Can you run 2 routers on 1 DSL incoming?

[jwstewar]

I went a little different approach.

I had a router that had quit working on me (still under warranty, but had to send in) so I bought another one to use in the mean time. Hadn't sent the defective router in for repair and hadn't even called tech support. Plugged it in to start messing with it so I could call support. It started working. So then I got an idea.

I have everything on the house using WPA-2 security and MAC address filtering. The kids got new Nintendo DSI XLs for Christmas and wanted to get on the web. Problem is they don't support WPA - only WEP. Not wanting to redo everything (or go to a less secure method) I reconfigured the old router and plugged its WAN port into a LAN connection on the new router. I then configured the wireless security on the old router to use the WEP security. I'm now essentially running 2 separate wireless networks. You can't see my main network now from my new "DMZ."

Not saying the other ways won't work or aren't better, just a different way I skinned the cat.

 

[zzvyb6]

So Ken, I presume your current DSL modem does NOT have a wireless feature on it? BTW: the replies have been excellant. All this on a Tractor forum!

I have a similar problem but I have a wireless feature on my DSL router. I have a 600' spool of CAT6 cable that is connected to my digital camera security system down at the barn. It works on the network just fine (security system is not at the barn now. The wire is still spooled up in my office and the security recorder and house DSL router are only 10' apart right now. I hooked it up to see if it worked).

The security recorder does not have a wireless feature. So, can I plug it into another wireless router out at the barn which can then wirelessly connect to the house DSL wireless and complete the connection? I believe they call this 'bridge mode'. That would save me the trouble of burying the CAT6 cable. The distance between the barn camera system and the house would be about 400'.

Sorry to lead the thread a bit astray, but I've been wanting to ask this question for some time.

Thank you.

 

[sweettractors]

So Ken, I presume your current DSL modem does NOT have a wireless feature on it? BTW: the replies have been excellant. All this on a Tractor forum!

I have a similar problem but I have a wireless feature on my DSL router. I have a 600' spool of CAT6 cable that is connected to my digital camera security system down at the barn. It works on the network just fine (security system is not at the barn now. The wire is still spooled up in my office and the security recorder and house DSL router are only 10' apart right now. I hooked it up to see if it worked).

The security recorder does not have a wireless feature. So, can I plug it into another wireless router out at the barn which can then wirelessly connect to the house DSL wireless and complete the connection? I believe they call this 'bridge mode'. That would save me the trouble of burying the CAT6 cable. The distance between the barn camera system and the house would be about 400'.

Sorry to lead the thread a bit astray, but I've been wanting to ask this question for some time.

Thank you.

The friend at Church said his router in the shop was wired and he rented it from the ISP. I hope someone else can answer your specific question, I am pretty much in the dark on this kinda stuff. You are right, what a wealth of information we have here on TBN. Ken Sweet

 

[drssg]

The security recorder does not have a wireless feature. So, can I plug it into another wireless router out at the barn which can then wirelessly connect to the house DSL wireless and complete the connection? I believe they call this 'bridge mode'. That would save me the trouble of burying the CAT6 cable. The distance between the barn camera system and the house would be about 400'.

If I'm understanding correctly, you would be attempting to make a wireless connection over a 400' distance. That's going to be tough. If you have a laptop with wireless, you could test whether it can make a connection to the house wireless from the barn. Also check the signal strength.

I tried that at my place and ended up running the wire. I rented a piece of equipment that makes a little slice in the ground to bury the wire. It wasn't too bad, and the end result is SO much more reliable.

 

[k0ua]

James, is there any way of turning the second router into a "hot spot" where visiting wireless users would have to log in as guest. I was thinking about this over the weekend that it would be really nice if that was possible. I have teenage boys at home and many of their friends stay at my place on weekends and all surf the net with their wireless devices like cell phones and ipods. I usually just leave on a unsecured router to give them access to the net. Doing this opens my internet to anyone who drives near my place which I would rather not do.

Hot spot landing pages and radius servers are a little beyond me, but here is a link you might find helpful, or maybe others can help here.

Wireless HotSpot HowTo | HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

If I'm understanding correctly, you would be attempting to make a wireless connection over a 400' distance. That's going to be tough. If you have a laptop with wireless, you could test whether it can make a connection to the house wireless from the barn. Also check the signal strength.

I tried that at my place and ended up running the wire. I rented a piece of equipment that makes a little slice in the ground to bury the wire. It wasn't too bad, and the end result is SO much more reliable.

Good advice, but I have used the linksys AP in bridge mode at about that far with the stock antenna's . they do bridgemode, AP mode and Repeater Mode. Of course better antennas can overcome about anything, It depends on how much antenna you can build/buy and how big you can stand. lots of plans on the web.. google 802.11 antenna or wi-fi antenna or something like that.
James K0UA

 

[zzvyb6]

I don't need to go 400' feet because router1 goes out 250' (measured) and router2, if it can go the same distance, would give me 100' of overlap (theoretically, eh?). The question then becomes how to wirelessly connect 2 wireless routers in a wireless daisy chain..

 

[inveresk]

I have that setup. I use two Airport Extremes, one to serve my office and the other to pick up and broadcast the office network to the house.

When I plugged in to configure the second airport, I had the choice to configure a new network or extend an existing network. Choosing the second option was all there was to it.

I'm not particularly conversant with Windows beyond troubleshooting the wife's laptop from time to time but wouldn't your installation wizard offer you similar choices?

 

[drssg]

I don't need to go 400' feet because router1 goes out 250' (measured) and router2, if it can go the same distance, would give me 100' of overlap (theoretically, eh?). The question then becomes how to wirelessly connect 2 wireless routers in a wireless daisy chain..

I'm not sure I understand your situation, but if router1 and router2 are 400' apart, then they both need to be able to transmit their signal 400'.

I also forgot to mention that I used cable that was rated for direct burial. It has what looks like petroleum jelly inside the main wire casing.

As k0ua said, you can probably purchase equipment that will provide a wireless connection. When I attempted it using the consumer grade equipment that I had on-hand, it didn't work well. If I buy more expensive equipment, I'm really not sure it will work until I try it. The direct line approach seemed more straight forward and it has been quite reliable for me.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Yes you can have as many routers as you want with 1 DSL incoming. I've had 3 wireless routers running together in my house, currently two. If you set the ip and masks properly, not a problem. I have one with WEP for the one thing that doesn't support WPA and one with WPA2. If friends come over, they need the password to use my network, I don't open it up, although WEP can be broken pretty quickly with a small amount of work. I actually have two ISP's on one router, hughesnet and Verizon mifi.