HomeKit Help with setup of Eero Pro 6 WiFi with HomeKit

[DekuBleep]

I have been looking for a new WiFi 6 router, and I am deciding upon the Eero Pro 6 because it just got HomeKit support. Haven't bought it yet, but I am trying to figure out how I would set it up when I do buy it.

So currently I have a Verizon Fios Router set up next to where all the old phone lines connect in my house (and I converted my phone lines into 1Gbps ethernet cables). Then I connect my two Airport Extreme ac routers at two different places to the other end of the ethernet cables so both Airport Extreme's get connected to the internet via ethernet. Both Airport Extreme's are set up in "bridge mode" and they are set up to each create their own wireless network but both networks have the same name and password so that they effectively are the same wireless network.

So I'd like to get two Eero Pro 6 WiFi routers and I'd like to be able to connect them both to my Verizon Fios router via ethernet to get the fastest internet connection and I'd like to get the benefit of HomeKit and all the "smart" features of the Eero Pro 6. (So that rules out using "bridge mode" as far as I can tell from reading the Eero web page.) Can anyone give me any advice on how to I would set up the Eero Pro 6 to take advantage of my ethernet cables going through my house and also get the smart features? Thanks!

 

[haralds]

In your setup, you would likely be better of in bridge mode for the eero, too. I bridge mode you lose some of the smart features.
You could check with Verizon whether there is a way to use the FIOS router as just a modem or bridge and have the eero act as the router.
I have found the eero support to be great, they might be able to have experience with the Version equipment. Check with them.
Overall the eero has been great - set and forget. I have the WiFo Pro 6 with 3 routers and one WiFi extender I sometimes use for outside. Our pool is some distance from the house. The setup is no trouble for my Macs but my son's Windows laptop needs a boost when he is out there.

 

[DekuBleep]

In your setup, you would likely be better of in bridge mode for the eero, too. I bridge mode you lose some of the smart features.
You could check with Verizon whether there is a way to use the FIOS router as just a modem or bridge and have the eero act as the router.
I have found the eero support to be great, they might be able to have experience with the Version equipment. Check with them.
Overall the eero has been great - set and forget. I have the WiFo Pro 6 with 3 routers and one WiFi extender I sometimes use for outside. Our pool is some distance from the house. The setup is no trouble for my Macs but my son's Windows laptop needs a boost when he is out there.

Thanks! I mean if I am going to use bridge mode and give up all the "smart" features of the Eero including HomeKit then I feel like I might as well use a different WiFi 6 router.

 

[DekuBleep]

Actually I am going to order two of the Linksys AX4200. Amazon calls the two pack the AX4000 for some reason.

Linksys MX8000 Mesh WiFi Router - AX4000 WiFi 6 Router - Velop Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Router - WiFi 6 Mesh Computer Routers For Wireless Internet - Internet Router - Connect 80+ Devices, 5,400 Sq Ft, 2-Pk

Linksys AX4000 Smart Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Whole Home WiFi Mesh System (MX8000)- Comes with Linksys Authenticity Seal. Linksys Velop WiFi 6 Whole Home Mesh System (MX8000) is a system that delivers next-level streaming and gaming to more than 80+ devices on your network. It offers a reliable connec...

www.amazon.com

https://dongknows.com/linksys-velop-mx4200-ax4200-mesh-router-review/

This reviewer says that they are good for my setup and I will get to use all three bands for WIFI traffic because the third band is not dedicated to communicating with the other router.

 

[Itinj24]

Actually I am going to order two of the Linksys AX4200. Amazon calls the two pack the AX4000 for some reason.

Linksys MX8000 Mesh WiFi Router - AX4000 WiFi 6 Router - Velop Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Router - WiFi 6 Mesh Computer Routers For Wireless Internet - Internet Router - Connect 80+ Devices, 5,400 Sq Ft, 2-Pk

Linksys AX4000 Smart Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Whole Home WiFi Mesh System (MX8000)- Comes with Linksys Authenticity Seal. Linksys Velop WiFi 6 Whole Home Mesh System (MX8000) is a system that delivers next-level streaming and gaming to more than 80+ devices on your network. It offers a reliable connec...

www.amazon.com

https://dongknows.com/linksys-velop-mx4200-ax4200-mesh-router-review/

This reviewer says that they are good for my setup and I will get to use all three bands for WIFI traffic because the third band is not dedicated to communicating with the other router.

Delete

 

[Itinj24]

Actually I am going to order two of the Linksys AX4200. Amazon calls the two pack the AX4000 for some reason.

Linksys MX8000 Mesh WiFi Router - AX4000 WiFi 6 Router - Velop Tri-Band WiFi Mesh Router - WiFi 6 Mesh Computer Routers For Wireless Internet - Internet Router - Connect 80+ Devices, 5,400 Sq Ft, 2-Pk

Linksys AX4000 Smart Mesh Wi-Fi 6 Router Whole Home WiFi Mesh System (MX8000)- Comes with Linksys Authenticity Seal. Linksys Velop WiFi 6 Whole Home Mesh System (MX8000) is a system that delivers next-level streaming and gaming to more than 80+ devices on your network. It offers a reliable connec...

www.amazon.com

https://dongknows.com/linksys-velop-mx4200-ax4200-mesh-router-review/

This reviewer says that they are good for my setup and I will get to use all three bands for WIFI traffic because the third band is not dedicated to communicating with the other router.

I wonder when the Linksys 6 will get Homekit now. Took a while for the 5 after the eero pro got it. Wish Apple would just get back into the networking game lol.

 

[DekuBleep]

I wonder when the Linksys 6 will get Homekit now. Took a while for the 5 after the eero pro got it. Wish Apple would just get back into the networking game lol.

I hope so. Seems like Apples certification process takes a long time for some reason.

 

[thatsthequy]

You should be able to call Verizon and have them configure your ONT so you can replace the Fios router with an eero.

Then connect a cheap unmanaged switch with enough ports to plug in the old phone lines you reterminated. Any other eeros can be plugged in at the other ends of those runs. Just be sure it is ONT > eero > switch > everything else.

Note you only get the per-device PSK benefits of HKSR if you re-and-re all your HomeKit devices. Worth it IMO.

 

[Itinj24]

You should be able to call Verizon and have them configure your ONT so you can replace the Fios router with an eero.

Then connect a cheap unmanaged switch with enough ports to plug in the old phone lines you reterminated. Any other eeros can be plugged in at the other ends of those runs. Just be sure it is ONT > eero > switch > everything else.

Note you only get the per-device PSK benefits of HKSR if you re-and-re all your HomeKit devices. Worth it IMO.

This is exactly what I did but I believe it’s only possible if you don’t have FiOS cable TV otherwise you have to use their modem/router for the coax connection for TV.

 

[DekuBleep]

This is exactly what I did but I believe it’s only possible if you don’t have FiOS cable TV otherwise you have to use their modem/router for the coax connection for TV.

I want to do the same thing… so can I ask how do you set up the FIOS router? Also what Ethernet switch did you buy? Thanks!

 

[Itinj24]

I want to do the same thing… so can I ask how do you set up the FIOS router? Also what Ethernet switch did you buy? Thanks!

I used to use FiOS cable TV but since switching to AT&T TV streaming on the AppleTV, I didn’t need their modem router combo. When I set up Verizon internet in my new house I let them know that a combo wasn’t needed and only needed the modem which they mounted in a box on the outside wall of the house with the ethernet cable running inside. The ethernet cable from the modem is connected directly to an eero Pro 6. The other ethernet port on the eero is connected to a TrendNet 16 port Gigabit switch.

I’m not well versed in ethernet switches but my wife picked it up at Best Buy on her way home from work one day. It works well so no complaints.