Wireless Router Question...

[Jem]

Hi all

So, I have a wireless modem router setup at home. This works fine although the signal is very weak in some parts of our home.

I have 'inherited' another wireless modem router and wondered whether or not this could be setup as an access point to increase the range of the first router (if that makes sense).

The main router is a Belkin router and the 'inherited' one is a Netgear. I am using wireless B/G.

I don't want any wires running between the routers and hope to acheive this wirelessly.

Cheers

Jem

[Stuka]

You might be able to link the routers using a "bridge" connection between the two. I don't have the details, but it might be worth looking in to...

[allthatwhichis]

I will have to think about this; I am sure there is a way, but I would actually run one wire between the two and use them as two separate wireless routers at different ends of your house to expand the wireless footprint. The way you are talking about basically makes one router an access point for the other router meaning the access point is "joining" the "router's" network, kinda like a wireless card does. As I said this should be possible but it will probably take some router settings tweaking that may be a bit speciallized and could be firmware specific. If I think of anything I will reply again but the easiest way will be to run one cable the length of your house and connect them at separate ends and then run the routers at two different channel, I do the two I have at 1 and 11, and then have your device able to switch on the fly. Which can cause its own hassles...

[300EVIL]

Check your Netgear routers model number on this site... http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php

If they support it, you can run DD-WRT firmware which allows you to hack your router to do almost anything! Specifically use it as a wireless repeater. I have it on all my routers, works great!

[Doc]

I've tried this on a number of occasions, but it is a *massive* pain in the arse to get it working and keep it working.

Best to a/ add a seperate antenna b/ purchase a Rangemax or similar high power router.

Good luck, Ian

[danielbriggs]

Jem,
what you need to do is use WDS (Wireless Distribution System) on both routers. Now should both routers be capable of WDS you would think that's great and things will work. However as there is no actual standard for WDS yet interoperability between manufactures is poor and sporadic at best. But it can be done (I have set this up half a dozen times myself for customers). As already mentioned a cable would be best to link the two, but this isn't always practical.
Give it a go, if you get stuck drop me a PM.

Dan

[cruch]

Check your Netgear routers model number on this site... http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php

If they support it, you can run DD-WRT firmware which allows you to hack your router to do almost anything! Specifically use it as a wireless repeater. I have it on all my routers, works great!

ddwrt really is awsome! I had problems at home. Bad signal. Just installed the ddwrt and I boosted the router signal level from 25mw and up to 100mw

[Jem]

O.K., so neither of my routers are supported by this dd-wrt thingy (whatever it is/does )

I reckon I *may* be able to run a CAT5 patch cable between the two routers and i'll look into the possibilities of this tomorrow.

If I can get a wire between the two what do I do then?, will it just work (he says hopefully )

Cheers

Jem

[danielbriggs]

Try WDS first

If not, leave your main router as it is.
Then connect to that other router and disable the DHCP server part (2 DHCP servers on one net usually breaks things)
you basically are setting up the 2nd unit as a wireless access point only. Then just run a cable through. Drop me a pm if you need to get hold of any length.
Hope that helps,
Dan

[allthatwhichis]

You will also have to set your wireless device to connect to both "networks" or SSIDs. The only issue you may run into is when you are closer to the "second" network", you may have to tell you device to "hop" on that network.