Second Broadband ROuter?

Question

My wife works at home and is provided with broadband from her company which is secure in terms of a sonicwall, can i connect another router/modem to the line so we can have a 'home' network?

Answer 1

Maybe, maybe not.

First off, daisy chaining routers is an advanced configuration. If you are not familiar with IP subnetting you'll pull your hair out trying to get it working.

However, my guess is that the SonicWall firewall is also a VPN device that limits her access to the company's network and approved internet sites. If that's the case -- and I'd bet a steak dinner that it is -- then there's no way you're going to set up a home network on that connection.

If the SonicWall box doesn't limit access to her company's network, a Wireless Access Point would be a better investment than a Wireless Router. It will be much easier to set up and you won't have to worry about conflicting IP subnets as you might with a router. Some wireless routers can be configured as wireless access points (I have a US Robotics one that works that way) but be sure before you buy.

One last thought. Her company probably has an explicit policy on the use of company IT resources. You'll want to have a look at that before you mess with anything. Violating company security policies could get her fired; you probably don't want to risk that!

Answer 2

The first connection is called a modem, while the second is a router. It will be ok to add one more router that the modem plugs into, if you route wireing to your computer or get wireless. But its not the best to add a second router into the network, because when you add in a router it then controls to IP adress for every computer, and adding a second one will cause a conflict.