Wired + Wireless Router Configuration

[FrankV]

In relation to the below question (but different) is there any reason I can't (or shouldn't) do cable modem -> wired switch router -> { wireless router -> {wireless devices}, gaming computer } ? Where { ... } indicates 2..n devices?

 

Put another way, can I put a wired router connected to two devices, one being a wireless router (Orbi) and the second being a computer?

 

Edited: Changed from wired router to wired switch per suggestion.

Edited March 23, 2020 by FrankV
Changed from wired router to wired switch per suggestion.

[beersykins]

Double NAT is usually not advised, unless you only use the LAN ports of your second router.  Then it's not performing routing functions but is a switch with an access point.

[FrankV]

Just now, beersykins said:

Double NAT is usually not advised, unless you only use the LAN ports of your second router.  Then it's not performing routing functions but is a switch with an access point.

The second router - the wireless one, in my case - doesn't have anything plugged in to it. It'd just be the wireless access point. 

 

Regardless, if a switch would be better in place of the (proposed) "wired router", that should be cheaper....

 

Does a switch not do NAT whereas a router does do NAT? (NAT = network address translation, to be clear?)

[beersykins]

2 minutes ago, FrankV said:

Does a switch not do NAT whereas a router does do NAT? (NAT = network address translation, to be clear?)

Correct.  If you connected the second router via the WAN port then your wireless clients will be behind a NAT layer towards router 1.  If you use the LAN interface then everyone will be on the same broadcast domain/network.

 

If you're rolling the router approach you probably want to give it a static LAN address different than the first one and disable DHCP just on the second router.

[FrankV]

18 minutes ago, beersykins said:

Correct.  If you connected the second router via the WAN port then your wireless clients will be behind a NAT layer towards router 1.  If you use the LAN interface then everyone will be on the same broadcast domain/network.

 

If you're rolling the router approach you probably want to give it a static LAN address different than the first one and disable DHCP just on the second router.

Thanks. But to clarify, this is not at all a concern if I use a switch? It becomes much more straightforward? 

[Kilrah]

Many wireless routers can be switched to Access Point only mode, do that.

You want only one router, and it usually has to be just behind your modem unless you have a special ISP plan.

[FrankV]

17 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

Many wireless routers can be switched to Access Point only mode, do that.

You want only one router, and it usually has to be just behind your modem unless you have a special ISP plan.

 

I'm interested in elaboration to learn more but that said, I've confirmed my Orbi system (current wireless router running the house) has access point mode (as you would expect). So, can I just take an older wireless router and use that (disabling the wireless radio in that one?) Or is it better to get a modern (new) one? 

 

[Kilrah]

Yes that's fine as long as it's good enough to deal with your home's traffic.