Home Network Design with CGNAT Avoidance

I built this project to solve a real problem: extending fast, reliable Wi-Fi across a two-floor home while dealing with Jio Fiber’s CGNAT and the limitations of consumer-grade routers. Using TP-Link hardware I already had, I designed a setup with multiple subnets, isolated traffic, and improved coverage — all without relying on static IPs or bridge mode.

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📐 Network Architecture

The setup includes:

• Jio Fiber Router (ISP default)
• TP-Link Archer C6 (acting as the main LAN router, connected via LAN-to-WAN)
• TP-Link TL-WR1502x Travel Router (running in hotspot mode, connects wirelessly to Jio)
• TP-Link Wi-Fi Extender (used to boost the travel router’s signal on the upper floor)

Each device runs on its own subnet to avoid IP conflicts and give me more control over what connects where.

🔧 Subnets

Device	Subnet	Purpose
Jio Fiber Router	192.168.10.0/24	Main ISP network (default)
Archer C6	192.168.20.0/24	Primary network for main devices
Travel Router	192.168.30.0/24	Isolated subnet via Wi-Fi hotspot

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📸 Screenshots

Here are a few screenshots to give you a closer look at the setup:

• Network Topology Diagram
  

• Archer C6 WAN Settings
  

• Travel Router Hotspot Mode
  

• Wi-Fi Extender Status
  

• Speed Test Results
  

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🚧 Setup Overview

Here’s how I built it:

1. Jio Router

   • Left DHCP enabled (default)
   • Reserved a static IP for Archer C6

2. Archer C6

   • Connected its WAN port to a LAN port on the Jio router
   • Created its own subnet: 192.168.20.0/24
   • Handles DHCP for connected devices

3. Travel Router

   • Set to hotspot (client) mode, connected wirelessly to Jio’s Wi-Fi
   • Broadcasts its own SSID
   • Separate subnet: 192.168.30.0/24

4. Wi-Fi Extender

   • Linked to the travel router’s SSID
   • Placed on the second floor to eliminate dead zones

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⚙️ Devices Used

• TP-Link Archer C6
• TP-Link TL-WR1502x Travel Router
• TP-Link Wi-Fi Extender
• Jio Fiber Router (ISP default)

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🧠 Challenges I Ran Into

• Jio doesn’t support bridge mode or public IPs because of CGNAT
• Double NAT made port forwarding tricky and added a bit of latency
• My routers initially had overlapping subnets, which broke DHCP
• Signal was weak upstairs until I added the extender

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✅ How I Solved Them

• Avoided double NAT issues by isolating each router on its own subnet
• Placed the extender where the travel router signal was still strong
• Reassigned subnets to make sure nothing overlapped
• Created logical separation between networks to control traffic flow

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🔮 What’s Next

• Upgrade to a mesh setup or managed VLAN switch (like TP-Link ER605)
• Use mesh supported AP routers

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🙋‍♂️ About Me

I'm someone who loves solving real-world tech problems — especially with limited tools.
This network project is one of many experiments I’ve done to better understand home networking, subnetting, and what’s possible with off-the-shelf hardware.

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📎 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.
You’re free to use, modify, and share it for personal or commercial use.

📌 Want to contribute improvements?
Feel free to fork this repo, clone it, and tweak it to fit your own setup — or share it with friends and family.
Happy networking! 📡