I am definitely no expert here as you can tell. I only know what I have learned myself over the years. Part of the need for separate routers is to control children's access and turn off for punishment without shutting down the house. I like to do timed access and MAC restrictions.
I have Time Warner Arris, one IP.
I have a Linksys WRT 1900 AC (on the main floor of the house)
I have an Apple Extreme (in my office in the garage connected ethernet)
I have an Asus gaming router connected only to a PC for online gaming.
I have a Netgear 16 port switch in the basement connected to the Linksys
There are many things connected in my house via ethernet and wireless. (4) DVR's, (5) Apple TV's, (6) iPhones, (
Laptops, (2) gaming systems, (1) Slingbox, (1) GenieGo, (2) iPads, (2) Wifi Plug switches, (1) Nest Thermostat, (2) NAS devices, (2) Network printers and other things I am sure I am forgetting. I have 4 - 5 Teenagers in the house at any given time. It is not uncommon for one of them to be playing on line gaming non-stop while two others are watching Netflix and surfing on their phones or laptops.
I have Time Warner Ultimate 50/5 service.
Here is the goal -
Separate Apple Router in my office which is out in the garage. Ethernet runs into the basement and connects to switch in basement.
Separate ASUS router for gaming only to keep the processor load separate from the house
Separate Linksys router for the rest of the houses needs
I would like all of these routers to be able to talk to each other so I can access them no matter what I am connected to and the GenieGo works from any of them.
What if I add a second 8 port switch off the Time Warner Arris and put the Arris in bridge more and use DHCP on the other routers connected to the switch. This also means that the switch in the basement is connected off the Linksys which is connected to a smaller switch. Does that work? Will I still have DHCP issues, (I am thinking yes). Maybe just put the Time Warner Arris in DHCP, connect switch and run my other routers off it in bridge mode? That way I can set up MAC restrictions and such on a specific router as needed. Does this model mean that the specific routers processor is doing all the work and the Arris is just providing an IP through the switch to the router?
Share with me your knowledge of great ones! I am here to be molded. Trying to make an efficient network I can control in parts. Its a powerful tool to be able to turn off a single kids internet! It gets their attention...
Thoughts, advice? Thanks to all that have responded.