:
1 Synology NAS (LAN)
1 desktop computer (LAN)
3 phones + 2 tablets (WIFI)
2 TVs (WIFI)

So what I've been able to figured is Asus RT-AX58U V2 (WIFI1) as main wifi and router (with wireguard for whole network except NAS), set as AP and client simultaneously (is this called mediabridge?). Client would be connected to hotspot with internet. Then, for wifi signal extinsion, WIFI1 would be connected with LAN to WIFI 2 - RT-AX53U, also set as AP and client simultaneously. This is the tricky part, because mobile hot spot will be moving between WIFI1 and WIFI2... Will it work like that? Or any other solutions?

I don't have WIFI1 or WIFI2 yet, so I'm open for suggestions if my choices are not suitable. I already own TP-link Archer C2 V3, but it not looks like it can handle this requirements...

 

[bbunge]

Hello guys, newbie here... I am really sorry if this is not correct topic, didn't found more suitable one...

I have to rebuild my home network, and due to my limited knowledge I would like to ask you for help.
Requirments:
- 2 WIFI APs
- wireguard on router if affordable for me
- internet connection is hotspot from mobile phone
Connected devices:
1 Synology NAS (LAN)
1 desktop computer (LAN)
3 phones + 2 tablets (WIFI)
2 TVs (WIFI)

So what I've been able to figured is Asus RT-AX58U V2 (WIFI1) as main wifi and router (with wireguard for whole network except NAS), set as AP and client simultaneously (is this called mediabridge?). Client would be connected to hotspot with internet. Then, for wifi signal extinsion, WIFI1 would be connected with LAN to WIFI 2 - RT-AX53U, also set as AP and client simultaneously. This is the tricky part, because mobile hot spot will be moving between WIFI1 and WIFI2... Will it work like that? Or any other solutions?

I don't have WIFI1 or WIFI2 yet, so I'm open for suggestions if my choices are not suitable. I already own TP-link Archer C2 V3, but it not looks like it can handle this requirements...

No, it will not work. When you set a router to media bridge mode you lose all the basic functions of a router. Wireguard or OpenVPN will not work. You could connect an Android phone to a router using a USB cable in what is called tethering and that does work. But for the long haul you would be better off using a cellular modem or some dedicated device from your provider.

 

[Venca]

Thank you for your input.

When you set a router to media bridge mode you lose all the basic functions of a router.

Does this also mean that the DHCP also will not work?

The hot spot is on mobile phone which I really use as mobile phone, so using USB cable is not suitable. But maby another cheap wifi as client connected to WAN port of router could do the job? Or maby just USB WIFI dongle connected to router? Would it work?

 

[juanantonio]

Thank you for your input.

Does this also mean that the DHCP also will not work?

The hot spot is on mobile phone which I really use as mobile phone, so using USB cable is not suitable. But maby another cheap wifi as client connected to WAN port of router could do the job? Or maby just USB WIFI dongle connected to router? Would it work?

I've been using this one for years with zero issues on my RT-AC86U -> ZTE MF833U1

 

[jasseb]

You’re right that using a router in media bridge mode will disable some router functions, including DHCP, which is why things like WireGuard won’t work in that mode.

Instead of USB tethering, which you mentioned isn’t ideal, using another cheap Wi-Fi client or a USB Wi-Fi dongle could work, but the real question is how stable the connection will be when moving between the routers. You might face some dropouts when the mobile hotspot switches between Wi-Fi 1 and Wi-Fi 2.

It sounds like getting a dedicated 4G LTE modem or a mobile hotspot router might actually give you a much more stable setup in the long run. This would let you avoid relying on your phone as the hotspot and give your home network more consistency.

Good luck with the setup.