Setting Up Shipshape with Eero Mesh WiFi

Overview

Eero mesh WiFi systems are one of the most popular home networking setups, and they work great with Shipshape. The Shipshape Gateway connects via a wired ethernet cable to your Eero base unit, and from there, everything operates normally.

This guide covers how to connect your Shipshape Gateway to an Eero system, what to do if you are out of ethernet ports, and a few notes on bridge mode and other common Eero configurations.

The Key Rule: Connect to the Base Unit

Eero mesh systems have two types of hardware:

• Base unit (Eero gateway): This is the main Eero that plugs directly into your modem or ISP equipment. It is the "brain" of your mesh network.
• Satellite units (Eero beacons or additional Eeros): These are the additional units placed around your home to extend WiFi coverage.

Always connect your Shipshape Gateway to the Eero base unit, not a satellite. The base unit is the one with the active internet connection. Satellite units relay WiFi wirelessly and typically do not provide reliable ethernet passthrough for devices like the Shipshape Gateway.

How to identify your base unit: It is the Eero that has an ethernet cable running from your modem or ISP router into it. If you are not sure which one it is, open the Eero app and look for the unit labeled as the gateway.

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Locate Your Eero Base Unit

Find the main Eero unit. It is usually near your modem or ISP equipment, often in a home office, living room, or utility area.

Step 2: Find an Open Ethernet Port

Most Eero models have two ethernet ports on the back:

• One port is already used for the connection from your modem
• One port should be available for the Shipshape Gateway

If both ports are in use (for example, one goes to the modem and one goes to a desktop computer or game console), see the "No Open Ports" section below.

Step 3: Connect the Gateway

1. Plug one end of the Shipshape ethernet cable into the open port on the back of your Eero base unit
2. Plug the other end into the ethernet port on the Shipshape Gateway
3. Plug in the gateway's power adapter
4. Wait about 2 minutes for the gateway to boot up and establish its connection

Step 4: Pair in the App

Follow the standard gateway pairing process in the Shipshape Home app:

1. Open the app and navigate to Menu > Network > Add New Gateway
2. Select Aeotec Gateway
3. Scan the QR code on the gateway
4. Wait for the two green checkmarks (Registered and Connected)
5. Tap Finish

For the full pairing walkthrough, see Connecting Your Shipshape Gateway.

No Open Ports? Use a Network Switch

If your Eero base unit has no available ethernet ports, the fix is simple: add a small network switch.

A network switch is an inexpensive device (around $15 to $20) that expands one ethernet port into several. Here is how to set it up:

1. Unplug one of the existing ethernet cables from the Eero's second port
2. Plug that cable into the network switch
3. Plug a new ethernet cable from the switch back into the Eero
4. Plug the Shipshape Gateway ethernet cable into another port on the switch

Now both the original device and the Shipshape Gateway share that single Eero port through the switch. A basic 5-port unmanaged switch from any electronics store works perfectly for this purpose.

Tip: Network switches do not require any configuration. Plug them in and they work automatically. No software, no settings, no passwords.

Eero Bridge Mode

Some homes run their Eero system in bridge mode. This happens when your ISP's modem or router already handles DHCP (the system that assigns network addresses to devices). In bridge mode, the Eero handles WiFi but lets the ISP equipment manage the network.

Shipshape works fine with Eero in bridge mode. The gateway only needs an ethernet connection to receive a network address and reach the internet. It does not matter whether that address comes from the Eero or from your ISP's equipment upstream.

If you are not sure whether your Eero is in bridge mode, do not worry about it. It will not affect the Shipshape setup either way.

For Other Mesh WiFi Systems

While this article focuses on Eero, the same principles apply to all mesh WiFi systems:

| Mesh System | Connect Gateway To | |------------|-------------------| | Eero | Base unit (gateway Eero) | | Google Nest WiFi | Primary router (not points) | | Orbi | Router unit (not satellites) | | Linksys Velop | Primary node | | TP-Link Deco | Main Deco unit | | AmpliFi | Router unit (not mesh points) |

The rule is always the same: connect to the main unit that plugs into your modem, not the satellite units that extend your WiFi coverage.

Troubleshooting

Gateway is not showing as connected in the app

• Confirm the ethernet cable is plugged into the Eero base unit, not a satellite
• Check that the cable is firmly seated on both ends (you should feel a click)
• Verify your internet is working by testing WiFi on your phone
• Power cycle the gateway: unplug power, wait 10 seconds, plug back in

Gateway was working but went offline

• Check that the Eero base unit is still powered on and online
• Verify the ethernet cable has not come loose (pets and cleaning can dislodge cables)
• Restart the gateway by unplugging and reconnecting power
• If the issue persists, restart the Eero base unit as well

Both Eero ports are full and you do not want a switch

• Some newer Eero models have only one ethernet port (used for the modem connection). In this case, a network switch is required. There is no way around it, but the good news is that switches are inexpensive and require zero setup.

Need Help?

If you are having any trouble connecting your Shipshape Gateway to your Eero system, reach out to our support team at (512) 221-2584. You can also chat with SAM in the Shipshape app for quick troubleshooting help.