How to connect two wireless routers

[gregoryvg]

Hi everyone,

I need to expand my home network. I currently have a single 4-port Belking Wireless N router. We are going to need to expand our number of ports (getting an PS3 and a Laptop PC and a networked Blu Ray player for Xmas) and I figured the best way to do this would be to buy a second router and somehow connect them.

In conjunction with just trying to connect two routers (I will be getting another Belkin, though maybe not the exact one, WalMart has a Belkin N for $44.99 but mine has two antenae's while the one at WM only has one) I would like to place them in different rooms if possible. The current router is downstairs in my den, and I want to install the second router upstairs in the bedroom as our Blu Ray is not wireless and needs a direct Cat 5 connection. So, it there a way I can "connect" the two routers wirelessly so I can connect my Blu Ray player directly into Router #2? OR is there a better idea out there that I am not thinking about??????

Let me know if you need me to explain anything in more detail - thanks

Greg

 

[bobdole369]

All you need is a switch to increase the number of ports (wired).

Wirelessly - you need whats known as a "bridge". They've been doing this for years, but typically are manufacturer and model dependent.

You will need an "Access Point" and a "Bridge", + switch. Or you will need 2 identical (ideally - never had it work without them being identical) - wireless access points and they should support "WDS", which will extend the network wirelessly.

Surprisingly (to me at least) the simplest devices that really do just work like this - are the Apple Airports. Next in line are the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54's. Next I suppose anything with DD-WRT is a good choice.

 

[JackMDS]

The number of Antennae is meaningless.

What you have to find is whether the Router that you intend to buy can act as a Client Wireless Bridge. Very few Routers can, some can if they are compatible to Flash with 3rd firmware.
Look at this page you will see the list of DD-WRT compatible Routers.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation

This is one of the best, Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

This is the configuration after flashing, http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Bridge
.

 

[lopri]

a networked Blu Ray player for Xmas

Didn't know that's possible? What is it?

 

[NesuD]

Look at powerline networking. The devices are widely available (Newegg) and work pretty well. I would avoind putting that Blu ray through a very complex home network. I have read of cases where some don't like going through to many devices to get out.

 

[ultimatebob]

Didn't know that's possible? What is it?

Most of the new BluRay players are Ethernet enabled, which is a requirement for BDLive to work properly. A lot of them have built-in YouTube and Netflix streaming as well, but most of them still do not come with built in WiFi.

My hunch is that these client wireless bridges built from cheap routers running DD-WRT are going to get more popular, considering that they cost less than the proprietary WiFi to Ethernet dongles that people are selling for this.

 

[xSauronx]

Didn't know that's possible? What is it?

its an abbreviation used by some for "Christmas" which is a popular holiday celebrated around the world on December the 25th, but thats not important right now

/had to

 

[gregoryvg]

I'm dissapointed that you can't hook a USB Wireless NIC into the USB port - that would make it so much easier to hook up. Why don't they build it in to let you do that? My Panasonic player has a USB out port.

 

[JackMDS]

It is Not a matter of a port it a matter of additional circuitry that would make the device more expensive, http://www.ezlan.net/faq#usb
.

 

[ultimatebob]

I heard that all the cool kids are using the Tomato firmware now. That's what I used on my wireless bridge setup.

 

[JackMDS]

I heard that all the cool kids are using the Tomato firmware now. That's what I used on my wireless bridge setup.

Yap, that what they told me in EE school. Sc**w thechnoligal knowledge, the right thing to do is what the "Cool Kids" do. ()

 

[Wuzup101]

WHR-HP-G54 with aftermarket (DD-WRT) firmware will do exactly what you want. Setup is pretty easy if you can read instructions (to flash the router), and it would give you the benefit of having 4 additional ports for hardwired devices at a location of your choosing.

 

[ultimatebob]

Yap, that what they told me in EE school. Sc**w thechnoligal knowledge, the right thing to do is what the "Cool Kids" do. ()

Nothing wrong with DD-WRT... it just seems like overkill just to build a wireless bridge. Building one with Tomato seems easier.