Starlink ethernet adapter

As mentioned in another post, I just got Starlink. The router doesn't have any ports and they sell an ethernet adapter, which I've sent for. From what I can see it just has the one slot for one ethernet cable. So I'm just trying to work out the best way to connect a second router, plus an existing ethernet cable to a desktop.

I could link the second router via the ethernet adapter and run the desktop ethernet cable to the back of the second (Asus) router which already has ethernet points. Would that be the best way to do it?

My Wireless DSL PoE Modem has 2 Ethernet ports, one is the power/data cable out to the dish/antenna and the other is for a computer. For my network the computer-cable is plugged into the Uplink port on the Wireless Router then the computer plugs into one of the 4 ports on the Router.

Hazel123 said:

second router via the ethernet adapter and run the desktop ethernet cable to the back of the second (Asus) router which already has ethernet points. Would that be the best way to do it?

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Yes, As long as old router is set up in access point mode.

Not sure how to do that. Is that the same as bypass mode? Ie so second router becomes the main router.

Hazel123 said:

so second router becomes the main router

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No. Your main router will continue to be your main router. You are seeking to accomplish 3 things.
1. Users to be able to login as "Guest" (Your new router does not have this option, but your old router does)
2. Be able to use ethernet ports as well as wireless.
3. Have stronger wireless signal in other parts of your home. (this is assuming your second router will be located in another room from your main router and you are able to use a longer ethernet cable to connect to it. If your cable length is limited and it's located in same room, chances are wireless signal strength will be the same so you will accomplish only 1 & 2)

I'm using mine as an example:
Router A=main router has ip of 192.168.0.1-assigned SSID Linda. It broadcasts the ssids Linda and Linda-5G
This router handles DHCP and assigns the ip addresses for all my devices no matter which router/ssid I choose in list of available networks.

Router B=secondary router wired with long cat6 cable located in my office at other end of house (thereby giving me a stronger wireless signal in my back yard) -I manually assigned its ip as 192.168.0.2 (a subset of my main router) Since my old router did not have an AP mode built in, I had to disable DHCP and port forwarding. This is done automatically IF your old router has an AP option to select. I assigned SSID Linda1 to this secondary router. It broadcasts ssids Linda1, Linda1-5G. Linda1-Guest and Linda1-Guest-5G.
(It is entirely up to you whether you want to broadcast each band or not, depending on how you option it. You may choose to use it as a Guest router only.The important thing is that it's assigned its own ssid)

My main computer in my office is wired to this router's ethernet port.

Know that since an AP uses a separate ssid from your main router, if you roam within your home using a wireless device, your wireless signal will NOT change from one router to the other since the ssids are different. Only a range extender retains its wireless signal throughout your home. However, your bandwith is cut in half by using range extenders.

Thanks. Yes I believe there are two options with the Starlink router. One is to bypass it so the second router becomes the main router (in which case presumably it's just a modem then). I was thinking of this option because then I won't need an extender and have the issue of bandwidth drop. The Asus router covers the whole area better than the Skylink router. The other option is to not bypass it and have the second router as an extender. So that's what I was trying to work out.

If the main router is the Asus one, bypassing the skylink one - presumably I can just do the ethernet for the desktop straight off the Asus one?

Sure. If there is an option in the Starlink to turn routing function off, do that, connect it to your own router that works the way you want it to, and test it. You will know right quick if that's what bypass option actually does.

Thanks - I kind of worked out what I meant after reading your post Apparently it's an option to bypass and have the other router as the main router. I'll have to see if that works.

So basically I only need the ethernet adapter to connect the routers. And connect the desktop ethernet to the Asus router - as I did before.

@Hazel123, Are you still happy with the speed you're getting?

Absolutely. The speeds vary. At one point they were over 200mbps when they're only advertised up to 160mbps . However the wifi strength (and speeds) drop off, the further you are from the router. So the router is in the computer room with the fastest speeds. In other parts of the house it's only 30mbps when it's 80 to 150 in the computer room. But I'm not complaining. "Only 30mbps" is still a lot more than we had before lol.

It's ideal for open countryside. Really didn't expect it to work and still getting over the shock.

All of this is explained by following these links:

Ok so wondering if I need a modem as well - my Asus router usually needs a separate modem. I'm guessing the starlink router would act as the modem - but not entirely sure about that working as a modem if wifi is disabled via the bypass option.

I actually have two Asus routers - one that needs a separate modem and one dsl one with built in modem. So not sure which one to use. Would it be "too much modem" if I had the asus router with the built in modem and the starlink router was also a modem? (As you can see I know nothing about modems other than that some routers need a separate one). Googling doesn't mention much about whether a 3rd party router needs a modem as well.

Apparently Starlink doesn't use a conventional modem. Its router contains a propropietaty modem like hardware that converts the signal from the antenna to Wi-Fi. To use your own router you need to connect the Starlink Ethernet adapter to the Starlink Router and connect your router to that. If your router also includes WiFi you can disable the Starlink router's internal WiFi and use your routers WiFi instead. To turn off the Starlink router's internal WiFi turn on ‘Bypass’ mode in the Starlink app.

MisterEd said:

Apparently Starlink doesn't use a conventional modem. Its router contains a propropietaty modem like hardware that converts the signal from the antenna to Wi-Fi. To use your own router you need to connect the Starlink Ethernet adapter to the Starlink Router and connect your router to that. If your router also includes WiFi you can disable the Starlink router's internal WiFi and use your routers WiFi instead. To turn off the Starlink router's internal WiFi turn on ‘Bypass’ mode in the Starlink app.

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Thanks. So basically I don't need a modem? So many articles say about attaching your own router, but don't specify if a modem-less router would work better than a dsl router (or work at all). I guess I can try it out and see which works best.

That makes sense though - satellite is not dsl so you would think no dsl modem would be necessary. I will try with the Asus router (non dsl) and no modem.

Ok this seems to answer it also "A modem is not used with Starlink internet."


I find this interesting, as some people adding their own router might use one with a dsl built in modem without thinking. Although to be fair, I guess most people who would attach a third party router, have a good one that doesn't have dsl built in. Most Asus routers don't have a dsl modem and need a separate one.

But then some people might decide to use their BT Home hub or similar if the wifi range is better.

Just wondering what would happen if you used a dsl router when the modem isn't necessary? Slow downs? Or just wouldn't work?

Ok as an update, if anyone is interested or in a similar situation at some point. The modem is built into the satellite dish - so the Starlink router is just a router. Turning of "bypass" is done first. Then attaching another non dsl router, via ethernet to the 3rd party router WAN port. No particular settings needed other than setting up ssid and password. So fairly simple apparently. (I hope - haven't done it yet!).

Hazel123 said:

Thanks. So basically I don't need a modem? So many articles say about attaching your own router, but don't specify if a modem-less router would work better than a dsl router (or work at all). I guess I can try it out and see which works best.

That makes sense though - satellite is not dsl so you would think no dsl modem would be necessary. I will try with the Asus router (non dsl) and no modem.

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The Satellite uses radio frequencies so the modem has to convert the data before sending it to the router and vice versa.