Using 2d WRT54G as a wired & wireless access point??

[bigusmfan]

OOO> = wireless
-----> = wired
-O-O-O> = both

Current config:

Cable modem -------> Linksys WRT54G router 1 -----> (powerline) Linksys WRT54G router 2
Router 2 -----> Tivo & Xbox
Router 2 OOO> laptop
My objective is to use router 2 downstairs to act a switch for Tivo & xbox. Router 2 should also function as a signal booster for the wireless signal to provide better coverage and allow file/printer sharing over home network.

I had previously set these up and managed to enable the above functions without installing a new firmware. Even was using slingbox to view upstairs TV on laptop. We had to move all furniture out of downstairs for over a week. When router 2 was reconnected, laptop suddenly started dropping internet and would not see shared files when connected to router 2.

I jumped the gun and did a hard reset on router 2 thinking I could guess my way back to where it was. No luck.

I haven't posted here since the new vbb changeover so I'm signed up as a total newb. Truth is I was just long time member newb beforehand. Any help is appreciated.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Check VERY CAREFULLY for compatibility with your WRT#2 HARDWARE/SOFTWARE REVISION and a specific VERSION of DD-WRT.
Usually the exact instructions you need and exact version you need differs critically depending on what REVISION your current hardware/software is on WRT#2.

Reflash WRT#2 to the appropriate DD-WRT version following all the instructions.

Place WRT#2 into either BRIDGE mode or CLIENT mode connecting to WRT#1.
Then any devices that are wired into WRT#2 or which wirelessly connect to WRT#2 will actually have connectivity through WRT#1 via the link you set up between WRT#2 and WRT#1.

Optionally reflash WRT#1 (keeping in mind it may have a DIFFERENT version compatibility) to DD-WRT to get more DD-WRT goodness / features for both.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

 

[Madwand1]

Any chance you switched ports during the move? You should only use the LAN ports on the second router. And as you did a hard reset, you probably need to apply some configuration changes again.

Jack has a guide on it here: http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Another possibility is that something's interfering with the powerline network -- you could check this in part by using the powerline network without the second router.

QuixoticOne was suggesting wireless bridging. This is cool, but unnecessary if the powerline networking is working well.

 

[bigusmfan]

Thanks for the suggestions. I checked and Router 2 is a v1.1 so that's good news if I want to flash to a DD-WRT. At this point, the adventurous side of me is wanting to try playing with the new firmware so that's probably what I'll do this weekend. The powerline connection works fine when plugged into the Tivo directly so I don't think that is a problem.

Thanks for the links and the input. I'll close the loop here once I've had a chance to try to set it up.