Operation Modes
This article guides you through the settings of operation modes for your Synology Router at Network Center > Operation Modes.
Contents
Wireless router
The wireless router mode is the default operation mode. Your Synology Router in this mode transfers data from one network to another (e.g., your local network and the Internet) and finds optimized paths using a routing table.
With this mode, you can also ensure that all data are forwarded through Network Address Translation (NAT). For example, if a packet traverses outside the local network, your Synology Router translates the private IP address of its source (e.g., 192.168.1.1) into a public IP address.
This mode is recommended under the following circumstances:
- Your local network requires extra security, e.g., firewall, NAT, and DMZ.
- You need to create several subnets within a local network.
Note:
- To use the wireless router mode, make sure your Synology Router is connected through one of the following methods:
- With an ISP modem: Connect the WAN port of your Synology Router to the LAN port of an ISP modem with an Ethernet cable.
- Without an ISP modem: Connect the WAN port of your Synology Router to the Internet port on the wall/ground with an Ethernet cable.
- NAT is enabled by default in the wireless router mode.
Wireless AP (access point)
The wireless AP mode (also called the bridge mode) turns your Synology Router into a network switch. In this mode, your Synology Router provides wired/wireless access but cannot select routes for data transmission. Assigning IP addresses to clients in the local network is not available, either.
This mode is recommended under the following circumstances:
- Your Synology Router is already connected to an ISP modem or router for Internet access with an Ethernet cable.
Note:
- There are several limitations on the wireless AP mode:
- Features at the Port Forwarding and Traffic Control tabs in Network Center are not available.
- DHCP for the local network is disabled, but your Synology Router can still assign IP addresses to clients in the guest network.
- All Ethernet ports are trunk ports and always belong to the primary network.
- To ensure that SRM packages (e.g., Safe Access) can function properly, make sure the Ethernet cable connected to the parent router is plugged in to the WAN port of your Synology Router.