▾Do you need a reliable network that will cover the entire area of the house, including the workshop, garage or porch and yard? With two interconnected routers, you can easily do this, the wireless solution is also much simpler and you can change the location of the routers without re-installing the interconnecting cables. Installation a wireless network with two bridges connected by routers is not extremely complicated. With this detailed guide, you can definitely do it!
Not every router will be suitable
Bridging can only be done by some types of routers, you have to check that first. If they don't support the "Bridge" or "Repeater" mode feature (which happens especially with low-cost models), you can try uploading a custom open source firmware (DD-WRT) that makes the feature available, but it probably won't work for every single. If you are purchasing new routers to build a wireless network, check compatibility with the DD WRT feature on the Internet before purchasing devices. For devices that you already have at home, you will find out the availability of the "Bridge" mode from the documentation that you received with the device when you purchased it. However, if the router cannot be used to make a wireless network, don't worry, you can connect the network with a network cable.
Step by step instructions
- For an easier setup, bring both routers to your computer, place them in the selected places only after completing the setup process and verifying the functionality of the network. You select one of the routers as the MAIN (primary) and the other will serve as the secondary. For the primary router, make the settings as if it were intended for normal Wi-Fi signal transmission. Connect it to the modem and computer with a network cable. You will not disconnect it until the wireless setup process is complete. You definitely need to make a note of his IP address, DHCP range and subnet mask. If the routers are of a different type and one has more powerful antennas, you will always choose it as the primary one. This will allow the secondary router to be placed as far away as possible, thus maximizing signal coverage. The next step will be to set up the secondary router. To do this, connect the secondary router to the computer via a network cable, and then open its configuration page. There is no need to connect the secondary router to the modem, after logging in you will search for pages marked "Wireless" or "Internet". Then turn on "Bridge" mode by selecting "Wireless Mode", "Network Mode" or "Connection Type" settings you will choose "Bridge mode" or "Repeater Mode". If you have used the DD-WRT firmware, you must select the "Repeater Bridge" mode. If none of the above menus appear on your connected computer, this router probably doesn't support bridging mode, so use a network cable connection. You will now specify the IP address of the secondary router by entering it according to the range of the main (primary) router. Example: If the IP address of the primary router is, for example, 192.168.1.1, enter 192.168.1.50 or similar, but always within the DHCP range of the main (primary) router. Be sure to check that the network mask matches the mask setting on the main router.
- At the end of the settings, you enter the unique SSID (Service Set Identifier). This will allow you to distinguish which router on the network you are connecting to. It is usually best to connect to a closer router, but if you move frequently with a mobile receiver, be sure to choose a stronger signal. The primary and secondary routers can be named arbitrarily, but the combination of letters or numbers resembling the license plate on the car is not the right one for orientation, rather choose a more descriptive designation (such as "room", floor ", home 1", etc.). Check the security method settings, which must be the same on both routers (WEP, WPA, WPA2) and the password you entered. This completes the setup and the routers should work properly. The last step you take after verifying the functionality of the network is to place the secondary router where you want the signal to repeat (that is, where you need to extend it). Make sure that there are no obstacles for the signal between the primary and secondary router (reinforced concrete structures, metal mesh in the walls and partitions, etc.).
TIP: Do you want to maintain really good signal quality even after bridging? Therefore, place the secondary router where at least 50% of the signal strength from the main (primary) router is maintained.
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