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Yes. Routers from different brands can share an Ethernet network through a switch. The important part is how each router is configured: choose one as the main gateway, and set a second router to access-point mode if it is only extending Wi-Fi or wired access and supports that mode. A switch connects Ethernet devices; it does not coordinate multiple routers’ gateway or DHCP services.
Do routers and switches have to be the same brand?
No. A switch can connect equipment from different manufacturers over Ethernet. Manufacturer guidance gives examples of adding wired devices to a mesh network through a switch: NETGEAR’s Orbi support instructions describe connecting a switch downstream of an Orbi router or satellite. That documents a supported Orbi arrangement, not certification of every possible router-and-switch combination.
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For a basic network, the switch’s job is to extend the number of available Ethernet connections. It does not decide which router is the gateway, manage competing DHCP servers, or make otherwise incompatible settings work together.
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Main router: gateway and network services
Pick one device to act as the network’s main router. In router mode, a device can provide gateway functions and DHCP service. If multiple devices are left in router mode, their services may overlap; what happens depends on the devices and how they are connected. That does not mean every arrangement with two routers must fail, but it does mean you should plan their roles rather than connect them indiscriminately.
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Second router: access point, when available
If the second device is there to provide Wi-Fi or additional wired connections, use its documented access-point (AP) mode when available. In AP mode, the existing router remains the gateway while the second device extends network access. Features can change or become unavailable in AP mode, and the exact port to use depends on the model. Follow that device’s instructions rather than assuming every router uses the same port behavior.
NETGEAR’s Orbi documentation describes AP mode and notes that some features are unavailable in that mode. TP-Link’s Deco guidance explains that Deco can work with an existing router in router or AP mode, with the chosen mode determining which device acts as gateway.
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Connect the switch in the right place
- Choose the main router. Confirm which device will provide the gateway and DHCP service.
- Configure the second router for its intended role. Use its documented AP mode if it is extending the existing network and the model supports that mode. Check which port and settings the manual specifies.
- Connect the switch to the existing LAN. For Orbi, NETGEAR says to connect the switch to the Orbi router or satellite, not directly to the modem. Other products may have different diagrams, so use their model-specific instructions.
- Connect wired devices to the switch. Check that each port shows a link and that the attached device receives network settings from the intended router.
A switch is useful for adding wired connections, but it does not replace a router or automatically turn a second router into an access point.
Mesh systems have their own wiring rules
Do not assume that a mesh kit’s satellites can be wired in the same way in every mode. TP-Link says Deco units in router mode should connect downstream of the main Deco to avoid a network loop; its wiring options differ in AP mode. Follow the wiring diagram for the mesh model and operating mode you use: TP-Link’s Deco Ethernet-backhaul guidance.
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TP-Link lists the TL-SG108 among switches verified for Deco Ethernet backhaul. That is a compatibility example for the stated Deco use, not proof that every switch is suitable for every mesh system or configuration: TP-Link’s verified-switch guidance.
When VLAN settings matter
Most simple home expansions do not require VLAN configuration. VLANs become relevant when the network uses managed-switch features, tagged traffic, or a product feature that depends on VLANs. In that case, check that the router, switch, and access points agree on VLAN IDs and on which ports carry tagged or untagged traffic.
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NETGEAR’s VLAN guidance distinguishes access ports from trunk ports and notes that support for 802.1Q tagging varies by device. It describes most home routers as not supporting 802.1Q tagging as a general guideline, not as a guarantee about any particular model. An unmanaged switch does not provide the same VLAN controls as a managed one. See NETGEAR’s VLAN guidance and its discussion of tagging support.
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If the connection does not work
- No link on a port: Check the Ethernet cable, the port, and the device’s link indicator.
- A device connects but has no usable network access: Check its IP address and default gateway, and identify which device is providing DHCP.
- Access to a mesh node or wired backhaul fails: Verify the topology against the mesh manufacturer’s instructions for the selected mode.
- Only VLAN-dependent traffic fails: Check the VLAN ID and tagged or untagged settings on each relevant switch port, as well as device support for 802.1Q.
These checks follow from the documented roles of routers, AP mode, switches, and VLAN ports; they are not a claim that a particular cross-brand setup has been tested.
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What compatibility guidance does—and does not—establish
Manufacturer support documents establish that switches can add wired devices to particular networks, that router and AP modes assign different roles, and that mesh wiring and VLAN behavior can be model-dependent. They do not certify every combination of brands. For a specific setup, the router models, firmware, ISP gateway configuration, mesh mode, and any VLAN requirements determine which wiring and settings are appropriate.
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