Network issues (2 routers).

[de8212]

I'll try and make this quick.

I have had 2 routers in my network for years with almost no issues. One stays in a closet with DHCP on and it is connected to several PC's via cat6. It is also connected to a router in another room via cat6. That router has dhcp turned off and is used to for my laptop and tivo to wirelessly connect to my network.

I just replaced the wireless router the other day. I connected it straight to my PC and manually went into the configuration to change the ip address of the one it was replacing. Also set up security (WPA and passphrase) to be the same as the one it was replacing. And turned DHCP off. To test if I had everything set up correctly I made my tivo manually connect. Worked fine. A few days later I noticed my tivo was no longer connecting. Looking at the status I saw the error of no DHCP server or (something similar). I could literally leave that screen and go back and all of a sudden there was an IP address. Then it was gone again. Signal strength was 79% or 80% so it's not a range issue.

Then I noticed my wireless printer would not work. It has an ip address of 169.254.xxx.xx so I know it's a DHCP issue.

Can I just enable DHCP on the wireless router? Why was it working flawlessly before and now it's not?

So, I took the new router, reset it and connected it straight up to my laptop to configure it again. I connect to it fine. Disconnected it and placed it back in the other room, connected it back to cat6 and can't even connect.

BTW I flashed the router to the newest firmware.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[JackMDS]

You can Not have two DHCP servers on the same Network.

Try to plug in the laptop into the Wireless Router while it is connected as it should to main Router to rule out Wireless problem.

In case you forgot something.

Using a Wireless Router as a switch with an Access Point - http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

😎

 

[cpals]

You pretty much want to turn your router into an AP... I don't know what kind of routers you are using, but with DD-WRT I'm sure you could do it.

Something like this: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Access_Point

 

[RadiclDreamer]

You could always statically address your network, its a home network so 5-10 devices tops,.

 

[USMC55]

I would second this. This will be the easiest and most reliable.

 

[Emulex]

always static the home machines. when your router blows and reverts to factory wide open your neighbors will not be able to see your gay pr0n pics on an open wifi.