In GL-iNet’s documentation, when a device like MT3000 is connected to WAN via wifi, this is called “repeater mode”. I found this practice to be confusing.
Clearly, MT3000 is providing a routing function by (1) capable of setting up a VPN (2) managing devices connected its LAN side by assigning them local IP addresses.
It is my understanding that repeater is a layer 2 device, while MT3000 etc are layer 3 devices.
Hi
These terms can indeed be confusing.
Generally speaking:
Repeater: Connects to the main router via Wi-Fi and creates its own subnet (providing three-layer isolation)
Extender: Connects to the main router via Wi-Fi but does not create its own subnet (does not provide three-layer isolation)
Got it. So in wifi context, a repeater is a layer 3 device, while a extender is a layer 2 device.
But whether GL-inet device is connected via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or tethering, it is always acting as a layer 3 device. It seems pointless to refer to a Wi-Fi connection as repeater, as it will never (or should never) act as an extender.
It might be more intuitive for users to refer to the connection types simply as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or tethering. Such naming convention focuses on the physical nature of the connection rather than the operational layer which should be layer 3 as always.
In practice, these terms are mainly used to distinguish between the operating modes of Wi-Fi routers.
Wi-Fi itself functions at Layer 2, while routers inherently operate up to Layer 7 (e.g., VPN).
Directly referring to WAN access methods as “Wi-Fi,” “Ethernet,” or “Tethering” may be clearer and more intuitive.
We’ll discuss this with the product team and explore whether future firmware versions can be improved in this regard.