Mesh Wi-Fi systems allow users to connect to multiple routers within the same network using a single set of Wi-Fi SSID and password.

This article explains how to deploy a Synology mesh Wi-Fi system. The following terms will be used in this article:

• Wi-Fi point: Refers to a router.
• Primary Wi-Fi point: A router that will connect to a modem to get Internet access (also known as the primary router).
• Additional Wi-Fi points: Routers that will act as satellites, receiving their Internet access from the primary Wi-Fi point and then rebroadcasting it to nearby client devices (also known as additional routers).

• Supported versions of Synology Router Manager (SRM):
  • Only SRM 1.2 or above versions support the deployment of mesh Wi-Fi systems. Ensure that the primary Wi-Fi point's SRM has been updated to the latest version.
• Recommended maximum number of Wi-Fi points:
  • In a completely wireless uplink network: 1 primary Wi-Fi point + 6 supplemental Wi-Fi points.
  • In a completely wired uplink network: 1 primary Wi-Fi point + 12 supplemental Wi-Fi points.
  • In a network with both wireless and wired uplinks: we suggest not exceeding 12 supplemental Wi-Fi points.
• Supported topology of mesh Wi-Fi system:
  • On SRM 1.3.1 and above
    

    Primary Wi-Fi Point	Additional Wi-Fi Point
    RT6600ax	RT6600ax, WRX560, RT2600ac, MR2200ac
    WRX560	WRX560, RT2600ac, MR2200ac
    RT2600ac	RT2600ac, MR2200ac
    MR2200ac	MR2200ac

  • On SRM 1.3.0
    

    Primary Wi-Fi Point	Additional Wi-Fi Point
    RT6600ax	RT6600ax

  • On SRM 1.2.5
    

    Primary Wi-Fi Point	Additional Wi-Fi Point
    RT2600ac	MR2200ac
    MR2200ac	MR2200ac

• Wi-Fi points should be deployed in the following manner:
  • A mesh Wi-Fi system can be deployed through wired uplinks, wireless uplinks, or a combination of these two types.
  • For Wi-Fi points deployed via a wireless uplink: Keep Wi-Fi points at least one meter away from other points, but do not make the distance too far.
  • For Wi-Fi points deployed via a wired uplink: Currently, SRM only supports first-layer detection of wired unlinks to the primary Wi-Fi point during deployment. Make sure that all additional Wi-Fi points are connected to the primary router via the trunk port. Alternatively, you can also connect your primary and supplemental Wi-Fi points serially through a switch.

Prepare your Wi-Fi points

1. Connect all power cords between the Wi-Fi points and outlets.
2. Power on all your Wi-Fi points.
3. Wait until the LED indicators indicate that your Wi-Fi points are ready for setup. The startup process may take up to 10 minutes for each Wi-Fi point. If the LED indicators do not show the correct colors, please refer to the hard reset section in this article to reset your Wi-Fi points and try again.

Add Wi-Fi points

1. Launch the SRM of the primary Wi-Fi point via your computer's web browser or the mobile application DS router (watch this video tutorial). Complete the first-time installation if necessary.
2. Add the Wi-Fi points to your mesh Wi-Fi system:
   • For a new mesh Wi-Fi system: After completing the primary Wi-Fi point's first-time installation, click on Add Wi-Fi Point. SRM will guide you through the process of adding additional Wi-Fi points.
     
   • For an existing system:
     1. Update SRM on your primary Wi-Fi point to the latest version.
     2. Do a hard reset of the Synology devices you want to configure as additional Wi-Fi points.¹
     3. Go to Wi-Fi Connect > Wi-Fi Point and run the Add Wi-Fi Point wizard.² SRM will guide you through the process of adding additional Wi-Fi points.
        

Optimize placement and connections

1. Place your Wi-Fi points at the locations where you wish to extend the Wi-Fi signal. To learn how to deploy a Wi-Fi system to achieve the best connection, please refer to this article.
2. Set up the uplink network:
   • Wireless uplink: Adjust the location of the Wi-Fi points to maximize signal strength. You can check the signal strength through the LED indicators of the Wi-Fi points³ or at SRM > Wi-Fi Connect.
     
   • Ethernet uplink: Connect the WAN ports of supplemental Wi-Fi points to the LAN ports of the primary Wi-Fi point using Ethernet cables.⁴
     
     

Change the uplinks of Wi-Fi points on SRM

Once the mesh Wi-Fi system is created, if you wish to adjust the uplinks of certain Wi-Fi points, you can go to Wi-Fi Connect > Wi-Fi Point > Manage > Select the uplink type to change the uplinks of the Wi-Fi points.⁵