It is explained in this article how to connect two routers on a home network in order to increase the range of the network and support additional wireless devices, or to function as an access point or switch.
Position a Second Router
While the majority of home computer networks are configured with only one router, there are a few instances where installing a second router makes sense. A second router expands the capabilities of a wired network by allowing it to accommodate a greater number of wireless devices. It can be used to expand the wireless range of a home network in order to reach dead spots or to connect a wired device that is located too far away from the original router.
A second router provides a distinct subnetwork within a home, allowing video to be streamed among some devices without degrading the performance of other connections. Making it all work is as simple as following a few simple steps.
Put the new router in close proximity to a Windows PC or another device that will be used for the first setup while setting it up. Routers, both wired and wireless, are most effectively configured from a computer that is linked to the router through an Ethernet network cable. Later on, you may relocate the router to its permanent position if necessary.
Connect a Second Wired Router
It is necessary to connect the second router to the first router through an Ethernet connection if the first router does not have wireless capability. Connect one end of the cable to the uplink port on the new router and the other end to a power supply (sometimes labeled WAN or Internet). Connect the opposite end of the cable to any free port on the first router other than the uplink port on which it is connected.
Connect a Second Wireless Router
Using an Ethernet connection, you may connect a home wireless router in the same manner that you would connect a wired router at your office or home. It is also feasible to connect two home routers through wifi, although in most cases, the second router will only be able to act as a wireless access point rather than a router.
In order to take advantage of the second router’s full routing capabilities, you must configure it in client mode, which is not supported by many home routers. Consult the documentation for the individual router model in order to establish whether it supports client mode and, if so, how to set up client mode.
Wi-Fi Channel Settings for Wireless Home Routers
Using wireless technology, if both the existing and second routers are connected by Wi-Fi, their signals may interfere with one another, resulting in lost connections and unpredictable network slowdowns. Signal interference happens when two or more wireless routers in the same house use the same or overlapping Wi-Fi frequency bands, which are defined by the term “channel.”
However, depending on the model, wireless routers utilize various Wi-Fi channels by default, but you may alter this option in the router interface. Set the first router to channel 1 or 6 and the second router to channel 11 in order to avoid signal interference between two routers in the same residence.
IP Address Configuration of a Second Router
A default IP address is also used by home network routers, which varies based on the manufacturer. A second router’s default IP settings are not needed to be changed unless the router will be used as a network switch or access point, in which case they must be changed.
Use the Second Router as a Switch or Access Point
The techniques outlined above allow an extra router to support a subnetwork within a home network by following the steps outlined above. As a result of this technique, you may keep further control over certain devices, such as setting additional limitations on their internet connectivity.
Another option is to configure a second router as an Ethernet network switch or as an access point if the first is not capable of doing so. This configuration allows devices to connect to the second router in the same way they normally would, but it does not create a subnetwork. A no-subnetwork configuration is suitable for homes that wish to expand basic internet access to additional PCs while still enabling file and printer sharing across those devices. It does, however, need a different setup approach than that described above.
Configure a Second Router Without Subnetwork Support
Connect an Ethernet cable to any open port on the second router other than the uplink port in order to configure the new router as a network switching device. Then connect it to any other port on the first router other than the uplink port to complete the configuration.
In order to set up a new wireless router as an access point, the device must be configured in either bridge or repeater mode in relation to the existing router. To find out what precise settings to use on the second router, look through the instructions for that particular device. finding a research topic
Update the IP setup on your router, whether it’s wired or wireless:
- Check the local IP address of the second router and make any required changes to ensure that it is within the network’s address range as specified on the first router and that it does not conflict with the addresses of other devices on the local network.
- The DHCP address range of the second router should be configured such that it fits inside the address range of the first router. If you want, you may stop DHCP and manually configure the IP addresses of each device connected to the second router so that they all fall inside the range of the first router.