• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

2 routers- why do i get a connection ?

L

lockmac

Senior member
hi. i was setting up wireless at my girlfriends house. she has a router that has a modem built in but it isnt wireless.

i have a wireless router that i have connected so that she can get wireless, but just have a few questions.

how come plugging in the router (the non wireless one that gets the connection from the isp) into any of the LAN ports on the wireless router makes all the other computers get the internet? I mean, this is what i wanted, but i am unsure why plugging a router into one of the LAN ports spreads the connection.

thanks
 
Maybe the 'modem' senses the router being hooked up and kicks into 'modem only' instead of a router which allows the real router to pick it up with no issues?? Would help if you posted the brands/models of these things.
 
Originally posted by: DigitalCancer
Maybe the 'modem' senses the router being hooked up and kicks into 'modem only' instead of a router which allows the real router to pick it up with no issues?? Would help if you posted the brands/models of these things.
Click to expand...

If the connection is from the LAN side of the wireless router to the LAN side of the wired router, as OP describes, then there's no way the wired router is the gateway. Sounds like it's just functioning as a switch.

Let's say the wired router is up, connected to the WAN, and has IP 192.168.0.1. Now you plug a cable from one of the LAN ports on the wired router to one of the LAN parts on the wireless router. The wireless router has nothing plugged into its WAN port, so presumably it won't assign itself any IP, since it is not a gateway, just a switch. Now the question is: can a client on the LAN-side of the wireless router (which includes the wireless clients) get a packet to 192.168.0.1 on the LAN side of the wired router? I didn't think you could connect a port on a switch directly to a port on another switch, but it sounds from the OP's report like it's working.
 
Originally posted by: Markbnj
Now the question is: can a client on the LAN-side of the wireless router (which includes the wireless clients) get a packet to 192.168.0.1 on the LAN side of the wired router? I didn't think you could connect a port on a switch directly to a port on another switch, but it sounds from the OP's report like it's working.
Click to expand...
Uhh, isn't that the whole point of switches?
 
Originally posted by: hnzw rui
Originally posted by: Markbnj
Now the question is: can a client on the LAN-side of the wireless router (which includes the wireless clients) get a packet to 192.168.0.1 on the LAN side of the wired router? I didn't think you could connect a port on a switch directly to a port on another switch, but it sounds from the OP's report like it's working.
Click to expand...
Uhh, isn't that the whole point of switches?
Click to expand...

Probably, but I haven't used one in a long time. I wasn't sure if there was one port specifically dedicated to connecting to another switch or router.
 
what i did was i assigned the wired router (the one connected to the wan) 192.168.1.1 and the wireless router 192.168.1.2. both of these devices are accessible from all computers and it is using 192.168.1.1 as the default gateway- it wont work if the gateway is 192.168.1.2. I had to turn DHCP off on the wireless router as it was setting the gateway to 192.168.1.2, which i didnt want.

the wireles router is a netgear and the wired router/modem is telstra bigpond's own (i think its called 2wire or something)

If the connection is from the LAN side of the wireless router to the LAN side of the wired router, as OP describes, then there's no way the wired router is the gateway. Sounds like it's just functioning as a switch
Click to expand...

The Wired router (the one connecting to the WAN) is the gateway

Now the question is: can a client on the LAN-side of the wireless router (which includes the wireless clients) get a packet to 192.168.0.1 on the LAN side of the wired router? I didn't think you could connect a port on a switch directly to a port on another switch, but it sounds from the OP's report like it's working.
Click to expand...

Yep, packets can get through.

If I do a tracert, you can see it go through both routers, first 192.168.2.1 (wireless, and then 192.168.1.1).

Just curious thanks guys
 
If you read Jack's links it explains it in straight forward terms. A LAN is just a broadcast domain - an access point, switches are all part of this same broadcast domain - the same LAN. You could hook up 100 access points as you did and they would all do the exact same thing. If you want to learn more in essence an access point is just a bridge - it connects two different physical layers at layer2.

while absolutely a terrible idea - you could hook up 1000 switches and access points together and they would still be the same LAN. You may never actually move many frames, technically it is the same broadcast domain, same LAN.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top