Can I use a 2nd wireless router instead of an access point? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

rundmv · 02-17-2005, 02:33 PM

I have a wireless router setup, connected to a cable modem and 2 PCs. I'd like to connect my PS2 and XBox to the internet, without running wires to the router. Access points are twice the price of wireless routers. Couldn't I connect the PS2 and XBox to a 2nd (wireless) router, and configure the 2nd router to connect to the 1st one for internet access?

bendsley · 02-17-2005, 02:41 PM

Some wireless router mfg's such as linksys will allow you to set the router into "repeater" mode. Over long distances its not going to work too well, but short distances through a house would work fine. To set the router into repeater mode, read the info. on the mfg's website to see what's available, how to do it and whether or not you might need a firmware upgrade.

One other way is to setup a second wireless router on a different subnet and have it gatewayed to your primary subnet. Make sure in doing this though, you set your primary subnet channel to 1 and your secondary subnet channel to 11. This way, your freq's aren't near each other and you should get maximum through put.

Ex. cable/dsl <--> (global IP, dhcp'd from ISP, gateway pulled from dhcp)<external> wireless router 1 <internal> (channel 1)(192.168.1.1) <--> <internal> (192.168.2.1, gateway is 192.168.1.1) wireless router 2 (channel 11)

Setup like that would work fine.

rundmv · 02-17-2005, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendsley

Make sure in doing this though, you set your primary subnet channel to 1 and your secondary subnet channel to 11.

Wouldn't setting the channels different make it so that the 2 routers wouldn't communicate? The plan is not to have them wired together.

Lebell · 02-17-2005, 02:58 PM

If I understand what you are saying, you will need a bridge between the two routers.

At least, when I wanted two routers (each connected to several devices) to communicate, that's what I had to do: hook one up to a bridge which then "connected" the two routers.

Now, linksys has a router/bridge that does both functions.

FloydianOne · 02-17-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lebell

If I understand what you are saying, you will need a bridge between the two routers.

At least, when I wanted two routers (each connected to several devices) to communicate, that's what I had to do: hook one up to a bridge which then "connected" the two routers.

Now, linksys has a router/bridge that does both functions.

I think that is only for wired routers, I guess somehow wireless routers get around that. Also you know you dont have to have a bridge... you can use a crossover cable to get the same effect.

rundmv · 02-17-2005, 09:23 PM

Thanks for the info. Now I feel better about buying the router. It seemed like I should be able to do this. If I can't get it working, once I actually buy it, I might be posting again for some help.

bendsley · 02-18-2005, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rundmv

Wouldn't setting the channels different make it so that the 2 routers wouldn't communicate? The plan is not to have them wired together.

As far as I know, no. He would associate to router 2 for the ranged computers and router 1 for the closer ones.

02-17-2005, 02:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
rundmv Insane	Can I use a 2nd wireless router instead of an access point? I have a wireless router setup, connected to a cable modem and 2 PCs. I'd like to connect my PS2 and XBox to the internet, without running wires to the router. Access points are twice the price of wireless routers. Couldn't I connect the PS2 and XBox to a 2nd (wireless) router, and configure the 2nd router to connect to the 1st one for internet access?

02-17-2005, 02:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
bendsley Professional Loafer Location: texas	Some wireless router mfg's such as linksys will allow you to set the router into "repeater" mode. Over long distances its not going to work too well, but short distances through a house would work fine. To set the router into repeater mode, read the info. on the mfg's website to see what's available, how to do it and whether or not you might need a firmware upgrade. One other way is to setup a second wireless router on a different subnet and have it gatewayed to your primary subnet. Make sure in doing this though, you set your primary subnet channel to 1 and your secondary subnet channel to 11. This way, your freq's aren't near each other and you should get maximum through put. Ex. cable/dsl <--> (global IP, dhcp'd from ISP, gateway pulled from dhcp)<external> wireless router 1 <internal> (channel 1)(192.168.1.1) <--> <internal> (192.168.2.1, gateway is 192.168.1.1) wireless router 2 (channel 11) Setup like that would work fine. __________________ "You hear the one about the fella who died, went to the pearly gates? St. Peter let him in. Sees a guy in a suit making a closing argument. Says, "Who's that?" St. Peter says, "Oh, that's God. Thinks he's Denny Crane."

02-17-2005, 02:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lebell Cracking the Whip Location: Sexymama's arms...	If I understand what you are saying, you will need a bridge between the two routers. At least, when I wanted two routers (each connected to several devices) to communicate, that's what I had to do: hook one up to a bridge which then "connected" the two routers. Now, linksys has a router/bridge that does both functions. __________________ "Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis The ONLY sponsors we have are YOU! Please Donate!

02-17-2005, 09:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
rundmv Insane	Thanks for the info. Now I feel better about buying the router. It seemed like I should be able to do this. If I can't get it working, once I actually buy it, I might be posting again for some help.