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Question

Setup Two Routers

Oct 4, 2014 12:01AM PDT

Encountered a bit of a problem.

I have just signed up for BT TV. All Ok except that I cannot access a number of channels supplied through my broadband. Through trial and elimination I have established that the issue is my router (a ASUS RT-AC68U). I found a post on a BT forum which describes a different ASUS model setup, but setting my configuration the same makes no difference.

If I setup my BT Home Hub 3 the channels work fine.

The reason I have the ASUS, among others, is that the Wi-Fi on the Home Hub doesn't work properly. BT agree the WiFi isn't working but won't replace it (Ethernet connection works fine).

I like all the features of the ASUS and am really happy with the strength of the Wi-Fi, so I wondered if I could setup the two routers in "tandem"?

I have BT Infinity.

I have seen articles that suggest this can work but wondered if someone could give me instructions as how to do it please?

I presume that I connect the Home Hub to the BT\Open Reach cable modem. I disable the Home Hub Wi-Fi and connect the two routers together using an Ethernet cable. I would connect my BT TV setup via an Ethernet cable to the Home Hub, with everything else running off the ASUS?

What configuration\settings would I have for each router?

Is there anything else I need to do?

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Most common issue?
Oct 4, 2014 12:07AM PDT

The Double NAT.

It's on the web so I'll keep it short. If you have 2 routers in the usual LAN to WAN connection, things may not work.

If you "Use Router as a WAP" then it should be fine with the LAN to LAN setup.

Some want to get a sore head trying the LAN to WAN which I can't support.
Bob

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Okay...
Oct 4, 2014 12:50AM PDT

We are on the extreme edge of my knowledge here

Possibly\probably misunderstanding your post, but my searches for using a router as a wap came back with scenarios for people who have problems with signal in part of their building so run a cable to a router to boost the signal.

I presume that my Home Hub, which is connected to the cable router, is setup in the normal way (but disable Wi-Fi because it doesn't work).

Using an Ethernet cable I connect my home hub to my ASUS machine (connecting via the lan ports.

Its the configuration of the ASUS I do need help with. I presume I disable DHCP and I set a static IP address on the ASUS, but what about sub net settings? I'm also taking it that I do all the configuration on the ASUS before its connected to the Home Hub? Is there anything else I need to do with the ASUS before I connect it to the Home Hub.

Is this what I'm looking for?
http://techchannel.radioshack.com/connect-two-routers-one-home-network-2300.html

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Very close. You're almost there.
Oct 4, 2014 4:13AM PDT

"Using an Ethernet cable I connect my home hub to my ASUS machine (connecting via the lan ports.

Its the configuration of the ASUS I do need help with. I presume I disable DHCP and I set a static IP address on the ASUS, but what about sub net settings? I'm also taking it that I do all the configuration on the ASUS before its connected to the Home Hub? Is there anything else I need to do with the ASUS before I connect it to the Home Hub.

Is this what I'm looking for?
http://techchannel.radioshack.com/connect-two-routers-one-home-network-2300.html "

OK, what is this about subnets? Even at the office with 100+ machines we don't subnet. That was something we did decades ago with 10B2 COAX networks and later on dumb Ethernet hubs. Today all the gear is "switched" so no gain to subnetting. But it's a skill your IT staffer should know about.

-> Configuration before its connected? Since I have the second router as a WAP at a specific IP I can always get to it's configuration if need be. So for me, no.

You're close.
Bob

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Hopefully last question
Oct 4, 2014 6:12AM PDT

There's mention in the article about setting the second router (in this case my ASUS) as a bridge. In the manual for the ASU it just mentions about a wireless bridge. If I do need a bridge how do I setup a wired bridge?

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As a BRIDGE, an entirely different method is used.
Oct 4, 2014 6:20AM PDT

Some folk turn the modem+router from the ISP into a modem. That's one definition of the bridge mode. But I can't see why I'd use the Asus second router as a "bridge."
Bob

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Further
Oct 10, 2014 1:08AM PDT

I contacted ASUIS support to ensure I made the right connections and settings.

They advised

Try changing the LAN IP of the Asus router from default 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.2.1. This basically changes it from being in the same network as the BT HH, ie 192.168.1.x. Then connect the routers
from LAN of BT HH (yellow) to WAN (blue) of Asus. This should allow clients
connected to either router (ethernet or wireless) to connect to the internet.

In this config the Asus router will then get a private WAN IP from the HH through DHCP. The wireless channels can be separated from each other to avoid interference with
each other but this is unlikely with only 2 competing networks in range. Both devices
can have the firewalls enabled without any detrimental effects on the network.

The only "issues" I have now is that keep changing routers (that is the wireless connection). I presume that this is because every now and then one router pushes a stronger signal than the other.

This is Ok on My windows 8.1 machines as they seem to be sharing settings, but will have to wait and see about the Wifes Windows 7 machine.

The other issue is the wireless printer, I presume I have to switch router to use it?

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Sorry.
Oct 10, 2014 1:12AM PDT

But since you have a double NAT now I can't go further. Hopefully Asus will address your last issues.

Good luck,
Bob