Backhaul

Backhaul is the connection that carries traffic between mesh units or access points and your main router.

What it means for you

A wired Ethernet backhaul is the most reliable, because wireless backhaul shares airtime with your devices and can slow down with distance and walls. If you cannot run a cable, MoCA over existing coax is one wired option.

Guides on this topic

• Mesh Wi-Fi vs. a Traditional Router

  When one router is enough and when mesh, extenders or wired access points make more sense.

• MoCA vs Powerline Adapters

  Ethernet over coax or over electrical wiring: which fits your home, what to check before you buy, and MoCA 2.5 and powerline picks.

• NETGEAR Orbi Setup and Troubleshooting

  Orbi light colors, satellite sync, magenta and no-internet fixes, Ethernet backhaul and the IoT network, from NETGEAR support.

• ASUS ZenWiFi and AiMesh Setup and Troubleshooting

  ZenWiFi light colors, adding AiMesh nodes, weak links, Ethernet backhaul and IoT networks, from ASUS support.

Related terms

• Mesh Wi-Fi
• Ethernet
• MoCA
• Access point

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Definitions are short and general. For model-specific details, check your device maker’s own documentation.