Change router to switch question

[Psittac]

I am just getting my first taste of setting up a network.  I have been looking up each issue when I find it but this time I don't know what to look for.  First does anyone know of good guides out there? I prefer video's but can do text if needed.

 

But my current issue, I have a cable modem/router doing all of my routing right now.  I have pulled out an old router and I'm attempting to turn it into a switch.  I have dhcp turned off and wifi turned off.  The problem I have is setting up DNS and default gateway.  When I set the DNS server to the cable default IP I don't get any DNS.  Then how do I get rid of the router showing it's default IP as the default gateway rather than the cable modem as the default gateway?

 

Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I'm trying to figure it out and asking the question seams to be the hardest part ><

[Electronics Wizardy]

dont use the wan port on the second router./ or better yet buy a switch there cheap.

[Psittac]

12 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

dont use the wan port on the second router./ or better yet buy a switch there cheap.

yeah, I plan on getting equipment in the future but right now I'm just working with what I have and it's a learning process.

 

On that note I went ahead and used the techquickie lynda thing for a free trial and it's very thorough. I plan on continuing the trial.

 

I want to have an idea of what I'm doing before buying equipment.

[Emmien]

Your router may support a customised firmware called DD-WRT. It allows you to do this easily.