Using 2 routers

I have been reading up all kinds of information on setting up a wireless router to be used as an access point. This is my situation:

I have my router dlink dir-655 set up recieving the Internet from my cable modem. My home desktop is connected via Ethernet to the router. 3 other laptops connect wirelessly to the router. This is all on the main floor. Downstairs the connection is decent but can be slow. I would like to set up another router dir-655 in the basement so I get better signal down there. I also have a PS3 and a samsung LCD. Both I would like to connect via Ethernet. So my set up would be like this:

cable modem-->router 1 (main floor)-->router 2 (basement)

the only question I had is....will I still be able to connect to router 2 wirelessly? Like if I'm downstairs and have my laptop, can I connect to router 2 wirelessly or will I only be able to connect with an Ethernet line to that router 2

 

Yes in theory you should be able to connect to Router 2 (Access Point) wirelessly but that Access Point should be using/pointing to Router 1 (Main Router) as the Default Gateway. So it will get all it's routing info. from Router 1.

I used dd-wrt (Repeater Bridge Mode) to set this up at my place as my Linksys Routers didn't support the Access Point feature out-the-box.

 

are you running a wire to the second router? i have a second d-link running off of my 655. i just plugged it into the -1- port on the second and turned off dhcp.

im using mine as a wired switch but this might work for you as a wireless AP as well.

ill try it when i get home and let you know if you like.

 

I would be running an ethernet line from router 1 down into the basement to router 2 (making it so router 1 is the default gateway, dhcp disabled on router 2). I would want it so i can hook up my lcd tv and my ps3 with an ethernet but still use wireless in the basement for laptops, ipods, etc.

 

Right you should be fine. With my setup using dd-wrt on my Linksys Routers I didn't need any physical cable between R1 and R2. The AP and Main Router communicated wirelessly. (R. Bridge or WDS Linked Modes)

But enough of me shoving dd-wrt down your throat. Yes OP, you should accomplish what you want to do with what you have and what you have stated.

 

If your running a wire to the 2nd router, you only need to turn off DHCP in R2. Then connect the wire from R1 to LAN port on R2. R1 will handle all of the DHCP functions on wire and wireless ports. Stay away from bridge unless your connecting via wirelessly.

 

I do like the idea of the dd-wrt makaveli72. Would that still work with a dlink router tho, I was reading up on WDS a few days ago but wasn't sure if it would work with dlink

 

Open firmware works on very few dlink routers but you can look at their website for compatable routers

http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/support/router-database

the dir-655 is not compatable but if you can find a compatable router you can't beat ddwrt's features.

 

Technically, an access point IS a bridge. Router 1 needs to know that there are other IPs outside of the ones attached to it.

I'm not quite sure that you are talking about when you say stay away from bridge.

All I know there is router mode and bridge mode. Didn't know there was a third mode.

 

Well if your Router supports it then WDS would be the way to go IMO. I ended up switching to that from R. Bridge as I experienced intermittent connection drops....ever since I switched to WDS things have been smooth sailing.

If your Router doesn't support it then you can either go out and get 2 dd-wrt supported Routers (as both need to support WDS for this to work) and flash their firmware to get that feature OR you can just use the method you and others have described; running the cable would work fine...and at the end of the day that would be more stable and cheaper. It's up to you....

But yes, WDS is seamless and has been working very good for me. I am not using it at this present time but when I did I would have my Main Router outside in the living room, and my WDS AP in my bedroom talking to the Main Router outside wirelessly. And I could connect to the AP in my bedroom wirelessly via netbook and PS3 if I chose too....but I hardwired the connection between PS3 and AP. Surf the net as normal, play games online going through the AP etc etc.

 

Was gonna ask same question.
I got Dlink dir 615
100m from it I got edimax BR-6424NL

When I just plug the cord into my laptop everything is fine, but when I plug it into edimax first I get 2 problems
1) Speeds are much slower.
2) No home network (I got Windows 7). Can't see other computers that are connected to Dlink.

I can live with second problem but not the first.

I tried disabling DHCP, some other combinations, but its all the same. Any ideas?

 

what port are you plugging the ethernet cable into the second router?

 

I plug it into WAN

 

plug it into any of 1-4 and disable dhcp.

 

Wow, it's working. Thanks.

 

welcome. enjoy.

im using this same method to daisy-chain 2 routers off of my 655.

 

Well, for some reason it stopped working. Even when reset. It never sees the dlink

 

hard reset? did you go back and disable dhcp?

plug the cable into a lappy and make sure it can pull an IP from the main router?

 

yes.
It says Unknown network or smth
I mean with 2nd router. Direct to laptop is working fine

 

well if you disabled dhcp on the second router and a laptop works on the line you've ran to the second router i'd say do a hard reset that puts it back to default then start over.

line from first router into port 1 , disable DHCP. see waht happens. if it still doesn't work the router sounds bad.

 

No, I know. I did that. I know what a reset is =)

 

KonstantinDK,
Have you configured/changed the IP in the Edimax after resetting?
'cause most wireless routers have the same default IP of 192.168.1.1. By any chance it uses the same one as your D-Link, which it shouldn't.

I'm also using 2 wireless router: Linksys WRT320N (main) and WRT310N. What I did was:
1. disabled the DHCP Server function in WRT310N so that WRT320N will be the one in charge for giving IPs,
2. disabled the NAT function in WRT310N since it will not be the one connected to the modem,
3. changed the WRT310N's IP from default 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.2 since it was the same one as WRT320N's and it will be out of the IP Address Range of WRT320N's DHCP Server function,
3. connected the WRT310N to WRT320N, both using LAN port.