Adding 2nd router to extend wifi range?

[northy]

Hi

Im using the Sagaem sky router for my connect product and also have an (unused) existing netgear router.

We have an old house with very thick walls so the Sagem signall doesnt extend as far as id like (i have changed channles, cannot physically move it easily due to the BT line entry, and want to explore this no cost option before i try plugs etc)

So - specifically:
Can i configure the netgear router to wirelessly extend the Sagem wifi signal?


I have read a number of conflicting posts elsewhere that this is possible...but get stuck / confused in terms of what the settings on the netgear need to be (disable DHCP, static IP address outside of Sagem DHCP min / max? Same SSIS as the Sagem? etc etc)

Can someone give me any defintive advice on what to set up on the netgear router??

Many Thanks,
Northy

[Smithy99]

No, you would have to link the two router with an ethernet cable to do this.

[northy]

Smithy99

OK - can you tell me how to do it if the two routers are connected via ethernet?
ie what settings i need to make on my 2nd router?

As way of compromise i will connect via ethernet to the Sagem in the office....but then want to connect to the Netgear router wirelessly in the rest of the house, as its signal is stonger than the Sagem one on the other side of the house (netgear signal reaches but sagem does not).

I have tried plugging in the ethernet from the netgear into the Sagem, and i can work on the lan / ethernet...but when i go wireless, i seem to have to pull out / in the ethernet cables to kinda "refresh" the connection? Same then goes for when i want to revert back to the ethernet in the office....doesnt connect until i pull out the cable to the netgear router.

Are there some eg ip settings on the 2nd netgear router i need to set up?


Many Thanks in advance!
Northy

[northy]

so just to clarify - the 2 routers are sitting next to each other (connected via ethernet) in my office.

- When in the office, i will connect direct to the Sagem / adsl via another ethernet cable to my laptop.

- When out of the office / in the rest of the house, i want to connect wirelessly to the Netgear router...that in turn is connected via ethernet to my Sky Sagem box.

Makes sense?

[Isitme]

You may find that the reception from the Netgear is no better than the Sagem. Have you checked it. You should be able to do this by turning off the wireless in the Sagem, plug in the Netgear, it does not need to be connected to the Sagem, see if you are getting a signal in parts of the house you want it.

[northy]

yes - netgear has a better signal...regardless of channel...hence the idea of using this one....maybe cos its got an antenna?

(note - the netgear signal isnt in a different league - its only "one bar", but its consistent whereas the Sagem fluctuates between one and no bars on the far side of the house - so sometimes doesnt connect....the netgear always does)

[northy]

alternatively it seems in theory i could fudge it and use the netgear router to connect to sky adsl directly (take the sagem out of the loop)...but im unsure of the contractual risks here...

[Isitme]

There are many using their own routers, with no problems reported so far. I would think Sky would give a warning before they cut you off, if they want to enforce their T & Cs strictly.

[Donaldson2121]

I currently have my sagem router connected to my belkin n1 router to give me better wireless range.

I Just turned off WIFI on the sagem and put my Belkin into a mode to enable it just as an "access point", connected the 2 with an ethernet lead and setup the wireless securty on the Belkin sorted.

If ure Netgear doesnt give you the option to switch it to work as just an access point you will need to disable DHCP on it otherwise both routers will try and assign you an IP address.

[shulbert]

Hi There. I had the same problem a few months back and fixed the problem both with Sky and a BT setup I also look after. If anyone is still interesting in how to achieve this, I can supply details. But in nutshell, here is what I did:

1) On the sky router, restricted the dynamic IP range to guarantee a static one for the second router
2) On my laptop, switched OFF wireless and hooked up to the second router via a network cable and a) changed it's IP address to a static one (I chose 192.168.0.100) and b) CRUTIALLY disabled it's acting as a DHCP server. Also switched wireless on, chose a non-competing channel to the sky router, separate SSID etc.
3) Using a pair of devolo home plugs I then connected one of the Sky router network ports to one Devolo, and then upstairs plugged in the 2nd devolo and connected the second router to it via ethernet.

HAving done this, I effectively have two wireless networks in my house. But If I connect to the "upstairs" wireless network, I get allocated an IP address straight from the Sky router no problem. But I am connecting to it through wireless > 2nd router > mains wiring ...