Got my Shaw Modem in the mail (1 gigabyte  if it matters for model). Installed working no issues.(installed in basement - furnace room)

Installed 3, Cat6A runs in my basement they go to a switch and the switch is plugged directly into 1 of 2 ports on the Shaw modem.

I have another run that goes to the main level of my house, I want to make my personal router (Nighthawk R7000 - AC1900) an access point. This is plugged into the other port of the Shaw modem.

(only two ports for internet, not sure why so few. There are also two ports for phone)

I don’t want to bridge the connection because I want the benefit of the wi fi from the Shaw modem in the basement and from my personal modem upstairs (and to use the other ports as a switch)

Configuring the Nighthawk modem to an Access Point is easy enough, disable DCHP and retrieve IP from host (Shaw)  modem.

I understand I should use a lan port on the Nighthawk modem and not the wan.

They are both have the same SSID and Password. (Tried a different SSID, still didn’t work)

Only option on the Shaw modem is to bridge connection.

I can’t get it working 

looking for any assistance.