Access points

[preme]

Hi Guys,

Wondering if anyone is able to advise: We just had Virgin media fiber optic broadband put in and its a bit weak in some rooms on WiFi. Have another Virgin media router laying around so trying to setup up to use as an access point downstairs.

I have connected the main router to router 2 via an Ethernet cable, changed the channel to 1 on main router and 11 on router 2.

Main router has the ip of 192.168.0.1 so changed router 2 to be 0.2 and for both routers I configured the dhcp ip assigning range to be 192.198.0.3-254

both subnet's are 255.255.255.0 - should I increment router 2 to be 255.255.255.1?

When I try connecting to router 2 though I only get 'limited' connectivity

Any ideas where I have gone wrong? I have really very little knowledge of networking, so feel free, if you are able to help to dumb down your response in simple words

Many thanks

Rob

 

[JackMDS]

Did you switch off the DHCP on Router 2?

Using Access Points or Wireless Cable/DSL Routers as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

 

[preme]

Did you switch off the DHCP on Router 2?

Using Access Points or Wireless Cable/DSL Routers as a Switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

I didn't as i was of the understanding that as long as the dhcp was configured to be the same range as the main router that it would be OK? Strangely enough, I connected to router 2 now to turn the DHCP off, but it has connected me to the internet through that, so seems to have worked? Maybe because I connected from the main router to the second one with an IP assigned from the first?

 

[Fardringle]

If both routers have DHCP enabled, they will fight with each other when a device requests an IP address, and will likely give the same addresses to different devices (if they can connect at all). The router that is acting as an access point should not have DHCP enabled.

 

[preme]

Everything is working now but one minor possible problem.

I have 2 routers, one acting as the router/DHCP and the other two with DHCP disabled with static IP of 192.168.0.2 and .3 respectively.

The minor issue I have is, the DHCP pool is configured to assign IP's in the range of .3-254, this was before I installed the third access point.

Trying to getting into the main router, 192.168.0.1 but it will not connect. I'm certain this is correct because I didn't change the IP, when I do an ipconfig it says it the gateway, DHCP is 192.168.0.1.

I can ping it, tried removing the ethernet cables connecting it to the other routers, flushing the dns, release/renew the IP but it will not connect.

Any ideas?

 

[preme]

Scratch that, a simply router reboot fixed that one!

Currently though we have to change connection to the different routers when needed, is it possible to have one generic name that access the strongest signal instead of switching?

 

[Fardringle]

What you are asking for is called seamless roaming, and you need more advanced access points, usually with a central controller, to do it (basic home consumer stuff normally can't do it).

Edit: Ubiquity Unifi access points are the least expensive good quality access points that will accommodate seamless wireless roaming.

 

[preme]

Ah ok thanks - I think this will be fine then.

Cheers for the advice