Options for 2 Routers

[EXCellR8]

I have two Linksys WRT54GL routers with open source firmware. I wanted to know if I could have them work separately, one with DHCP enabled (auto IP's) and one DHCP disabled. The reason I want both options is because I need DHCP for certain WiFi devices (smartphone, tablet, reader etc.) that don't support manual configurations; that need IP assigned from the router.

Originally I wanted to manual assign every device (leaving DHCP off), including computers their own IP but I can't do that on the phones or other devices that require automatic IP for mobility reasons. The problem with full DHCP is that is there is always IP conflict and connectivity problems. I basically want the PC's to have manual configurations and the mobile devices (and possibly a laptop or two) to have automatic/DHCP. Is there a way I can do this so that two routers are working independently on the same network... one assigning IP's (say 192.168.1.1) and one that's not DHCP enabled (192.168.1.2)?

I'm not an expert with networking so any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Lithium381]

sure, have the one that's providing your DHCP plug into the internet modem(or whatever the outbound link is) using the single routed port. Plug the other unit into one of the switch ports on the back of the first unit to one of the switch ports on the back. Make sure you disable NAT/DHCP on the second unit. Give it an appropriate IP.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

The problem with full DHCP is that is there is always IP conflict and connectivity problems. I basically want the PC's to have manual configurations and the mobile devices (and possibly a laptop or two) to have automatic/DHCP.

Static DHCP

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Another option is Repeater Bridge.

 

[EXCellR8]

sure, have the one that's providing your DHCP plug into the internet modem(or whatever the outbound link is) using the single routed port. Plug the other unit into one of the switch ports on the back of the first unit to one of the switch ports on the back. Make sure you disable NAT/DHCP on the second unit. Give it an appropriate IP.

I had them wired up this way before but I think in reverse order... meaning it basically still wouldn't work since the "slave" router was the one with DHCP enabled. This would basically cause any connected clients to pass through it to the router that was hooked up to the modem (no DHCP); therefore once devices that were connected could not obtain IP automatically from the master. I basically had it backward then... oops.

I'm going to give the static DHCP option a shot too so I can reserve a few IP's for the non-mobile systems. Thanks a bunch for the input I think I can work with this now. I'll see if I can get it working this weekend.

 

[EXCellR8]

So I got a little time earlier to try and make this work again, but it's still not quite doing what I want. I'm like 90% there but there's a few things I am not sure what to do with. To make it as simple as possible, here's a list of devices and how I have them configured:

Router A:

Linksys WRT54GL
-open source firmware (tomato)
-SSID is linksysG
-mode is access point
-connected to modem via internet port
-DHCP enabled
-IP is 192.168.1.1

Router B:

Linksys WRT54GL
-open source firmware (dd-wrt)
-SSID is linksysG2
-mode is access point
-connected to Router A via switch port 1
-DHCP not enabled
-IP is 192.168.1.2

*There is actually a third router upstairs working as a client bridge, and connects a few desktop PC's the the rest of the network. Its settings are as follows:

Router C:

Linksys WRT54G
-open source firmware (dd-wrt)
-SSID is linksysG2
-mode is access point
-connected to Router B via wireless
-DHCP not enabled
-IP is 192.168.1.3

My main concern with this setup is that wireless devices such as laptops and tablets can connect to "linksysG2" or Router B and still obtain IP addresses automatically. I assume it's just passing through to router A, which acts as the DHCP server? Is this normal or did I wire something up wrong? My initial thought was just to disable the SSID broadcast for Router B, so that mobile devices couldn't detect it when using automatic configurations.

So I think I'm close to figuring this out, and it seems to be working okay, but there's a few things I'm still uncertain on. Any additional info would be appreciated, thanks again!