Network questions. New router

[de8212]

I bought a Netgear WNDR4500 to replace the POS Linksys E1000 yesterday. Set up was simple and everything is working as it was before.

I do have some questions about some things. The way my network is wired, I have a Linksys router (forget the model #) connected to my modem in a closet. From there the Linksys router connects to several different rooms, etc. One drop goes into the living room (center of house) and that's where the Netgear router comes into play. The ethernet cable is connected into one of the regular ports and DHCP is off. Security is also set up.

With that said, what is the Netgear considered? An access point, bridge, etc?????

With the way I have it wired, nothing is in the "Internet" port so I can't use the guest account. Well, I can see them and connect ot them but no internet. Besides using this new router as my main (in the closet) is thers any way to enable the guest accounts?

Regarding the 5GHz and 2.4GHz, when I go to connect my tivo, wireless printer, etc. which one should I use? Does the 5GHz simply mean faster speed? If that's the case I don't think it would matter because nothing really needs fast speeds except maybe my laptop.
Thanks for any answers.

 

[JackMDS]

The way it is connected it is considered an Access Point (make also sure that the core IP of it is of the subnet of the main Router).

If the a Device can see the 5GHz then connect to it. If it does not see the 5GHz. it means that client device is Not dual radio and you do not have the 5GHz option.

 

[de8212]

The way it is connected it is considered an Access Point (make also sure that the core IP of it is of the subnet of the main Router).

If the a Device can see the 5GHz then connect to it. If it does not see the 5GHz. it means that client device is Not dual radio and you do not have the 5GHz option.

Thanks. Can you elaborate on the bolded part?

 

[dclive]

He means if your router is 192.168.1.X range, X being 1 to 255, then this access point should have an IP somewhere between that range. Don't put it on, for example, 192.168.2.X network.

And keep track of your routers and their IP addresses.

 

[de8212]

The main router is 192.168.111.1 and the new router is 192.168.111.2, for example.

 

[gsaldivar]

The main router is 192.168.111.1 and the new router is 192.168.111.2, for example.

Perfect.

I would disable DHCP on the second router (I see you did that already), and disable uPnP on both routers. Additionally, I would set the gateway of the second router to point to the first. In your example, gateway for router 2 would be 192.168.111.1

Nothing should be plugged into the WAN port of the second router. If your router has dual radios, you might see 2.4ghz and 5ghz as separate access points. This is fine. While 5Ghz is faster, depending on your building's construction (wood, glass, masontry, etc) frequencies will penetrate at different rates, causing differences in reception on the receiver side. 2.4ghz may be more populated depending on your neighbors, it is also more susceptible to interference from a variety of non-computer electronic devices. So, I would suggest using whatever frequency gives the best reception at any given moment.

Good luck!

 

[de8212]

So, if I do what you said, how would i solve my issue?? I believe (and I could be very wrong) that disabling DHCP on the Netgear router as well as nothing being connected to the Internet port is the reason I can't utilize some of the features.

I'm not saying your're wrong, I'm just making sure I understand exactly how that will resolve my original issue.

 

[dclive]

Perfect.

I would disable DHCP on the second router (I see you did that already), and disable uPnP on both routers. Additionally, I would set the gateway of the second router to point to the first. In your example, gateway for router 2 would be 192.168.111.1

Gateway settings don't matter; he isn't using router #2 for routing. Cabling should be connected to the LAN ports on both router #1 and router #2 and that will make router #2 into a simple switch / access point.

 

[dclive]

So, if I do what you said, how would i solve my issue?? I believe (and I could be very wrong) that disabling DHCP on the Netgear router as well as nothing being connected to the Internet port is the reason I can't utilize some of the features.

I'm not saying your're wrong, I'm just making sure I understand exactly how that will resolve my original issue.

What do you mean you "can't utilize some of the features" ? Your Netgear (aka router #2, which is now a switch / AP) is sharing your wireless connection and is providing a few ethernet ports too; what else do you want it to do?

 

[de8212]

What do you mean you "can't utilize some of the features" ? Your Netgear (aka router #2, which is now a switch / AP) is sharing your wireless connection and is providing a few ethernet ports too; what else do you want it to do?

In my original post.

With the way I have it wired, nothing is in the "Internet" port so I can't use the guest account. Well, I can see them and connect ot them but no internet. Besides using this new router as my main (in the closet) is thers any way to enable the guest accounts?

Maybe I'm wording it wrong ro something. But the Netgear shows that it has no internet connectivity (but it clearly does). I think it just says that because it doesn't sense anything in the Internet port. So the guest account and things like it searching for newer firmware don't work.

 

[dclive]

In my original post.

With the way I have it wired, nothing is in the "Internet" port so I can't use the guest account. Well, I can see them and connect ot them but no internet. Besides using this new router as my main (in the closet) is thers any way to enable the guest accounts?

Maybe I'm wording it wrong ro something. But the Netgear shows that it has no internet connectivity (but it clearly does). I think it just says that because it doesn't sense anything in the Internet port. So the guest account and things like it searching for newer firmware don't work.

Probably because it has nothing attached to the WAN port. Obviously firmware is a nonissue, but the guest network functionality could be an annoyance. You could switch places, and make this one the primary router and the other router the secondary (ie dumb switch & AP only).....

 

[de8212]

Probably because it has nothing attached to the WAN port. Obviously firmware is a nonissue, but the guest network functionality could be an annoyance. You could switch places, and make this one the primary router and the other router the secondary (ie dumb switch & AP only).....

You may be right but the Firmware upgrade gives me some kind of erro when you tell it to search for new firmware. I think it's also because the internet port is empty.
Switching places would work but I want the "best" router in the center of the house which is why I have it there.

 

[JackMDS]

At this point I am confused.

Do you get the Internet if a computer is connected to a regular port on the 4500?

Your first Router is the Routing agent, it should Router the Internet through a regular port to a regular port the 4500.

The 4500 is used as a switch with an Access Point, the Guest account is part of the Access Point iof it does not work then you did not configured corretly the 4500.

All computers on the Network (wire, or wireless) should get their IP from the first Router, thus the DNS and gateway have to be pointing to the core IP of the first Router.

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

 

[de8212]

Jack - Sorry about the confusion but I appreciate everyone trying to help me understand.

I have not tried to physically connect a cable and access the internet. If it would be helpful I can do that. My laptop works fine wirelessly through the netgear so I can't imagine a wired connection not working??

There's really nothing to configure as far as the guest account except for enabling it and setting a passphrase. I did those things and see it in my list. I can connect to it perfectly fine but it says it has No Internet Access after I connect.

Here's a shot of the main screen when I connect to the Netgear.

See, it says it has no internet. I can only imagine this is because nothing is connected to the internet port.