Using two routers on one network

[Mike_Lowery]

Okay, so I work in an sorta small office (6 people and 6 desktops). We have one router (4 ports), and 4 PCs are hardwired to the router. We got one extra router sitting around. Would it be possible to daisychain the routers and hardwire the other 2 computers?

[helen]

Re: Using two routers on one network

It would be much simpler to get an Ethernet switch either a 4 port or a 8 port switch and place that under the router.

At the router level you would be able to connect 3 PC and the switch. From the switch you can connect another 4 to 8 PCs for a total of 7 to 11 PCs.

For the two routers situation. One router would have 3 PCs on it and the cable to the router below it. One the lower router you can connect up to 4 more PCs, that would be a total of 7 PCs.

Managing the setup would be the difference. With the router/switch setup any of the PC's can manage the router. For the router/router setup, the PCs on the lower setup can manage the lower router but not the upper router, while the 3 PCs on the top router can manage the top router, but they can't manage the lower router.

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Using two routers on one network

If you're lucky, your router model will have the ability to disable its firewall/NAT, thereby having it behave like a switch. This would simplify your network as Helen suggested.

Two routers might work ok if you set one to use different address ranges? Like 192.168.1.x for one and 192.168.2.x for the other? I haven't done something like this for a while, so I can't be sure without experimenting.

With two routers you will still have issues with computers connected to the first router (the one closest to your Internet connection) trying to initiate contact with computers on the second router, due to the firewall.

[alohatim]

Re: Using two routers on one network

Like Helen said, it is SO much easier with a network switch.

To make router #2 passive you should only need to turn off DHCP and assign it an IP address in the network's range. Make sure the IP address is not in the range assigned to other computers.

[Mike_Lowery]

Re: Using two routers on one network

Like Helen said, it is SO much easier with a network switch.

To make router #2 passive you should only need to turn off DHCP and assign it an IP address in the network's range. Make sure the IP address is not in the range assigned to other computers.

Thanks!

I forgot to keep y'all updated, but a couple hours after I posted this, I literally found a network switch in the dumpster of my office building. I took it, tried it, and it worked! chea!

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Using two routers on one network

I literally found a network switch in the dumpster of my office building. I took it, tried it, and it worked! chea!

Haha, what perfect timing. Luck of the Lowery.

Thanks for the update, Mike.

[alohatim]

Re: Using two routers on one network

What luck!

I should go dumpster diving at your place! It was probably thrown out by somebody who didn't know what it was. If it works, it works!

[Mike_Lowery]

Re: Using two routers on one network

What luck!

I should go dumpster diving at your place! It was probably thrown out by somebody who didn't know what it was. If it works, it works!

It's kind of a lucky dumpster...my co-worker found a working G3 laptop last year. There's a shirt printing and embroidery business in the building, so the dumpster has a lot of misprinted t-shirts, hoodies, duffels, and backpacks every week (not that I ever took one).

[Mike_Lowery]

Re: Using two routers on one network

I got another question for y'all nerds

Would it be possible to use a router as a repeater?

[buzz1941]

Re: Using two routers on one network

There's a shirt printing and embroidery business in the building, so the dumpster has a lot of misprinted t-shirts, hoodies, duffels, and backpacks every week (not that I ever took one).

Can that stuff be donated to charity?

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Using two routers on one network

I got another question for y'all nerds

Better nerd than dork

Hmm. geek / grog > nerd > dork ?

(yes. it takes a certain kind of insanity to rank insults)

Would it be possble to use a router as a repeater?

Do you mean a wireless repeater?

If you're talking about a wired network, then a switch is a repeater. Do you mean a hub? A hub is like a switch, except it's cheaper and wasteful of bandwidth (I suppose there are special situations where it's preferable).

Can that stuff be donated to charity?

That's a cool idea. I'm sure if the charities picked them up, the company wouldn't mind.

On a side note, I don't think fast food joints donate excess food, due to liability issues? They probably leave it nicely outside.

[Mike_Lowery]

Re: Using two routers on one network

Do you mean a wireless repeater?

If you're talking about a wired network, then a switch is a repeater. Do you mean a hub? A hub is like a switch, except it's cheaper and wasteful of bandwidth (I suppose there are special situations where it's preferable).

Oops, yeah, I mean a wireless repeater. There are a couple corners of my house where the signal's a little weak, and goes in and out at times.

[Random]

Re: Using two routers on one network

So, what are the pros and cons of using a second router as a wireless repeater?

And at the risk of getting rolleyes and sighs, are there dedicated repeaters for N-mode routers?

[MyopicJoe]

Re: Using two routers on one network

I've never set up an Access Point or Repeater, so I had to do a little research. Reliable information is surprisingly hard to find. I finally found a decent site, whose explanations sound reasonable.

Oops, yeah, I mean a wireless repeater.

Most wireless routers can act as Access Points, but they can't act as Repeaters.


An Access Point turns network traffic carried over a cable (wired) into one carrier over the air (wireless), and vice versa.

A Repeater takes in network traffic carrier over the air (wireless), and repeats it over the air (wireless).


An Access Point needs an Ethernet cable connecting it to your main router. Think of it as wiring up an extra antenna.

Repeaters don't need a cable, but the downside is they have half the bandwidth. They need to toggle between receiving and transmitting (perhaps this depends on the specific design of the Repeater?)


Whichever solution you go with, you might want to consider using the same brand as your main wireless router (for compatibility and perhaps performance issues). If you're not happy with what you bought, you can return it (if you buy it locally).

And at the risk of getting rolleyes and sighs, are there dedicated repeaters for N-mode routers?

/rolleyes
/le sigh (that's french)

heh, just kidding


It looks like Repeaters are plain hard to find, much less N ones. NewEgg only carries two. LinkSys only has one, and it's G. I guess they're not popular.

[Random]

Re: Using two routers on one network

Is it possible to use a combination of a wireless router in one side of a house, connect an ethernet cable to a powerline ethernet adapter ("A"), plug in the second ethernet powerline adapter ("B") on the other side of the house, and then hook it up to an access point or switch from there?