topic Will this network setup work as a mesh network? in Networking

Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

deepakvrao — Tue, 19 May 2026 16:58:48 GMT

Hi Guys,

Have a 3 floor home which is completely automated. All the automation is connected to TP Link access points which are plugged into my Asus mesh system. Having a lot of issues so the automation guys suggested having a separate network dedicated to the automation.

Issue is that I have only one ethernet cable system running between terrace to second to first to ground floor and this was being used as a wired backhaul for my Asus mesh system.

Now, if I use that existing cabling to connect switches on each floor and then plug in my asus system to the switches and also add a TP Link router to the system which along with the TP link APs will also plug into the switches to result in a system as shown in the image, will

1. The Asus mesh network work as before?
2. Will I be able to keep the TP link and Asus systems completely separated with different IP addresses etc?

Total newbie to networking so really will appreciate any help here.

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

Alex52 — Tue, 19 May 2026 18:37:02 GMT

The modem should connect directly to the main router WAN port by Ethernet cable from the Modem. You only need one switch with enough ports to connect the other router's WAN ports. The main router also needs a LAN port connected to the switch. Use the newest router with the highest specifications as the main router. It would be best if all the other routers were set up as APs using their WAN port connected to the switch.

For best connections, only use Cat 6 or better Ethernet cables such as Cat 7 or Cat 8. Be sure to use Cat 6A connectors where patch cables are used. The patch cables should also be Cat 6 or better to prevent losses. You could start with an inexpensive unmanaged switch unless you want greater throughput that 10G ports on higher end routers offer.

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

jzchen — Tue, 19 May 2026 21:49:04 GMT

Could you go into more detail with the automation issues you are experiencing?

There are two modems in your diagram. Do you have two ISPs? If you have one service like more typical then you'd need to get rid of one of them....

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

deepakvrao — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:02:22 GMT

I am so sorry, that TP link is a router not a modem. I have edited the image. Only a single ISP

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

deepakvrao — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:04:56 GMT

The TP Link should read as a router and not a modem. The reson I have so many switches is that I have only a single cable from terrace to second floor, from second to first and from first to ground floor. Don't want to draw more lines. So, will this single 'backbone' for lack of a better word service both the TP Link and the Asus systems and let them remain independent?

My question is that if the TP link and the Asus are all connected to the central network of switches will the Asus system still work as a mesh?

And, will the IP addresses distributed by the TP link router and the Asus Router be different?

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

jzchen — Wed, 20 May 2026 17:25:30 GMT

I have two AiMeshes and one EasyMesh network set up on the same "ethernet lines" similar to what you show. You want one router only. The TP-Link models may mesh together I can't tell as you haven't shared the models. TP-Link has 3 different mesh technologies, of which two might be compatible: Deco mesh, OneMesh, and EasyMesh. OneMesh and EasyMesh may be compatible. I believe there is a commercial version called Omada Mesh....

The AiMesh should work, but the Guest/IoT Network feature may fail.

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

Alex52 — Thu, 21 May 2026 01:02:45 GMT

The modem has to connect directly to your main router's WAN port and the main router's LAN port would then be connected to a switch. (The main router has to assign DHCP addresses) You could just bypass that first switch if it's not needed for Ethernet ports.

The ASUS routers will work in mesh (with each other if mesh capable) with them connected to a switch with one set up as a router. Personally, I would just set up all routers after your main as APs as it's less confusing and usually offers better performance. The only time I would use mesh is if no Ethernet connection is available and making a wireless mesh desirable for extending WiFi with each capable unit.

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

eyebrowz — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:29:47 GMT

Here is a daft idea...

IF you could live with a speed of 100 mbs for parts of your network...

123 and 6 conductor wires give 100 mbs, therefore it is possible to split the 8 conductor wires and have 2 sets of 100 mbs.

So by connecting 4 conductors from the first cable to 4 conductors of the second cable,you would have a 100 mbs connection from the terrace to the furthermost switch. AND a connection of 100 mbs between the upper and lower switches, giving some reduncancy.

I am aware of broadcast storms, but hopefully that will not occur.

Totally daft idea.

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

jzchen — Thu, 21 May 2026 14:57:23 GMT

You could use the TP-Link Router (Modem in diagram) extra ethernet port as a switch port. Then use the ASUS routers extra ethernet ports as switch ports. Connect the cable out to LAN port on the TP-Link Router Connect the WAN/LAN or LAN port on each of the ASUS routers to the cable. Connect all the TP-Link APs directly to the ASUS routers on the same floor. None of the switches are really needed....

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

jzchen — Fri, 22 May 2026 11:23:26 GMT

I am afraid I goofed two of the ASUS routers' connections:

The first ASUS router is set to AP with AiMesh (WAN/LAN or LAN).

The remaining two nodes need to be WAN/LAN or WAN ports.

All spare/remaining ports on the routers should be LAN ports to connect devices to...

Re: Will this network setup work as a mesh network?

Alex52 — Sat, 23 May 2026 20:29:23 GMT

I described the correct setup already. Simply put. NO, your "revised" diagram setup will NOT work. The modem has to have a direct connection to the main router's WAN port.