daisy chain or multiple wireless routers?

Question

is it possible to connect two or more wireless routers on the same network? I have two and wish to increase the number of Ethernet ports available.

Answer 1

Well it is usually better to use Access Points rather than routers since another router will by default create another network. This can be done if you understand routing and don't mind a seperate network or disable the routing on the second one. Some routers firmware allows you to set them up in access point mode only.

Answer 2

It sounds like you're not connecting properly to the wireless network. A wired connection works because the router is connected to the internet and the wire is a, more or less, guaranteed connection to the router. The wireless connection isn't able to lease an address from the router either because the router isn't serving addresses to wireless clients or because the authentication between your laptop and the router failed. This should be pretty simple for you to fix, provided you know the correct network key (WEP or WPA/PSK) for your wireless network. You can use your wired connection to find these out or you can look on the label on the router if you're sure they've not been changed from the factory settings. First disconnect the wire and then delete the wireless connection settings which are already set up. We'll set them up again dynamically - Your model of router has an 'N Connect' or WPS button on it which you'll need to press just after you connect to the wireless network for the first time. Find your wireless network by browsing for it under the tray icon (near the clock on XP / Vista) and double click it - give it the security passphrase it asks for and press the N Connect button on your router while your laptop tries to connect. Alternatively follow the instructions in the link below if you have the CD which shipped with your router.

Answer 3

Yes you can by using the UPLINK port from one router to the WLAN port on the next. If you don't want to mess with the extra router settings you can use a switch connected the same way. I don't recommend using a HUB.