Connecting a second router to same network

I currently have a Linksys router on the second floor of my house and it provides a good wifi signal for everything but the basement. How can I connect my old Linksys router to the same network and extend the signal to the basement. Would it be possible for the router to take the internet connection from the ethernet port in the wall in the basement and broadcast the signal or does it have to be directly connected to the primary router? Hope you guys can help me out.

 

Look up your router's model and see if you can't set it as a wireless repeater. You will get a drop in transfer speed for gear connected to the repeater, but if you can use it as a repeater, you'll be able to boost the signal.

 

If you have Ethernet lines running from the router upstairs to a wall port in the basement, follow these steps to turn the basement router into an access point.

1. Check IP of main router. Usually 192.168.1.1 for Linksys. Note the range of the DHCP server.

2. Plug an Ethernet cord into a LAN port of basement router. Plug other end into your computer

3. Log into admin console. Usually 192.168.1.1. User is admin, PW is admin.

4. Setup SSID. Can be the same as upstairs or different. For ease, I always do "Network_downstairs" if main SSID is "Network". Usually make the password the same for ease.

5. Now change the IP address of the router to a different one outside the DHCP range. For example, if range is 192.168.1.10-192.168.1.50, you can make the router be 192.168.1.2 or 192.168.1.254.

6. Save your settings. Since the IP has changed you'll have to log out then back in with the IP you set in step 5. Ie. http://192.168.1.2

7. Now go to the dhcp server settings of basement router. Turn off dhcp server

8. Save. The router will reboot and you will no longer be able to automatically connect and get an IP address from the router.

9. Remove the Ethernet from the computer. Plug it into the wall. Leave the other end in the LAN port of the router. This is crucial.

10. Not necessary but you can power cycle all networking equipment to ensure they work. Connect and voila!

This process assumes you have wall jacks that ultimately connect with the router upstairs. If you don't, you can buy a powerline kit. This includes two adapters. One connects via Ethernet to the main router, plugs into wall. The other plugs into wall and Ethernet to second router. Those things are great with decent transfer rate of 500mbps. We get them for $45-60. ActionTec makes the best. With the powerline you'd follow the same steps as above. You essentially have wall jacks for Ethernet

Wireless repeaters and routers that have repeater mode are awful ideas for long distance. If your signals are weak repeating it does not help much at all. Powerline or Ethernet connection is much much better.

Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk 2