How to chain multiple Routers together?

[Prattaratt]

I have a network of VoIP phones that has outgrown its 4 port router; We have numerous spare routers and I tried to chain to the main router; no luck. Is there a trick to the configuration or is this not supposed to be done? I have tried to change the IP address on the secondary router and also tried a switch. The phones on the primary router all work normally, but won't work on the secondary link.

The simplest solution is the best!

 

[jimbopalmer]

The purpose of a common NAT router is to seperate networks, often your home 'trusted' network from the 'untrusted' internet. So you would only use NAT routers to seperate networks. ('trusted' wired network from 'untrusted' wireless network is another example)

In your example, we have no desire to seperate the IP phones from each other. Additional routers are unlikely to be what you want. Swiches should be what you want, perhaps with a crossover cable between the switch and the router.

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[Prattaratt]

Well, that would be nice except that when I connect the phones up to the switch I bought, (which is connected to router) they won't associate or connect. The set up diagram for the phone shows that any hubs or switches are supposed to be connected "after" the phone, which is supposed to be connected directly to the router. Any suggestions?

The simplest solution is the best!

 

[jimbopalmer]

If the blinky lights between the router and the switch don't light and blink, you may need a crossover cable between them. Some devices auto cross, some switches have uplink ports, sometimes you have to use the crossover cable.

What model Router and Switch?



I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[jimbopalmer]

Another thought, are the phones POWERED via ethernet? If so, you need a POE switch to give them power.

I tried to remain child-like, all I acheived was childish.

 

[Prattaratt]

The activity lights are lit and blinking on the switch, and one phone can actually work, however all the rest eventually will de-affiliate and won't dial out, recieve calls or re-affiliate.
I am trying a Linksys Switch made by cisco, A Netgear Router and a Netgear Router/DSL Modem in line. The Router and modem/router work fine, but when I add the third, a D-link router, the third branch fails, as it does with the Linksys switch. I tried pulling the second router out and inserting the the switch in its place, same prob.
I've asked my boss for a $100 for an 8 port router, but am unlikely to get it due to budget constraints.

The simplest solution is the best!

 

[Prattaratt]

I finally got it to work. Reset the third router and reconfigured it. reconnected and it came right up


The simplest solution is the best!