Using two routers on network... is it possible?

[neworldman]

I have 5 pc's hooked up to a Linksys wired BEFSR41 router right now. They are all connected with a Panasonic BL-PA100KTA Ethernet Adapters. My Daughter just got a laptop in here room. She wants to be able to use it with wireless. Can I just add a wireless add-on router to her Ethernet connection in her room? Or do I need to buy a new router to replace the Linksys wired BEFSR41 router?

[redwudz]

The routers would have to use different addresses or they will interfere.

But you need wireless and your router doesn't have that option. It's probably easier to replace the router with one that does, then add a inexpensive switch if you run out of connection points on the router. You can even use the old router as a switch if you don't use the WAN input. I've used a couple of old routers as switches and they work great.

But if you really want to add another wireless router to your existing setup, it can be done. Use a different address for it. For example, if your present router uses 192.168.1.1, make the other router 192.168.0.1 and it should work. There may be a bit more to it, but I have used that setup before with no major problems. Just plug it into your existing router and give it a LAN address for input and a different LAN output address configuration. Using fixed LAN addresses may make all this a bit easier.

You can do a internet search for ' adding a second router to a home network ' and probably find some guides or advice to set this all up.

[Nelson37]

Yes, you can add a second router, though not generally recommended. It would put her laptop on a different subnet.

You could use a Wireless Access Point, but these are for some unknown reason more expensive than a wireless router.

[neworldman]

Great thanks. Is there a good wireless router you would recommend that also has Ethernet ports for my no wireless PC's. One that has good range in my 4000 square foot house and won't take away from my wired PC's. The main PC with the modem and router is located up upstairs along with my daughters room. Is it better to have the wireless on the same floor or does it matter? Thanks

[redwudz]

If you are familiar with Linksys setups already, then take a look at a wireless version similar to what you have. They usually have at least four wired output ports and if you need more, use your old router as a switch. Plug one of the LAN outputs of the new router into the old routers LAN port. That should give you at least three more LAN outputs. No need to configure the old router for this. It should be plug and play. Works with most routers. NewEgg also has a 5 connection D-link switch at present for about $4 after rebates if you only need a 10/100 switch. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127085

Your new wireless router should have enough signal for your setup. If the laptop is on the same floor as the router, then no problem. If it's on another floor, you may want to orient the antennas different for strongest signal, but still easy enough. I would set up WPA encryption and MAC address filtering on the wireless router so you don't have a security risk to your LAN PCs. You can network them all together or just give the laptop internet access if you like.

Unless you have a slow internet connection and your daughter is downloading a lot of P2P files, shouldn't have much, if any, affect on your LAN whether wired or wireless. (And if you want to be mean, you can always filter her internet connection with the router. Just don't let her know the router PW. You can even schedule her hours of internet access. )

[neworldman]

What about this wireless router? It talks about a dual band wireless. It still has the ethernet ports I need for my wired pc's. Just want to make sure it will work.

http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-WRT400N-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-Router/dp/B001SEL36M/ref=sr...3428930&sr=8-1


Thanks

[redwudz]

It should work OK. You can get it at NewEgg cheaper, though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124333&cm_re=WRT400N-_-33-124-333-_-Product I would read through their reviews, though, with a bit of skepticism as they are not always unbiased. But you may find some good info there.

The dual band is not a big bonus unless you already have 'N' Ethernet adapters on the laptop. Most are 'G'. But it may be somewhat 'future proof', so not a bad thing. I didn't read all the specs, but I have a Linksys WRT600N that has worked fairly well. I do have a couple of 'N' USB adapters I can use with my PCs, but I run mostly wired except for my laptop. 'N' will give you a bit more bandwidth for streaming video between the PCs but no effect on the internet connection speed. You can likely also switch off the 'N', then you don't have to set encryption for it also. The signal has a bit less interference and can travel further, so it can be a security problem if on and not encrypted.

[neworldman]

It should work OK. You can get it at NewEgg cheaper, though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124333&cm_re=WRT400N-_-33-124-333-_-Product I would read through their reviews, though, with a bit of skepticism as they are not always unbiased. But you may find some good info there.

The dual band is not a big bonus unless you already have 'N' Ethernet adapters on the laptop. Most are 'G'. But it may be somewhat 'future proof', so not a bad thing. I didn't read all the specs, but I have a Linksys WRT600N that has worked fairly well. I do have a couple of 'N' USB adapters I can use with my PCs, but I run mostly wired except for my laptop. 'N' will give you a bit more bandwidth for streaming video between the PCs but no effect on the internet connection speed. You can likely also switch off the 'N', then you don't have to set encryption for it also. The signal has a bit less interference and can travel further, so it can be a security problem if on and not encrypted.

\

Great thanks. I do have some of those switches you talked about already... two of them but they are Linksys EZX855W. I hope they will work with this wireless router.

[redwudz]

Switches are about the easiest component in a LAN system to use, just plug and play.

[neworldman]

It should work OK. You can get it at NewEgg cheaper, though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124333&cm_re=WRT400N-_-33-124-333-_-Product I would read through their reviews, though, with a bit of skepticism as they are not always unbiased. But you may find some good info there.

The dual band is not a big bonus unless you already have 'N' Ethernet adapters on the laptop. Most are 'G'. But it may be somewhat 'future proof', so not a bad thing. I didn't read all the specs, but I have a Linksys WRT600N that has worked fairly well. I do have a couple of 'N' USB adapters I can use with my PCs, but I run mostly wired except for my laptop. 'N' will give you a bit more bandwidth for streaming video between the PCs but no effect on the internet connection speed. You can likely also switch off the 'N', then you don't have to set encryption for it also. The signal has a bit less interference and can travel further, so it can be a security problem if on and not encrypted.

\

Great thanks. I do have some of those switches you talked about already... two of them but they are Linksys EZX855W. I hope they will work with this wireless router.

Will I have to buy the 'N' usb adapter to work with this router wirelessly or will it work with any laptop wirelessly?


Thanks

[redwudz]

The laptop should have a built in 'G' adapter and that's all you probably need for your applications. Just about all laptops have that installed by default in the past few years. You can always add a 'N' adapter later if desired. That router has both 'N' and 'G' outputs.