Two Routers?

If you have a lot of equipment that needs to be hardwired to the router, can I use two routers?(one in each room)

I am in the UK and my supplier is Plusnet. They have supplied me with their router...but can I use my old one that I bought myself or am I being stupidly thick as usual?

Kind regards
Onnha

 

ARGH.....I needed a router in two totally different places........so it looks like it's not feasible.....

Never mind, I will have to replan my life...

Thanks for your help Plodr

 

I don't feel using two routers is much of a hassle at all. Every router I have seen has a built-in Ethernet switch (typically a 4-port), and an "up-channel" or "WAN" connector and you can easily use one just as a switch as seen here. Yes, a dedicated switch is easier to set up, but if you already have a spare router, I see no reason to spend money on a switch.

Also, because the primary function of a router is to connect (or isolate) two networks, if you want to isolate that second network from the first, a router is the way to go.

 

arhhh....will try it out tonight but I think my spare router is very basic, I have nothing to lose...(only my patience!)

thank you very much

Onnha

 

I have seen that too, but I have also seen, over and over again, where users (normal users - not IT experts) take an Ethernet cable, connect the two routers as simply as described in each owners manual, disable DHCP and start 'puting!

And NO DOUBT, using a switch is an excellent, most direct, and preferred solution. I have a similar setup here, but running into my shop area, I have my old router, which I use to isolate the broken computers coming into my shop from my own network upstairs, but still allowing me Internet access.

I am simply saying you (or the OP) can look (or download and look) in the owner's manual of the second router and see how to turn it into a switch, then run with your excellent solution.

On the old workhorse, the Linksys BEFSR41 4-Port Ethernet router, this is really simple. Access the admin menu, Disable DHCP, set the LAN IP address to 192.168.1.2 (if other router is 1.1), connect the other computers, obtain a new IP from the first router (or manually assign them) and you are good to go.

OR - the OP can do a little more research and use the 2nd router as a router, creating an isolated network from the devices hanging off the 1st router - and STILL all have Internet access.

The problem you described was most likely due the DHCP left enabled on the 2nd router, potentially causing two devices to be assigned the same IP. Easy to happen, easy to fix. Since switches do not assign IP addresses, if the router is to be used as a switch, DHCP needs to be disabled on that side. On some older routers, cross-over or uplink settings may have to be changed.

I recommend looking over the hits in the Google search link I provided above. If a little too deep - and there's absolutely no shame if it is - the buying a new, inexpensive switch is the way to go. And if the case, I recommend getting a 1Gbit/sec switch - to ensure future proofing of your network.

As for POE adapters, I am not crazy about them. Perhaps if I lived in 6 year old house instead of a 60 year old house I might feel different. However peripheral devices such as printer, they work fine.

To reiterate - I think plodr's suggest to buy a new switch (I don't recommend hubs anymore) is the best solution. And as seen at Newegg, a simple switch is not a budget buster. But since old routers can be turned into switches with not too much effort, if you want to save a few bucks, and maybe learn a bit about networking in the process, no harm in trying.

 

Thank you.

Will try and work it all out!

 

Thank you.

Will try and work it all out!

 

Keep us posted.

 

I'll have to try and find the router...I've put it somewhere safe

pah......could be anywhere!

 

In the meantime, look for the manual too - or go out to the router maker's site and d/l it to see how (if?) this can be done.

 

Here's a couple of generic guides to using a second router. You would still need the manual for possible specific information.

Wired Router as a Passive Switch
Network Segregation