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Question

Setting up a second router

Mar 15, 2018 11:00AM PDT

My first modem/router is a Plusnet Hub One for fibre provided by my ISP. My second router is an ExpressVPN/Linksys 1200AC supplied by Flash Routers.

My second router uses its own SSID so that I can choose whether or not to connect to my VPN.

My questions are:
Should my second router should be connected LAN to WAN (which seems to slow my internet speed) or LAN to LAN?

Should DCHP be disabled on my second router?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
Your choice.
Mar 15, 2018 1:33PM PDT

Either setup should show some speed loss but if you use LAN to LAN you turned your router into a WAP and likely lose the VPN feature. VPNs so far seem to always lose speed so the hard to accept fact is you choose security or speed. There are very new networkers that complain endlessly. You wait for this to sink in and don't get into that. Let them learn.

Your choice on setup but to get the setup I think you want, WAN on VPN router to LAN.

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DCHP
Mar 15, 2018 1:39PM PDT

Thanks for your input.

I raised the question because I get slower internet speeds when I connected wirelessly to the second router, even when VPN was deselected.

If I stay with LAN to WAN (main router to second router) as you suggest, should DCHP be disabled on my second router or doesn't it make any difference?

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On LAN to LAN
Mar 15, 2018 1:43PM PDT

That's the classic "Use a router as a WAP" and so far, all routers you do this to lose VPN and parental controls.