Multiple Router setup help

[IamDavid]

First off, I suck at all things networking. I can understand and manage just about anything IT related but for some reason once networks come into play I get lost..

Problem:
2 wireless router setup "hides" devices connected to the opposite router.
2nd router added due to low signal strength in 2 rooms of the house.


Basic info:
Home Network
Main Router - Linksys WRT-1900 AC
15+ Wired devices ( Tv's/Gaming systems/PC and media boxes)
3 Switches (all Cisco)
Home security system - 8 Camera POE setup.
2nd Wireless Router - Netgear R6300 - (Set in AP mode)



Adding the 2nd router has helped tremendously with wireless coverage so once I figure out the sharing/visibility issue I'll be set.

Many thanks to anyone that can help me out!

 

[nsafreak]

What you'll need to do is to setup the second router so that it is assigning IP addresses on a separate subnet. The clients that connect to it will still use it as a gateway to access the internet but they won't be able to see other clients on the main router. This tutorial should be helpful.

 

[serpretetsky]

What you'll need to do is to setup the second router so that it is assigning IP addresses on a separate subnet. The clients that connect to it will still use it as a gateway to access the internet but they won't be able to see other clients on the main router. This tutorial should be helpful.

Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but one of his problems is that he wants seamless communication across both access points (single network).

OP, if that is the case, you need to disable DHCP server on the second router, and make sure to connect the ethernet cable from the first router's ethernet port into the second router's LAN port (any one of them) NOT THE WAN PORT.

... i just read that you enabled "AP mode". That should have handled everything i typed above, so I'm not sure why some parts of your network are "invisible". You can try setting it up as a regular router and follow my suggestions above, but at this point I'm not really sure.

 

[nsafreak]

Maybe I misunderstood the OP, but one of his problems is that he wants seamless communication across both access points (single network).

OP, if that is the case, you need to disable DHCP server on the second router, and make sure to connect the ethernet cable from the first router's ethernet port into the second router's LAN port (any one of them) NOT THE WAN PORT.

... i just read that you enabled "AP mode". That should have handled everything i typed above, so I'm not sure why some parts of your network are "invisible". You can try setting it up as a regular router and follow my suggestions above, but at this point I'm not really sure.

Yep, I misread the op and thought that's what he wanted. Setting up the secondary router in AP mode should have resolved that issue though. The op might want to make sure that the DHCP server on the secondary router is disabled. By default enabling AP mode should disable the DHCP server on the router but it could be enabled for some odd reason.

 

[JackMDS]

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

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I have an RT-N16 and RT-AC66U working in conjunction like this, and it was a seamless, five minute setup.

But in the past, there's one thing I've missed:

Routers in AP mode usually have to have the link to the other router plugged into a switch port and not the WAN port. Otherwise they go, "hey, you said AP Mode! Screw you, I'mm'a turn DHCP and NAT back on!"

http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/d...t-a-wireless-router-to-access-point-(ap)-mode

Netgear docs say you don't have to do that, but whichever way you have it set, try the other way and see what happens. Documentation can lie.

 

[IamDavid]

Thanks everyone. I tried everyone suggestions and a couple off the Netgear site but couldn't figure it out. Then......... Our power went out... After everything was up and running again its all working great! No clue.. This is why I'll never understand networking.

Thanks again!