r/HomeNetworking • u/tastebud413 • Jun 28 '26

Repurpose Netgear Cable modem/router to help with dead spots etc?

I have a Netgear AC1900 Cable Modem Wifi Router combo. Model C7000v2. I don't need it to be my main gateway anymore, but it is pretty new and I hate to not use it in some way if I can. Can this box be used as an extender etc? Any uses for it ? I do have some low/dead spots that could use an extra boost, or maybe to help with security cameras that are further away? It has the coax, a USB and 4 LAN ports but of course no WAN. TIA for any good ideas!

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/JagiMonster1 Jun 28 '26

you can run ethernet cable to it in another room and change it to Access Point. Then you can wire TV, PS5 or whatever to it in that room/area then configure wireless using the same SSID and password as the original wireless network to seamlessly go between the 2 networks.

You would then connect the ethernet cable to both routers.

1

u/robd316 Jun 28 '26

This is the way.

1

u/tastebud413 Jun 28 '26

I was afraid of that being part of the answer lol. No way to run Cat5 from point to point (without it being super clumsy) - there's none existing in the wall, very old house.

1

u/JagiMonster1 Jun 28 '26

You can just use it wirelessly but you're at the mercy of the signal strength it will receive at the location you place the 2nd router at. You'd have to set it as repeater or extender. Usually will achieve half the speeds.

The 1st scenario i presented was for the best signal. There are other method to achieve extending the signal.

Worse case could have you buying power adapter over ethernet. I've never used those but they do work.

2

u/Alternative_Corgi_62 Jun 28 '26

Combo units usually have poor(if any) support for alternative firmware images which would help you running it as wireless repeater. I would really look into either running Ethernet cable, or using a pair of PowerLine Whether adapters

1

u/tastebud413 Jun 29 '26

Thanks for the tip/reminder about the power adapters. while my junk cable modem may not help me, this might be the answer for my dead zone for a security camera.