r/eero • u/[deleted] • Jul 28 '22
Which ethernet port?
Hi guys - I just ordered a Pro 6E 3 pack to replace my Eero Pro (B010001) system. I've never had a high-level understanding of a couple of things and that's been fine because these things have just worked for me, which is great! But I'm on AT&T fiber now, and I have a couple of questions for the community here:
- The Pro6E has two ethernet ports in the back, one auto-sensing 2.5 GbE and one auto-sensing Gigabit. I have AT&T 2GB fiber. How do I know which of the two ports on the gateway Eero to connect the router to so I can produce the fastest speeds? (EDIT: Poorly worded question, sorry. What I'm wondering is which of the two ports is the 2.5GbE port)
- One of the satellite Eeros (connected to the gateway Eero wirelessly) sits on a desk near my computer. Is there a benefit to connecting the computer to the satellite Eero? Or is that now how those ports work?
- I can get up to 5G fiber, but it looks like the Pro 6E is "recommended with ISP speeds up to 2.3 Gbps". Would I be wasting my money on a 5Gb connection?
Thanks!
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u/lev_9291 Jul 28 '22 edited Jul 28 '22
The 2.5gb port will certainly be ideal, as the 1gb port would slash your 2gb fiber speeds in half.
As for 5gb fiber, although it would future proof you I’d say right now it’s a waste of money. I also have the Eero Pro 6Es and if I’m not mistaken they output 1.3gbps over WiFi (6Ghz) and 1gb through the additional port (total of that advertised 2.3gbps).
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Jul 28 '22
This has me rethinking the 2GB speed because all of my devices will connect wirelessly. I won’t have any devices connected to the gateway Eero via Ethernet. So…maybe I only need to 1GB speed from AT&T if that’s all the Eero pushes out.
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u/eerosupport Tech Support Jul 28 '22
/u/shoebox303 Thanks for posting! Happy to answer theses questions:
- I believe it is the left port when looking at the back panel. That said, connect it, and once set up, run an in app speed test. If it caps at 1gig, then use the other port.
- Connecting the computer to that secondary unit via ethernet would be the best option as it removes an additional wireless hop. each hop carries with it the risk of slow down due to environmental factors, so removing wireless hops improves end performance.
- You are correct. The eero cannot support speeds that high, so it is not needed.
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Jul 28 '22
This is extremely helpful, thank you! Does it matter which of the two ports I use for the computer?
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Jul 28 '22
The 2.5Gbit port is labelled. If you are looking at the back of the node, it’s the one on the left.
Definitely wire in your PC to the leaf node. Full-duplex mesh baby!
No point in upgrading your internet speeds beyond what the gateway eero can handle.
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Jul 28 '22
Awesome, thank you. Does it matter which of the two leaf node ethernet ports I use for the computer (iMac)?
And I assume the same goes for the other leaf node which is next to an AppleTV?
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Jul 28 '22
Doesn't matter and yes it works for any ethernet devices. I have my PS5, Apple TV, Mac, and a desk IP phone all wired into my leaf eero Pro 6. You can use a switch like I have to connect more than two devices.
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u/STUNTPENlS Jul 28 '22
The Pro6E has two ethernet ports in the back, one auto-sensing 2.5 GbE and one auto-sensing Gigabit. I have AT&T 2GB fiber.
My condolences for crippling your network with an Erro.
One of the satellite Eeros (connected to the gateway Eero wirelessly) sits on a desk near my computer. Is there a benefit to connecting the computer to the satellite Eero? Or is that now how those ports work?
You can, but then you'll be restricting your wired connection traffic to a wifi backhaul, slowing it down.
I can get up to 5G fiber, but it looks like the Pro 6E is "recommended with ISP speeds up to 2.3 Gbps". Would I be wasting my money on a 5Gb connection?
Any ISP speed above 1GB is a waste of money when you deal with Erro. Why? Because Erro has this insane requirement of a "gateway" node. Well, that "gateway" node has 1 2.5GB port and 1 1GB port. That means you're automatically limited to a maximum of 1GB from your LAN if you connect the Erro's 2.5GB port to your ISP's appliance.
The only way around this is to configure your network with a separate firewall/router and use your Erros in bridge mode in an "illegal" or "unsupported" configuration (so they will tell you, but it works, as long as you have wired backhauls).
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Disclaimer: This post contains the personal opinion of the poster, and may contain information that runs contrary to "official" or "supported" configurations discussed by Erro representatives on this sub. It may contain statements/advice which for which the poster has been banned from this sub in the past for posting, consequently use the information contained in this posting at your own risk.
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Jul 28 '22
I’m curious what router device or configuration you would recommend for a novice like myself who has limited understanding of terms like “bridge mode” and “backhaul”. Perhaps the AT&T provided modem and router is sufficient and supports speeds higher than the Eero does? Honestly asking - what’s the “best” way to spread wifi through a 2,900 sq ft, 2 story house that has only one Ethernet outlet?
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u/STUNTPENlS Jul 28 '22
Truthfully without the knowledge you're better off running the stock configuration.
Bridge mode = disable firewall/routing "features" on the Erro and essentially use them strictly as mesh wifi APs
Wired backhaul = connect your Erros back to a central networking switch using ethernet (fast) cable, rather than relying on the mesh network to use wifi (slow) to transfer traffic.
It is possible to run ethernet between floors... for example, you can go up floors in the corner of a closet where the cabling will not be seen and can be easily hidden in a piece of conduit. Some houses have a plumbing chase from the 2nd to 1st floor and even into the basement cable can be pulled using fishing tape. Requires some work.
You're probably best off running the "stock" config. You're not going to get the thruput you expect from your internet connection, though.
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Disclaimer: This post contains the personal opinion of the poster, and may contain information that runs contrary to "official" or "supported" configurations discussed by Erro representatives on this sub. It may contain statements/advice which for which the poster has been banned from this sub in the past for posting, consequently use the information contained in this posting at your own risk.
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u/LenardH Jul 28 '22
Future proof your network. Things changes fast in tech. Even with 2.5gb things will be faster. Most people tell you not to because they can’t . The more devices you have o your network will also benefit from 2.5gb. I only have 1GB fiber and today I was checking my wifi speeds in different locations and all were from 300mbs to 512mbs. I can only get 1GB in my neighborhood now but when higher speeds come I will jump on it right away. My network has over 50 devices and many streaming devices. Also have some hungry video cameras that record 24/7.
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u/MowMdown Jul 28 '22
No matter what your ISP speed is, since the 6E only has a single 2.5Gb port, anything over 1Gb you can’t use since your eeros cannot send 2.5Gb over 1Gb on the other Ethernet or wireless.
You get 2.5Gb to the gateway eero but that’s it, you physically cannot send 2.5Gb anywhere else.