Adding a second wireless router to a network

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Adding a second wireless router to a network - please help

Satch

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#137994 16-Dec-2013 12:36

Hi,

I am trying to add a second wireless router to my network to help boost the coverage of my wifi to the bottle level of my house (the Orcon Genius router I have is on the top 3rd floor).

The issue I am experiencing is that wifi on the second router is up and down all the time therefore a stable connection is impossible. It is cabled in via ethernet from the Orcon on the third floor. I also have an Xbox 360 in the same place as the second router (attached via cable) which acts as a media center extender, and I have zero problems with this connection so the wired connection from upstairs is solid.

The issue must be pointing to a wrong setting on the second router?

The second router I am using is a Netgear DGND3700, and I have set it up following the instructions at this link: http://www.labnol.org/software/add-router-to-wireless-network/

The only thing I couldn't do was the part in step 5 which said "go to Setup – > Advanced routing and change the current mode from Gateway to Router", as I could not find this setting on the Netgear. Maybe this is the reason the wifi on it is flaky? I just don't know enough to determine this.

Could there be anything obvious I've missed? Does this sound like a common issue?

Cheers.

sonyxperiageek

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#953031 16-Dec-2013 12:56

The Netgear router you mentioned is a Modem/Router 2-in-1, and I'm pretty sure step 5 is trying to tell you to change the modem/router to only use the router function. Maybe someone else here can confirm how to do that on this specific device?

Sony

charsleysa

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#953272 16-Dec-2013 19:13

You got the wrong gear for what you're trying to do. You need a device that can become an access point but this device doesn't seem capable. You can try setting it as if your setting up a cable connection using the WAN Ethernet port but you'll have a double NAT which is not good for gaming or applications that dont like it.

You're other option is WDS which is repeating your wireless signal but it has 2 downsides:
1) your device must be in range of your primary wireless signal
2) your maximum speed will always be half the theoretical maximum speed of your primary wireless or the devices wireless, whichever is slower.

Regards
Stefan Andres Charsley

sbiddle

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#953343 16-Dec-2013 21:21

You shouldn't really be using a router, you should just be using an access point.

You should ensure that you're using different wireless channels on each device, remembering that 1,6 and 11 are the only 3 channels that should be used.

Satch

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#953732 17-Dec-2013 13:56

Hi charsleysa,

Do you know for a fact that my model of modem/router cannot be used as an access point? I've been down the wifi repeater route already and it isn't sufficient.

Hi sbiddle,

Understand the access point requirement now, thanks. The instructions I linked to said to use the same SSID name, encryption type and key, and same channel for seamless transition. Could it simply be that because I have used the exact same channel as my Orcon Genius?

charsleysa

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#953736 17-Dec-2013 14:02

Satch: Hi charsleysa,

Do you know for a fact that my model of modem/router cannot be used as an access point? I've been down the wifi repeater route already and it isn't sufficient.

Hi sbiddle,

Understand the access point requirement now, thanks. The instructions I linked to said to use the same SSID name, encryption type and key, and same channel for seamless transition. Could it simply be that because I have used the exact same channel as my Orcon Genius?

I don't know for a fact, but that is the logical conclusion since Netgear usually sell products advertised with Access Point capability. Also I took a read through the manual and there was no mention of it anywhere.
I am 99.9% certain that your device does not support Access Point mode at its stock state.

Regards
Stefan Andres Charsley

Satch

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#953742 17-Dec-2013 14:09

Thanks again charsleysa. I also have a Linksys modem/router kicking around so will check that to see if it has an AP option.

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sbiddle

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#953745 17-Dec-2013 14:13

That guide was written for one specific model of hardware.

If you want to use a standard router just disable DHCP and give it a LAN IP on the same subnet you're primary router is on.

You should always avoid using the same WiFi channel, but need to use the same encryption type and key if you want roaming between the two.

RunningMan

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#953747 17-Dec-2013 14:18

Satch: [snip] The instructions I linked to said to use the same SSID name, encryption type and key, and same channel for seamless transition. Could it simply be that because I have used the exact same channel as my Orcon Genius?

You should use different, non-overlapping channels.

raytaylor

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#954540 18-Dec-2013 22:01

Belkin's are the easiest - they have a "use as access point" option in the web gui that disables everything and the WAN port.

Also the D-Link models from a couple of years ago had a router/AP switch on the back - they might still do.

I forget how complete it is, but i am working on a guide for extending wifi over the next few weeks. Every time i see one of these posts I guess I'll be motivated to add some more to it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9U9Djx0lcSIbE1JMnBFcGhpTzg/edit?usp=sharing

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sonyxperiageek

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#954566 18-Dec-2013 23:29

raytaylor: Belkin's are the easiest - they have a "use as access point" option in the web gui that disables everything and the WAN port.

Also the D-Link models from a couple of years ago had a router/AP switch on the back - they might still do.

I forget how complete it is, but i am working on a guide for extending wifi over the next few weeks. Every time i see one of these posts I guess I'll be motivated to add some more to it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9U9Djx0lcSIbE1JMnBFcGhpTzg/edit?usp=sharing

This could become a great ebook one day when it's finished! :)

Sony

Satch

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#954795 19-Dec-2013 13:13

I've replaced the Netgear with a Linksys wireless router and so far everything seems to be ok. Will let you know progress in the next week or so.