How to connect 2 routers (inksys) on network?

Question

Hi!

I was wondering how would I go about trying to connect a second router to another. My modem and wireless router are located in my living room. But most of where i do my work is in my office . Which the connection to the wireless is weak ,forcing me to use a switch and connect wired to my laptop. I have a spare wireless router laying around .And was think was it possible to take the switch out and replace it with the 2nd wireless router, giving me a better signal in my office.

Hardware I have

cable modem
wireless router 2 (linksys) dont know model
linksys switch

Answer 1

Check these links for improving Wireless signal

Answer 2

I don't advise this mostly because if you have to ask t his question you're not going to know much about networking or network topology.

Routers Route traffic (thus the name) You would have to configure both routers to work with each other set static IP addresses on each one and have the internet route through the "Main" router then then one you use as sort of like a switch/hub would route to your devices.

With "standard" wifi routers you pick up at the local electronics store (like your linksys routers) You can and WILL see packet loss - loss of data with this type of topology under this type of hardware.

What you should do is find a central location for your wifi router that works well within your house. Run a Cat5 or Cat6 cable from your internet adapter given to you from your ISP then run that to your network hub / linksys switch, then run another cat5/6 cable from the Hub to the WiFi router. This will probably be your best bet, you can also make an antenna for your home network.

Search Cantenna on google to find out more. They're cheap and easy to make.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I'm confused...you do most of your work on the laptop and it's hardwired now and you want to go wireless? why would you want to reduce your bandwidth to the main computer that you work on?

regarding the 2 routers. turn off the DHCP server function in the 2nd router and use it as an access point. connect it to the switch and give it a static IP address out of the range of the DHCP sever. configure the radio and security settings and use the same Channel as the first router and you should be able to roam around with a good signal.

Answer 4

If you have a router connected to your internet service, you would want to connect a switch after the router. Connecting 2 routers will only cause you problems unless you are a Certified Network Tech. You may connect as many Switches after a router to feed up to 253 computers.

Answer 5

yep you can do it, if you have the wire into your office, hook that up to a port on the wirless router, and then have it set up to dhcp to a different address range and give it a different ssid, then when you connect, connect to the right ssid to get the best signal strenght. Thats how i do it in my house. not real neat but it uses the equipment that I have in the house,

a better method would be to add a wireless repeater, or as others have suggested, some better antennas with a higher gain. with the right antenna choice you can also microwave popcorn.