Connecting 2 Linksys WRT5G routers on one network?

TheSonicRetard

So I'm setting up a home network and I have a Linksys WRT5G router, but all 4 ports on it are used, and I have 3 devices which need internet on the other side of the house. I have a spare Linksys WRT5G router and I want to use it as a switch to add 3 more ports, but I can't seem to figure out how to do this.

To avoid dis-ambiguity, I'll refer to the gateway router (AKA where the internet is coming from) as Router A, and the switch router (the one I'm using for extra ports) as Router B. I have a lan cable running from port 1 of Router A to port 1 of Router B, and I can sorta get internet, but it causes my entire network to become extremely flakey, and I don't know why. Webpages on all devices on the network load about ten times slower, if at all, and the whole network is constantly crashing. If I remove Router B from the equation and reboot the network, it's all fine.

Now, I didn't configure anything really on Router B. I had messed with it for a while and set it from gateway to router and disabled DHCP, but it wouldn't work, so I eventually reset the settings and suddenly I began to get internet, albeit flakey internet. So all the settings on router B are default right now.

Anybody have any ideas what could be causing this? All I want is a spare switch! Am I gonna have to actually go out and buy one?

Mr_Rose

I think the option you are looking for is "use as access point" or similar. Also, make sure the routers are on different channels to minimise interference.

TheSonicRetard

Mr_Rose wrote: »

I think the option you are looking for is "use as access point" or similar. Also, make sure the routers are on different channels to minimise interference.

Oh, one thing I guess I forgot to clarify - this is all WIRED. I always though access points involved wireless networks. I want a hardwired network.

So that channels advice doesn't applie, I don't think.

taliosfalcon

The problem is definitely DHCP being enabled on router B. it'll be assigning ip addresses itself, which will conflict with router A's addresses. You also want to turn off any traffic filtering and firewalls on router B. The other thing to make sure of is that you're assigning router B an ip address on router A's subnet manually. i.e if router a is 192.168.0.1 make router b 192.168.0.2

TheSonicRetard

alright, so I should assign a static IP to my router. There are 2 settings for DHCP connections. The first is under internet connection type, it's set to dhcp by default. Should I set that to static IP?

Second, there is a spot to disable DHCP server. Should I disable that? Even if I assign a static IP?

taliosfalcon

TheSonicRetard wrote: »

alright, so I should assign a static IP to my router. There are 2 settings for DHCP connections. The first is under internet connection type, it's set to dhcp by default. Should I set that to static IP?

Second, there is a spot to disable DHCP server. Should I disable that? Even if I assign a static IP?

Your internet settings should be blank, it should be fine to leave it to dhcp since you have nothing plugged into the routers WAN port it won't get an IP from anywhere. I don't have any linksys routers but i'm running the same setup between a d-link and trendnet so i can't tell you the exact tabs, but both of my routers have a dhcp server/network settings tab. in here you can assign the router an IP address and change dhcp server settings, you want to give the router its static ip there AND disable the dhcp server. Once you've done all that you should navigate to the security settings and disable the firewall and any QOS settings it has enabled by default

TheSonicRetard

OK, I'm terrible with this routing shit, so hopefully someone is willing to walk me through. Preferably soon since I'm about to leave.

In case anybody is wondering how I can still be online, I have my laptop connected wirelessly to router A, and router B is disconnected from router A, but is connected to my desktop.

I set router B's internect connection type to Static IP. I now have 6 slots for addresses. I'm supposed to enter the following:
Internet IP Address: 0.0.0.0
Subnet Mask: 0.0.0.0
Gateway: 0.0.0.0
Static DNS1: 0.0.0.0
Static DNS2: 0.0.0.0
Static DNS3: 0.0.0.0

I access router A's settings on my laptop by going to 192.168.1.1, and I'm preey sure my subnet mask is 255.255.255.0

Could anybody walk me through what each setting is supposed to be? I'd be very grateful.

EDIT: nvm, read below

TheSonicRetard

Well, hmm, I think it worked... I have internet on my desktop now, but the problem has always been that it's flakey. I changed router B's ip address to 192.168.1.99 and disabled the dhcp server, so I guess all thats left is to see if the thing works for a while.

Much appreciated!

taliosfalcon

Ok, maybe I wasn't clear enough On Router B's internet connection settings, leave it set to dhcp and leave everything blank. Now, find the settings page that had the dhcp server on/off settings, there should also be a router name and IP address field somewhere in the settings here, if not you have another network settings tab somewhere that has this info.

When you find this tab you want to set it to
Router IP address- 192.168.1.2
Subnet - 255.255.255.0

edit: ahh ok then 192.168.1.99 should also work fine

TheSonicRetard

it appears to be working, I've got bioshock downloading off steam and the connection looks solid.

Thanks a ton man, you saved me a big big headache.

Mr_Grinch

I have a similar setup, three routers spread about the house. If you have any stability problems (my WRT54G's did) then it might be worth looking in to flashing DD-WRT on to the WRT54G.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index

If things are working fine, obviously don't fuck with it but otherwise give it a go, it's like turning a $50 router in to a $200 one (ok, that's not true but it's a BIG improvement).