Why & How to Use a Separate Router for Guest Wi-Fi

At Jervis, we give hosts two ways to offer Guest Wi-Fi:

1. Commercial Access Points (APs) – UniFi, NETGEAR, or TP-Link hardware.
   • Professional-grade, reliable, and powerful.
   • Read more: How to Set Up Guest Wi-Fi (Commercial Access Point Based)
2. DNS-Based Guest Wi-Fi – For hosts who don’t want to buy commercial APs.
   • Very simple: just change DNS settings.
   • Read more: How to Set Up Guest Wi-Fi (DNS-Based)

But here’s the key:
👉 With DNS-based Guest Wi-Fi, you’ll want a separate router dedicated to guests.

Why?

• Smart device safety – Your locks, thermostats, cameras, and other admin devices should never live on the guest network. If the guest network is down (when no reservation is active), those devices lose internet.
• Reliability for guests – The guest router can have its own DNS rules, so your private devices aren’t impacted.
• Better control & security – Separate hardware means a clean line between “Owner Network” and “Guest Network.”

How to Set Up Guest Wi-Fi with a Separate Router

The easiest setup is to daisy chain a mesh router system to your main router.

What you’ll need:

• Your primary router (the one provided by your ISP or already in your home).
• A mesh router kit (affordable, easy to use). Popular options:
  • Amazon Eero (recommended for most hosts — plug-and-play simplicity)
  • TP-Link Deco
  • Google Nest Wi-Fi
  • NETGEAR Orbi

Step 1: Connect Your Guest Router

1. Plug the Guest Mesh Router (e.g., Eero) into one of the LAN ports on your Primary Router.
2. Power it on and follow the setup instructions in the router’s app.

Step 2: Create a Guest-Only Network

• During setup, name the new Wi-Fi network something like GuestHouse123 (different from your private Wi-Fi).
• Set a password you’ll share with guests only.

Step 3: Apply Jervis DNS Settings

• In the mesh router app (Eero, Deco, etc.), manually set DNS to Jervis’ Guest Wi-Fi DNS addresses. Our DNS guide here details how this works.
• This ensures the internet only works for guests when a reservation is active.

Step 4: Keep Your Private Devices Separate

• Connect all your smart locks, thermostats, cameras, and Jervis admin devices to your Owner Wi-Fi (Primary Router) only.
• Connect guests exclusively to the new Guest Wi-Fi.

Now, guests have fast, reliable Wi-Fi that automatically syncs with their reservation window, while your smart devices stay online and secure.