Some Internet service providers (ISP) require VLAN tagging (virtual local area network tagging) in order for their modems to communicate with wireless routers.
Use Nest Wifi or Google Wifi with a VLAN-tagged broadband connection
The right VLAN-tagging setup for your network depends on your ISP and the country that you're in.
Australia or New Zealand
Google supports VLAN tag values of 2 and 10 in Australia and New Zealand, from a possible range of 0 to 4095. If your ISP requires a different tag, your setup will require an additional device for it to work. To determine the tag required, check with your ISP or modem's manual.
Nest Wifi and Google Wifi (Wi-Fi 5) devices built or updated after June 2020
These devices automatically support VLAN tag values of 2 and 10, and additional steps aren't usually needed to set up Nest Wifi or Google Wifi.
Nest Wifi and Google Wifi devices built or updated before June 2020
Some devices with older firmware don't support VLAN tagging out of the box. For these, you'll need additional equipment to support VLAN tag values of 2 and 10, or your setup will fail.
- Temporarily use a VLAN-supported router to set up your network.
- Once your network is set up and online, Nest Wifi and Google Wifi devices will be able to download an update that allows them to support VLAN tagging. This will allow you to set up your Nest Wifi router or Google Wifi primary point again in the future without additional equipment.
Note: If your ISP requires a VLAN tag value other than 2 or 10, follow the steps for all other countries.
When VLAN tagging is required by your ISP, for some Nest Wifi and Google Wifi devices to work, you'll need to add a switch to your network or use an additional VLAN-supported router.
To confirm if your ISP uses VLAN tagging, or if you have an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service through your ISP, ask your ISP if your CPE box (ISP-provided modem or router) requires a VLAN tag. If it does, and isn't a Google-supported tag, follow the instructions below.
Use a managed network switch
Add a separate managed network switch (sometimes called a 'smart network switch') with VLAN features:
- Connect your modem's LAN port to the switch's WAN port
with an Ethernet cable.
- Connect the switch's LAN port to your Nest Wifi router's or Google Wifi primary point's WAN port
- If your switch has the option for Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), make sure that it's disabled. You should also forward Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) when STP is disabled. This will avoid technical issues with some managed switches, as it relates to routing and network loops.
- When finished, set up your Nest Wifi or Google Wifi devices in the Google Home app.
If you have a router already connected that supports VLAN tagging, you can add your Nest Wifi router or Google Wifi primary point to it.
- Connect your modem's LAN port to the third-party router's WAN port with an Ethernet cable.
- Connect the third-party router to the Nest Wifi router or primary Wifi point's WAN port
- When finished, set up your Nest Wifi or Google Wifi devices in the Google Home app.
With this configuration, you might run into Double NAT, which isn't necessarily a problem. But if it's causing problems, it's recommended that you put your third-party router in bridge mode and turn off Wi-Fi on your third-party router to avoid interference.