Setting up second router.

BlackWorm · August 28, 2017

Hey, I need some help to set up a second router at my house. Let me just start with saying why;

A few month ago I switched rooms, this new room is allot farther away from the main router downstairs, by this I have a bad Wi-Fi connection when I use my laptop or smartphone. My phone switched to mobile data more often than I want (with I have to pay for, so that sucks). I got my main desktop pc inside my room, with is hooked up with a cable coming straight from the main router.

I bought myself a cheap router (Linksys E900), they told me in the store it would work just fine. After messing with it and trying it by myself I did not succeed. I was able to put on the router on bridge mode but it was not sending out Wi-Fi signal, and my internet speed on my main desktop went from 175-185/mbs download to under 80/mbs. I used this to access this.
https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=143751

Our main router is from Telenet (Belgium), model: CBN, CH6643E. The second router I want to set up is Linksys E900. Can anyone help me set this up correct so I got my extra Wi-Fi transmitter and less internet speed lost at my main computer?

Thanks,
Arno.

Oshino Shinobu · August 28, 2017

You should return it and buy an access point. As you're wanting it just to provide a wireless signal, there's no point in buying a whole router just for the access point component of it.

If you're using a wireless bridge mode, it won't work how you want it to. It will connect to a wireless signal and then allow you to plug things into it, acting as a bridge between two sections of a network.

EDIT: If you're wanting to "boost" your existing WiFi signal rather than connecting the access point/second router with a cable, then you'd want a repeater or enable repeater mode. I'd advise against it though, they do extend the range but cut bandwidth significantly.

Donut417 · August 29, 2017

4 hours ago, BlackWorm said:

Hey, I need some help to set up a second router at my house. Let me just start with saying why;

A few month ago I switched rooms, this new room is allot farther away from the main router downstairs, by this I have a bad Wi-Fi connection when I use my laptop or smartphone. My phone switched to mobile data more often than I want (with I have to pay for, so that sucks). I got my main desktop pc inside my room, with is hooked up with a cable coming straight from the main router.

I bought myself a cheap router (Linksys E900), they told me in the store it would work just fine. After messing with it and trying it by myself I did not succeed. I was able to put on the router on bridge mode but it was not sending out Wi-Fi signal, and my internet speed on my main desktop went from 175-185/mbs download to under 80/mbs. I used this to access this.
https://www.linksys.com/us/support-article?articleNum=143751

Our main router is from Telenet (Belgium), model: CBN, CH6643E. The second router I want to set up is Linksys E900. Can anyone help me set this up correct so I got my extra Wi-Fi transmitter and less internet speed lost at my main computer?

Thanks,
Arno.

Here is what I would do. First you need to check out where the DHCP server starts on the first router. For example it might start at 192.168.1.100. That means any thing below 100 would be safe to use. Next you will need to change the IP address of the second router to one that is between the first router address and where the DHCP server starts. Example 192.168.1.2. Next on the second router you will need to disable the fire wall and DHCP server. Then you can set up the SSID and password for the WiFI on the second router. When all that is said and done, you need to run a cable from the first routers LAN port to a LAN port on the second router. Make sure your using the LAN port on the second router and not WAN. Also, make sure you set different wireless channels compared to your ISP router, or else you will get interference.

Effectively that second router becomes a switch with an AP. I had to use this setup when we had Comcast digital voice as buying a modem at the time was a pain in the ass. I know the config works. One thing, Roaming between your ISP provided router and the second router will probably not work, but it should extend wireless coverage.

Donut417 · August 29, 2017

6 hours ago, sambarrett23072 said:

There seems to be some confusion on this forum as to what a router is. A home router is essentially 3 or 4 devices in one.

A modem (either cable or dsl)

A router (a layer 3 device for use at the edge of a lan)

A Switch (a layer 2 device for use inside a wan)

And a wirless acess pount

It sounds like you need a wirless access point however a home router in bridge mode will probably server the same purpose.

Would love to see a full video on this.

Not all routers have modems in them. Mine dont. I use a separate Cable modem.