Optional Router For Home Network

[nightcast]

I have a Westell Model 327w and verizon is my DSL ISP. Everything working out great for internet connection. The only thing I am complaint about this router is wireless access point is not that strong. Signal is weak when I take my wireless laptop outside my apartment. So, I thought it would be a great help if I go out to compusa and buy a better router. End up I bought Linksys with wireless-n model wrt300n v1 which costed me a big buck. The problem is when I connect Linksys router to my Westell router (ethernet port -> interenet port) I cannot access the internet from Linksys router even with ethernet cable connected to desktop. Not even a wireless access point works. The network icon status said is connected. I wonder if anyone have ever connect 2 routers together. Did I break the rules to do this way. Also, what is the best way for me to get around this problem. Thank you in advance.

Cast

 

[jimbopalmer]

Well, weird thing can happen with routers back to back, imagine your postal carrier's problem if you mail a letter to your own address.

To use the new router as a Wireless Access Point: 1) turn off the DHCP server in the new router; 2) Address the new router in the same subnet range as the old router, but outside of it's DHCP range; 3) and use the LAN ports to connect the routers, leave the WAN port on the new router empty.

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

 

[stduc]

Sorry to have to say this but the advice above is wrong.

Routers must be on different networks. Router connected to router connected to internet must have that IP as default gateway - so....... for example, assuming you are leaving the Westell router connected to your ISP.

Westell IP 192.168.0.1 DHCP 192.168.0.2-254

Linksys IP 192.168.100.1 DHCP 192.168.100.2-254 default gateway 192.168.0.1

Then if you connect wirelessly to the linksys it should assign an IP address of - say 192.168.100.2 default gateway of 192.168.100.1 and a packet for the internet should be passed to 192.168.0.1 that in turn should be passed to your ISP.

I hope that the above is clear?

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[picohat]

You can actually configure your Linksys router as access point only and connect it to other wireless router. I tested before with 802.11b/g routers and it worked. Have a look on this link...

Quick Guide to Configure Wireless Router as Access Point

Hope helps..

 

[nightcast]

Thank you for a quick responses. I am stuck after I reconfigured my Linksys router and this error message
"IP address and gateway is not at same subnet mask" pop up. I am sure somethign is not configure right but not sure where to look for a problem.
Here is my example, in Linksys Router the basic setup contains these options.

Internet Conection: (Static, PPP0E, PPTP, L2TP, Telstra Cable)
I selected static option which has these choices.
Internet IP Address: 77.222.122.44--this is my public IP (default setting is 192.168.1.10)
Subnet Mask:255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.X (same as Westell )
DNS1:66.454.56.2

Network Setup:
IP Address: 192.168.100.2
Subnet Mask:255.255.255.0

DHCP Server Setting:

DHCP Server: Enabled
Start IP Address:192.168.100.3
IP address range:192.168.100.3-->10

I connected ethernet cable from Westell Ethernet port to WAN port on Linsys.

Thank again for your help.

 

[jimbopalmer]

No clue why you would do ANY of what you have done, but the error is because you default gateway (192.168.1.x) is not in the subnet of the router. (192.168.100.x)

When you want it to work as a WAP, please read my earlier post or picohats.

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

 

[stduc]

I'm not sure how to help you really? I don't know either device so I can only offer general help.

Couple of things spring to mind though.

1st - Why do you need 2 routers? Why not simply use the lynksys and retire the westall?

2nd - you can't connect ethernet to WAN - it doesn't work! That port is for connecting to your modem.

If you connect it via 1 of the ethernet ports to the westall then configure as I suggested earlier.

Use "Setup Tab - Advanced Routing" to configure a static route to your westall - might work?

All the best.

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[nightcast]

I'm sorry for make this more complicated. I was not 100% sure how to setup my second routers. There are features that I don't understand and when it comes to router I am a dummies user. I wonder if there is a good website dedicated to router basic setup to advance level setup. Basically, I just want to turn my second router into an wireless access point so that when I take my laptop outside I can still access my home networking because my Westell one doesn't transmitted radio frequency that far. I cannot waste Westell since Linksys does'nt have a DSL port. This is reason why I cannot replace it in the first place. Fortunately, today I follow this Quick Guide to Configure Wireless Router as Access Point and I have my problem solved. Thank you again for all your helps.