Large home network with TWO Routers ??

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metalheart

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I live in a double-storeyed house out of which one floor is a basement. The problem is that the in the basement , I don't get any signal from the router which is kept upstairs. I have a PC and 4 laptops (yeah that's a lot of people in my family :S ) .

Is it possible to create a home network using two routers for a larger range ?? Or is there any other alternative to increase the range of the network ?
 
Yep, it can be done. You could attach two routers together to extend your range.

1- Connect the 2nd router in LAN port of the first router. Use a cross-over cable.

2- DHCP range of 1st router = 192.168.1.x to say 192.168.1.10

3- DHCP range of 2nd router = 192.168.1.12 to say 192.168.1.20

4- IP of 2nd router = 192.168.1.11 (so that it doesn't fall in same DHCP address space as assigned by 1st router)

5- Put both routers on separate channels.. 1,6 or 11 (If Router1 is channel 1... give Router2 channel 6 or 11.. that way...)

Rest configure second router as you would configure your primary router...

PS: That is how it should be done, logically speaking.. revert back if you have any query...

OR just buy wireless network extender/access point
 
Rather.. keep your ADSL modem as 192.168.1.x, first router as 192.168.2.x and third as 192.168.3.x

As RYB said, use a cross over cable. Gateway for Router1 will be modem IP (i.e. 192.168.1.1) and Gateway for Router2 will be Router1 IP (i.e. 192.168.2.1)

Enable DHCP on both and your set!
 
If possible, try and run a CAT5E/CAT6 cable between both the floors (you can use the conduit typically provided for telephone cables so as to reduce and electrical interference) and then connect routers using that.

As far as a crossover cable is concerned, it may not be required as most routers manufactured recently ( last 2-3 years) are capable of auto sensing the cable type and configure the connection accordingly. Just use a straight through cable.
 
I had same sort of issue with one of my cousin who has a triple storied bunglow apart from the basement. However, in all there are around 9-10 pc/laptops in whole bunglow, as they are big joint family who resides in the bunglow.

I setted up two buffalo wi-fi routers in whole house where in 1st router was installed on ground floor to cater basement-ground-first floor efficiently and another router is installed on second floor to cater first-second-third floors efficiently. The specific router can work as router as well as booster, so in all it was like catching up the wi-fi signals from ground floor router and boosting it to another floors via second router. It was case of around a year or so back, you might need to check out if other buffalo models too support the same feature.

I'll fork out the model no. if you require !!
 
just avoid all the points highlighted by other fellow members here atm..

... Just keep ur wireless router downstairs and you should get the wireless signals through out the house.

...The reason is any wireless router you use... where ever you keep the router it spreads/broadcasts the wireless network horizontally and goes in upward direction.. in which the area below the router is kept is not covered or the network is not broadcasted there...

You can put ur existing router downstairs and check with teh connectivity upstairs.. should work fine.. If the signal is low or so then try changing the wireless channel nos. of th router thru which ur wireless router is broadcastin the network... by default must be on Auto Chanel scan/select.. u can change it to 1/6or 9. Also when you do this try to keep your chordlss fone away from the router (if you have any) as its signals also affects your wireless network.

... This should solve the prob and if it doesnt then try to buy a Range Extender or a Repeater or something... never buy another router and do all the crap mentioned above like change the IP and use the LAN ports and all (its all BS ... sorry other fellow members :P)

... You can also consider Buffalo AirStation WHR-G125 as it has Repeater mode in it :)...which can save ur money from buying a Repeater or so.
 
What you need is not 2 routers but a router and an access point. In fact you can add as many access points as you want depending on the signal coverage you want. You will however need to run ethernet cables to each access point. If that is a problem then you can choose the route i have taken and installed range extenders (like the F5D7132 from belkin) which dont need any wiring except for power. You should however check compatibility of the range extender with your router/access point. The belkin one i have mentioned works well with Linksys and Dlink as per my experience. Havent tried with other brands. Linksys range extenders are finicky and usually want a linksys router/access point to connect to.

cheers.
 
b00gieMan said:
... Just keep ur wireless router downstairs and you should get the wireless signals through out the house.
....
... You can also consider Buffalo AirStation WHR-G125 as it has Repeater mode in it :)...which can save ur money from buying a Repeater or so.
Click to expand...

I would've done that LONG time back :hap5:, had it been possible. Unfortunately, my building is quite old and doesn't have the required internal wiring to facilitate the DSL line connection downstairs.!
About the Buffalo AirStation.. How does it exactly work (considering I will have to leave my router at it's current location on the ground floor). How exactly do I set it up?? :ashamed:
 
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