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Two wifi routers on network and can't see network from one

Pghpooh

Pghpooh

Senior member
HI
Looking for some help for a minor problem.
This is how my so called network is set up.
I have Verizon FIOS for my internet provider and for cable tv service.
Here is how I have my network wired
Verizon ONT
Coax from the ONT to a Actiontec modem/wifi router.

Cat 6 wire (75 foot run from one part of the house to another part of the house) from port 1 of the Actiontec to the ?INTERNET? port of a Linksys wrtg54 router.

Port 1 of the Linksys to the NIC card of my desktop.

When I use my laptop in wireless wifi mode I can access both the Actiontec and Linksys units and both run well for me.

The problem is when I want to look at files on the desktop.

When I am connected to the Linksys unit with my laptop I can access all the files on my desktop. (The Linksys unit is closest to the desktop pc)

When I try to access files using the Actiontec router I can?t see any files or even see anything on the network beyond the Actiontec.

Are there changes I can make so I can use both the Actiontec and Linksys to access the desktop?

The actiontec address is 192.168.1.1
The Linksys is 192.168.2.1

I use two wifi routers because I have them and was able to make it work this way. (it was a rainy day challenge to see if I could do it)
It would be nice to be able to access the files from both but if I can?t I will just switch between routers.
 
RebateMonger
Do you mean the Linksys router?
Duh!!! I think you do mean the Linksys unit since I am not using it on the Actiontec unit!!!
I think the bright sunshine and temps in the high 60s here in Pittsburgh messed up my thinking! LOL
Thanks
 
Originally posted by: Pghpooh
RebateMonger
Do you mean the Linksys router?
Click to expand...
Yes, in your case, the Linksys router is the problem.

Remember what a SOHO router does. It ISOLATES your local network from the Internet. It does the same thing in your home.

Anything that's plugged into the "WAN (Internet)" port of a router will NOT be able to talk to anything plugged into the LAN ports of the router. Computers attached to the LAN ports, on the other hand, can freely talk to PCs attached to the WAN (Internet) side.

The standard way to use a secondary router within a home network is to:
1) Turn off the router's DHCP server.
2) Connect the LAN ports to the other router's LAN port and to the rest of the PCs on the network.
3) Do not connect anything to the WAN (Internet) side of the secondary router. Anything you connect there won't be able to talk to PCs on the other side of the router.
 
As Rebatemonger said, on the linksys router, uplink it to the actiontec with the LAN side (Do NOT use the WAN port on the linksys) and turn off DHCP (this will leave the actiontec as the DHCP server) Although with this setup I am wondering why your even using the Linksys router? If you just want to use the linksys and not the actiontec, turn off the wireless on the actiontec and then leave it setup as you had it with the WAN port connecting to the actiontec and only connect to the linksys. Only advantage to using both routers is if you have them on opposite sides of your house and set to the same SSID & Encryption mode/key which will effectively expand your wireless coverage (you can choose different SSID's but then the clients will have to also be setup to use both SSID's
 
Originally posted by: kevnich2
If you just want to use the linksys and not the actiontec, turn off the wireless on the actiontec and then leave it setup as you had it with the WAN port connecting to the actiontec and only connect to the linksys.
Click to expand...
But then you are double-NATing. This sometimes works with SOHO routers, and sometimes not. It can cause problems accessing SSL sites, especially, and is best avoided unless you are doing it for a good reason.

You could always turn off the ActionTec's routing function, too, but doing that isn't a great idea for someone new to networking.
 
Originally posted by: RebateMonger
Originally posted by: kevnich2
If you just want to use the linksys and not the actiontec, turn off the wireless on the actiontec and then leave it setup as you had it with the WAN port connecting to the actiontec and only connect to the linksys.
Click to expand...
But then you are double-NATing. This sometimes works with SOHO routers, and sometimes not. It can cause problems accessing SSL sites, especially, and is best avoided unless you are doing it for a good reason.

You could always turn off the ActionTec's routing function, too, but doing that isn't a great idea for someone new to networking.
Click to expand...

Yes you are right about that, I've seen this work most of the time as long as the person isn't wanting to do any port forwarding. But yes, the OP can also just turn on the bridging function in the actiontec and be done with it. Since the OP has internet coming in via coax, he's pretty much stuck with the actiontec.

I guess it pretty much depends on what the OP wants to use and for what reasons. Do you want to just use the linksys or use the actiontec along with the linksys to expand your wireless?
 
HI
I apologize for being slow to reply to your posts and help.
We had a visit from a nasty 24 hour viral bug and everyone was fighting to see who could use the porta-john for two days! LOLOL
My reason for wanting to set up this network was to see if I could do it. ( a challenge) And I was given the Linksys unit and I hate to see equipment sit around not being used. Another reason for two wireless units was to make sure I had good wifi coverage in the house. Also there are times when there will be two or three laptops running when my kids are here.
Another reason for posting is I?ve become the family computer fixer. When someone?s pc burps I get the call. Nieces, nephews, and grand kids all call me and I come here to AnandTech for help! LOL
I will follow the suggestions posted here and see what works best.
Thanks for your time and help.
And,, a Happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year to all
Pghpooh
 
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