Netgate Hardware compatability with Eero
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Hello,
I am a longtime pfsense user and as I moved to a new place, I am going to set up my home network from scratch.
As a first thing, I need to set up a wireless router immediately for basic things to start and thinking to buy an Eero 6+ router. Then I want to add a Netgate device in-between modem and Eero 6+.
So far I never used a mesh network. I like to play with the settings in regular routers. So debating between Eero 6+ and a regular Asus AC2900.
Question - Does anyone use pfsense/Netgate in front of the Eero router and do you see any issues such as compatibility, performance, feature usage, etc?
ISP -> Modem -> Netgate -> Eero 6+ -> ClientsLooking for some help!
Thank you.
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When you switch to using it with pfSense you will want the wifi devices to act as access points only. I'm not familiar with Eero specifically but I know some of those mesh wifi systems will only run as a mesh as long as the base system is in router mode. Switching it to access point mode disables numerous features and if that includes the mesh networking that could be a show stopper. So be sure you either don't need that or it still allows it in AP mode.
Personally I would choose real access points and Ethernet cable if you can.
Steve
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@gdzbedfz I have eero at home. You can set it as a bridge and plug the main one into a LAN port or whatever interface you want. Also they now allow enabling the "guest" wireless in bridge mode, and keep it isolated.
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@stephenw10 said in Netgate Hardware compatability with Eero:
some of those mesh wifi systems will only run as a mesh as long as the base system is in router mode.
While I agree with this.. As long as the system has a port that is wired that is same network as the wifi.. As long as you can turn off the dhcp server on the wifi router you should be able to get it to work as just AP.
The question is - will the device in "router" mode allow you to disable its dhcp server, and allow your wifi clients to get IP via dhcp from some other device on your network (pfsense for example) that points the clients to the correct gateway (pfsense)..
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@johnpoz In router mode the eero would be handing out its own IPs to its LAN, and NATting to its WAN (the pfSense LAN). Enabling bridging on the eero disables its NAT and DHCP.
I don't know if it will function "in router mode" with only the LAN connected, like many consumer routers do.
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@steveits said in Netgate Hardware compatability with Eero:
I don't know if it will function "in router mode" with only the LAN connected, like many consumer routers do.
It should - the question would be is there a way to disable its dhcp server while in router mode?
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@johnpoz said in Netgate Hardware compatability with Eero:
It should - the question would be is there a way to disable its dhcp server while in router mode?
Looking at the software I don't think so...I see choices of Automatic, Manual (choose IP range), or Bridge.
But since there is a Bridge mode that does disable DHCP and NAT, that seems the best choice.
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@steveits said in Netgate Hardware compatability with Eero:
Bridge mode that does disable DHCP and NAT, that seems the best choice.
I would concur - if it supports a bridge function, that would be best choice I would think as well.
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So looks like you still get mesh wifi.
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@steveits Thank you for your response. Do you see any operating issues in pfsense or with Eero when connected in Bridge mode? I am assuming, you didn't lose any functionality in pfsense and/or with Eero.
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@stephenw10 Thank you for sharing the link. Yes, in that, I see, "If your network configuration does require you to bridge your Eeros, rest assured you'll still experience all of the speed and stability benefits of TrueMesh."
Based on this statement, I interpret that pfsense will work as a router, and Eero will be connected to pfsense LAN in bridge mode, and when having another Eero satellite, it will work in mesh with the primary Eero device.
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@gdzbedfz Functionality-wise, you can't use the eero subscription security service, eero Secure. Others are in the doc Stephen linked. ACS might impact you if you live in an apartment building maybe? That doc page also lists "eero Labs" (their beta testing options) but that's always been visible to me since it currently has WPA3 as optional.
The upshot is for me, no issues using it, and the meshing is fine. I wanted to do everything in pfSense anyway so have always only used bridge mode. The eero can actually be a fallback plan if the pfSense is down, just disable bridging.
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@steveits Thank you for providing the user experience. This sounds to me, I can go ahead and place the order for Eero 6+.
Yes, I am not much concerned about Eero's "paid" features when I add the Pfsense in between the modem and Eero. I want Pfsense to do everything and Eero to act as an Access Point for the clients and yes Eero as a failover when things get complicated with Pfsense.
I didn't understand what it mean "ACS might impact you".. by any way you mean Air Conditioner? Yes, I live in a 1200sft apt.
Thanks again!
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@gdzbedfz ACS is Auto Channel Selection on the linked page https://support.eero.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000825206-What-advanced-features-do-I-lose-access-to-if-I-put-my-eeros-into-bridge-mode-
