[SOLVED] Two routers, 1 Windows?

Hi everyone,
I am considering doing a little upgrading with my wireless network. At the moment, we have a perfectly good 54mbps Belkin router, but with 2 storage devices, 2 printers, a Squeezbox, 1 iPhone, 4 laptops and 2 computers. Yeah, it gets a little overloaded. As a result, downloads and online games cut out at irritating points
So if I bought a separate router, what would be the best way to configure it, and could I still access the storage devices/printers on the other network?

If this were a wired network, i'd use a switch/hub. Since it's wireless... For best results connect the new router to the old by wire (may need to be crossover cabling if ports don't auto). Leave only one of the routers to handle DHCP, or turn it off entirely and assign IP's manually. Don't use them both to DHCP. Most routers have an option for bridged mode.

Hello scythus,

Yes as Core said, Disable DHCP as that will spell disaster with two DHCP routers,unless of course you setup different subnets. Additionally, you will need to put one of them in bridge mode.

So just check with manufacturer make sure no conflicts with brands like cisco and netgear as such, might be best with the same brands.

thanks again,

John
Microsoft Windows Client Support.

So plug new router into old router, set it it to not DHCP, and assign all IP addresses on that router manually? Am I right?

I think it is bad idea to use a 2nd router. You don't need it and in fact, you really will not be using the second router.

Understand the sole purpose of a router is to connect/isolate two networks. There is only 1 input and 1 output on a router! The 4 Ethernet ports you typically see on routers is really a discrete independent network device - a simple 4-port Ethernet switch that just happens to be built into the same box as the router.

So Core has the correct solution - get a good switch.

Wow, you've lost me there, I need to ask a few questions....
So my router is supporting 14 devices (forgot to mention the Wii and two DSs), only 3 of these are wired into the four Ethernet ports on the back. All the others are wireless. Things regularly cut out and the router over heats, so how do I not need it?
What I call my router looks like this:
and calls itself a Belkin wireless ADSL modem router.
I'm not getting the 1 input/1 output thing... I'm no software engineer, but I thought wireless internet and TCP/IP worked in two directions...
And what's a switch?

From About.com

Definition: A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together within one local area network (LAN). Technically, network switches operate at layer two (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model. Network switches appear nearly identical to network hubs, but a switch generally contains more intelligence (and a slightly higher price tag) than a hub. Unlike hubs, network switches are capable of inspecting data packets as they are received, determining the source and destination device of each packet, and forwarding them appropriately. By delivering messages only to the connected device intended, a network switch conserves network bandwidth and offers generally better performance than a hub.

As with hubs, Ethernet implementations of network switches are the most common. Mainstream Ethernet network switches support either 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) standards.

Different models of network switches support differing numbers of connected devices. Most consumer-grade network switches provide either four or eight connections for Ethernet devices. Switches can be connected to each other, a so-called daisy chaining method to add progressively larger number of devices to a LAN.

Here's a Belkin 5-Port Switch:




Overview

Ideal for dial-up Internet connections, these Switches provide the backbone for sharing e-mail, printers, files, multiplayer games, and hard drives. One computer connects to the modem and the Switch, to become the Internet access point for all your connected computers. Using Internet Connection Sharing Software, you can now share your dial-up Internet access with up to four additional computers-seven for the 8-Port Network Switch. Expanding your network is easy-simply add more Switches through the featured uplink port

http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPa...uct_Id=136528#

So I add the switch to one of the Ethernet ports on my modem/router thingy, and it provides an extra 5 slots, without putting any extra strain on the existing router?

I did not say you don't need a router, I said you don't need two routers.

This is hardware, not software!

Your Belkin Wireless ADSL Modem Router is really several devices integrated into one box.

1. A router - which connects your network to the gateway device
2. A 4-port Ethernet switch used to connect 4 Ethernet devices (which could be PCs, switches, hubs, print servers, etc.
3. A Wireless Access Point (WAP) used to connect your wireless devices to your network
4. A gateway device - the device that connects your network to the Internet, in this case, your ADSL modem.

4 separate devices, integrated onto one circuit board and stuffed in one box - to save space and money. Similar to a stereo "receiver". The receiver is really 3 separate devices on one chassis in one case; the preamp used for input selection, the tuner to pick up radio stations, and the amplifier section to power the speakers.

Thats correct.

The setup here is a modem/router, two network switches, and a Wireless Acess Point.