▾Are you asking what the point is to connect two routers? Their connection can be very beneficial and has several possibilities how to use them. Do you want to create a network that reliably covers the whole house? Then the connected routers are the optimal solution. Do you need to extend the range of Wi-Fi so that you can easily have a wireless signal available in the workshop, garage or in the yard or other areas? Connecting routers will allow you to do that.
Connected routers will offer other options
By reinforcement the Wi-Fi network, you are far from using up the benefits of connected routers (for this function you will need the option of wireless setup, referred to as "bridge"). If your children use the Internet access, you can also create subnets that protect children while they are working and having fun on the net in a convenient and non-violent way. The procedure for connecting two routers is not complicated if you follow the procedures described below. In principle, you can use two basic connection options - using a network cable or using wireless transmission (bridging).
One of them will be the leader
In this article, you will see how you can easily make a connection using a network cable. The cable has the great advantage that the transmission is incredibly fast and at the same time without any interference. Before you start connecting both routers, you must choose one of them, which will continue to serve as the MAIN ROUTER. Choose a newer or more powerful type as the main one, if you have the two exactly same models, of course it doesn't matter which one you choose. The second router will serve as a SECONDARY, whose task is to expand the original network of the first router. If you choose to create a LAN - WAN network, the secondary router will take care of controlling the so-called secondary network.
You need to have routers at hand for setup
You can move the router to the selected location after completing the setup and checking that the connection is working properly, otherwise you would run from one to the other unnecessarily. So to start off, place both routers somewhere near your computer, which is guaranteed to be most convenient. Before you start the connecting, there is one important choice awaits you, the choice between a LAN-LAN or LAN-WAN connection. What will you actually choose between?
- LAN-LAN (Local Area Network) will enable the enlargement of a computer network and at the same time the connection of a larger number of different devices. These devices will then be able to easily share resources and files with each other.
- LAN-WAN (Wide Area Network) it works by creating a second, secondary network (LAN) within the main network (labeled WAN). This may sound complicated, but in principle, with this connection, you can arbitrarily restrict all devices that are connected to a smaller network as needed, which is sometimes desirable and necessary for network administrators. However, this method of interconnection also brings a certain complication. It is not possible to share resources and files to the main network. However, this network setting in turn offers the ability to modify the DNS (Domain Name System) for the secondary network. If you are one of the parents who want to monitor the activities and movement of their children on the Internet and possibly be able to control the visited domains (or restrict access to some preventively), this involvement is an ideal choice. In addition, using a LAN-WAN network will make it significantly more difficult for random hackers to try to infiltrate your files or control connected devices.
Connection of the main router
First you connect the selected main router to the modem, then to the computer (via a network cable). Make settings that do not differ from the settings for using the router itself. So just enter the address (usually 192.168.1.1, 192.168.2.1 or 192.168.0.1), then make a note of the IP address and the subnet mask of the router.
To create the network LAN-WAN, set the DHCP service on the main router to assign address in the range of 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.50. For the LAN-LAN network, DHCP settings can be left unattended. Then disconnect the computer from the main router and connect the secondary router to the computer. After opening the configuration page, it is necessary, to create a LAN-LAN network, change the IP address to be identical to the IP address of the main router, only increase the last digit by 1. For LAN-WAN, increase by 1 to the penultimate digit. If the secondary router is equipped with the UPnP function, turn it off, and it is appropriate to check the subnet mask identically entered. f you are creating the LAN-WAN network, you will also need to change the IP address of the secondary router to 192.168.1.51.
DHCP server settings for the secondary router
For the network LAN-LAN, simply turn off the DHCP function. For LAN-WAN, the secondary router must be set up so that the assigned addresses are between 192.168.2.2 and 192.168.2.50. If there is interference between routers, set the channels for the main to 1-6 and for the secondary to 11. You can now place the routers in the selected locations.
It should always keep in mind that the mains cable will need to be routed between them, and that the terminal should be protected from dirt or mechanical damage when it is routed through narrow openings and walls. Place the main router near the modem, then plug one end of the Ethernet cable into any LAN port on the main router. Then plug the other end of the cable with the end into the LAN port on the secondary router (to create a LAN-LAN) or into the WAN port (for LAN-WAN).
And hurray, the network is ready!
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