Most home computer networks use a single router. However, in some cases it is necessary to install an additional device. This is required, for example, when the wireless network does not cover the entire room or you need to create a separate subnet for streaming video. It only takes a few steps to connect two routers.
Instructions
Step 1
Connect the additional router to the existing one on the network using an Ethernet cable. To do this, connect one end of the cable to the WAN or Internet connector of the new device, and the other to any free port on the first router. If both devices support a wireless network, you can use it to establish communication between them, but in this case, the second router will only be used as an access point.
Step 2
If both routers are wireless, their Wi-Fi signals can interfere with each other's work, and there will be interference and connection drops. This is because different routers operate on different channels. To avoid this problem, set channel 1 or 6 as working for the first device and channel 11 for the second.
Step 3
If the connected router is not intended to be used as an additional access point or network switch, its IP address settings usually do not require any changes. In this case, this device simply allows you to establish additional control in the network, for example, it becomes possible to impose restrictions on Internet access from individual devices.
Step 4
If the new device is needed as a switch, connect the Ethernet cable to any ports of these devices, except the uplink ports. In addition, the IP configurations on both devices will need to be updated. Check the local address of the second (new) router, make sure it is within the address range of the existing network. Make sure that this address does not conflict with the addresses of other devices on the network. Configure the DHCP address range of the second router. This range must be within the range of the first router.
Step 5
To use your new router as an additional access point, configure it as a repeater or bridge. Please refer to its documentation for exact parameters.
