[FAQ] Using two routers together/ Extending Wi-Fi

mickevh

Don't forget that you'll need a 5 port switch for such a configuration: 1 port for each piece of equipment (4) plus one for the uplink to the router.

We've seen 5 port switches available in the SOHO market for less than a tenner.

If you do have a spare router with enough ports, regard the "LAN" ports in your router as a "switch." 5 (LAN) port routers are rare (I've never heard of one, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.) Switches don't need IP addresses to "work", but you'll have to disable the DHCP Server in a "router-used-as-a-switch" to avoid the IP addressing issues as discussed above.

However, for the sake of a tenner, I'd buy a little switch. Nothing to configure, power it up, plug in, job done.

Muzic man

Can someone tell me is a Netgear N150, a hub then ? My router went down over christmas so i went to Argos and bought one of these thinking it would work the same, only to find there's no phone connector on it. Someone lent me a replacement sky router whilst i got a replacement one from e-bay. I took this back to Argos who informed me they dont do refunds on this item, so i'm stuck with it. But if this can be connected to the other router as a hub it could be just what i need.

leecavturbo

It can be used as a hub (switch) but you will only have 3 Ports left as you need 1 for the incoming cable. You can't connect it to the wan port (first or fifth port depending on how you look at it)

Muzic man

So do i need to set it up ?

mickevh

Yes - at the very least you'll have to turn off it's DHCP server.

And if you're going to that trouble, you may as well do the rest and benefit from additional wi-fi AP in your infrastructure (or turn the wi-fi off if you don't want it) and ensure you have no IP address conflicts.

Just follow the instructions above.

Muzic man

Thanks very much for your help.

franko3

Hope someone can help please, just changed my dir-615 with ddwrt for a stock dir-655 and wanted to use the 615 to extend my wifi coverage.
I changed all the settings that i thought I needed (I read that i should turn off security on 2nd router) and assumed the primary router would take care of security.
I can now connect wirelessly across the house - the thing is that the extended wifi is open & doesn't ask for a key. Should I enable wpa2 on both routers?
Many thanks for any advice.

leecavturbo

No mate you need security on both routers. The only thing you turn off is dhcp on the secondary router and any others you might add to your network

franko3

Thanks for that, have enabled it now with same wifi password as other router and all working ok.
Got a bit confused with the setup as I flashed it with ddwrt & there seems to be a few more variable settings than with the stock firmware.
Many thanks for the prompt reply.

NobleBenj

Just about to create a thread when when I stumbled on this thread:

"Two buildings 30M apart, one with broadband and the other without.

As I do not wish to add a second telephone line to my property, how can I get wi-fi in the second building using the existing broadband service?"

Is this the solution above? i.e Running a 30M cat6 cable out of the existing lan port of the wireless router to another (old) wireless router in the second building.  Thus giving me two wireless zones on the same network?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: have'nt been here in a while but I think Mr AVF just added links hmmm?