using wireless router to extend existing wireless network

[commonplace]

I currently have an MR814 router up and running, using both wired ports and the wireless feature to network multiple computers. I recently purchased a second Netgear MR814 wireless router, in order to extend my existing wireless network. I'm trying to use this new, second MR814 router to extend that existing network, but I can't seem to get it working. How, exactly, do I need to configure the two routers in order to make this work?

The cable Internet connection hooks into the first router. The first router acts as an internal DHCP server for my Windows machines (wired) and laptops (wireless). I need the second wireless router to use the first router in order to gain access to the Internet. Also, I'm using 128 WEP security on the first router.

What do I do?

 

[JackMDS]

Two Wireless Cable/DSL Routers can not talk one to the other.

To use them both together you need to connect them with one crossover CAT5 wire.

Link: How do I use a Wireless Cable/DSL Router as a Switch with an Access Point?

If you need to maintain the connection totally Wireless you will need Bridging Wireless Hardware.

What you need depends on the distance and the terrain.

Link: Wireless Network - Configuration Modes.

 

[ryandmiller]

Why don't you just purchase a stronger antenna?

 

[commonplace]

Do you know where I can purchase one? A stronger antenna would definitely solve my problems. Hopefully they're cheap, too -- the wireless router was only $20 AR. Thanks for your help.

/Kevin

 

[ryandmiller]

If you want a good one, you are looking at a cost of around $100

 

[WayneTeK]

how about just geting a repeater or a extender?

 

[commonplace]

That sounds like it would work wonderfully. It almost reaches where I need it -- just not quite. Do you know where I could purchase one?

 

[WayneTeK]

Originally posted by: commonplace
That sounds like it would work wonderfully. It almost reaches where I need it -- just not quite. Do you know where I could purchase one?

www.newegg.com or www.mwave.com or www.tigerdirect.com

 

[Torghn]

The D-link 900AP+ WAP can also act as a wireless repeater.

 

[WayneTeK]

yes it does...

 

[HJB417]

maybe you should read this first.

 

[commonplace]

Thanks a lot for the reference. 🙂 I'm not exactly sure whether it helped me, or just confused me more, but the more information I have, the better! Like the author of the post you referenced, I, too, have Netgear. Netgear's CS did not have any solutions to offer that were wireless -- they just said to use CAT5 to connect my second router to the first one. Unfortunately, that is not possible. So I'm left with either a larger antenna, a repeater, or an AP that can bridge wireless routers. I'm still not sure which is easiest/most likely to work. 🙂