2 routers - wrong one is "master"

rockyp

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I have two wireless routers in order to reach all parts of my home/office. Call them R1 and R2. R1 is the one integrated with my modem, and the one that reaches most of my home. R2 is quite a ways away, and reaches remote parts of my home. In my normal operations, my PC connects to R1 because its signal is stronger.

If I am logged in to R1, I do get a stronger signal, but can't "see" the other network computers in File Explorer. If I log in to R2, all PCs on the network are visible, and file sharing, network printing, backups, etc. work as expected. Apparently, R2 is the "master" in my network. (R1, however, is the DHCP server...)

How can I change that so R1 becomes the "master"? :think:
 

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You need to turn off DHCP on the secondary router. Also, the first router or switch needs to plug into the LAN port on the secondary router, don't use the WAN or Internet port on the secondary router.

The way you have it now there are most likely two different subnets which is why you can't see the other machines.
 

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You really need Access Points to cover the rest of the home, not another router. Netgear, TP-Link, D-Link make Power plug in units, that use the Electrical wiring for communicating between the units to the main router. There are also POE (Power Over Ethernet) units. That look like Smoke detectors, that go up on your ceiling or wall. You can get those for the same price as a router these days.
 

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Thanks, Chev, for the suggestions. My setup already is the way you suggested...

Broe, I do have a couple of extra Ethernet over power lines devices here - I'll see if they will help.

I appreciate all ideas and the time you give in posting answers!

I expect that when I remove the second router, the primary one will pick up the ball and run with it. Thanks again.
 

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You might want to check that the modem isn't one of those so called modem/router combo units.

If it is then you would need to use the bridge setting on the modem in order to bypass it's own DHCP router.

Other than that it's impossible for this issue to occur if DHCP is turned off on the secondary router and the Ethernet cables between the routers are using the LAN port, LAN port to LAN port.
 

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Router with DHCP turned off and used as a Wireless Access point will work for a temp fix. Depending on the model of the router. You may be able to load DD-WRT on it, and turn it into a true Access Point. The Engenius smoke style units come with a POE Injector for around $88.

I have a Engenius ECB-350 with a POE Injector plugged in downstairs on my UPS backup. It will cover the whole house and up to a 1/2 mile away if I crank it up to 29dBm for power. Mainly use it for main WiFi. I have a Trendnet TEW-638APB for Wireless-B/G devices. That one will cover my garage that is around 50' away from the house with no issues.

Post the model numbers and manufacturer info on the hardware. I keep a set of wired EOP units for when I need to work out in my garage on the camera out there. I can get at least 138mbps between the house & garage with them.
 

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    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
R1 is a Qwest Actiontec Q1000 modem/router combo device. R2 is a D-Link DIR-655.

I do have a variety of other routers. Maybe if I removed the D-Link and put another one in there, the network would reconfigure itself to meet my desires...? Worth a try.
 

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R1 is a Qwest Actiontec Q1000 modem/router combo device. R2 is a D-Link DIR-655.

I do have a variety of other routers. Maybe if I removed the D-Link and put another one in there, the network would reconfigure itself to meet my desires...? Worth a try.
No it would not. The only way that the network would reconfigure itself is with human intervention.

With having the Gateway from your provider and placing a Router behind it. You run into a lot of issues. If you just want to use the router as an Access Point. Then load said router with DD-WRT and turn it into a true Access Point. You would need a wired connection between the Gateway and the "Access Point". So that any devices connected to the A/P can have Network & Internet access.
 

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    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
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    Realtek HD
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    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
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    Logitech M525
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    None needed. It is Linux.
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    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
Thanks, broe. I appreciate your help. But, if I replace the D-Link (R2) with an Access Point, will it still then require human intervention to reconfigure? In other words, what is going to trigger that? Your first paragraph makes it sound like I'm in a hole.
 

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Yes you have to configure an access point. But it is not a router, which the Gateway is. I really have no problem with you wanting to re-use an old router as an Access Point. You really need to look at DD-WRT to see if it will work with that D-Link and install the firmware.

You will not only have an Access Point. But you would also get a 5-port switch in the process.
 

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    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
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    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
R1 is a Qwest Actiontec Q1000 modem/router combo device. R2 is a D-Link DIR-655.

I do have a variety of other routers. Maybe if I removed the D-Link and put another one in there, the network would reconfigure itself to meet my desires...? Worth a try.

Ridiculous to think you would need DD-WRT just to use the DIR-655 as an A/P, I have the same router as my gateway, best router you can purchase IMO this router is legendary. There are no issues using it as an A/P, NONE!

There is absolutely no need to install anything but the default firmware on this router. It can be used as an A/P but it should be used as the gateway router for it's superior networking capabilities. Maybe it's best to hear advice from someone who actually owns this router?

The problem here is as I already said and it's very simple, the combo unit modem/router needs to have it's DHCP turned off.

You are using one of those cheap ISP issued combo units modem/router so you need to TURN OFF it's DHCP capability by setting it into BRIDGE MODE which bypasses the DHCP router of the combo device. I wonder how many times I need to repeat this. :sarc:

After that the first router will handle the DHCP provided that you turned off DHCP on the 655 which will work perfectly as an access point.

No reason to complicate this although you would be far better served using a standard modem rather than a combo unit.
 

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The problem here is as I already said and it's very simple, the combo unit modem/router needs to have it's DHCP turned off.

You are using one of those cheap ISP issued combo units modem/router so you need to TURN OFF it's DHCP capability by setting it into BRIDGE MODE which bypasses the DHCP router of the combo device. I wonder how many times I need to repeat this. :sarc:

I think it's sinking in, chev! :doh:

I'm working on the whole network now, trying to implement some long-wanted improvements. I'll report back with my success stories! (Or otherwise... :( ) Thanks again for all the help here!!

Rocky
 

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The problem here is as I already said and it's very simple, the combo unit modem/router needs to have it's DHCP turned off.

You are using one of those cheap ISP issued combo units modem/router so you need to TURN OFF it's DHCP capability by setting it into BRIDGE MODE which bypasses the DHCP router of the combo device. I wonder how many times I need to repeat this. :sarc:

I think it's sinking in, chev! :doh:

I'm working on the whole network now, trying to implement some long-wanted improvements. I'll report back with my success stories! (Or otherwise... :( ) Thanks again for all the help here!!

Rocky

Well the easy way would be to ditch the modem/router combo unit which are notorious problem creators for any reliable network.

But if you use the combo unit then you should see a bridge mode there in the settings someplace which needs to be enabled, this skips DHCP and allows your router to handle it.

The 655 will work fine as an A/P provided that DHCP is turned off and the LAN port is plugged into the LAN port on the first router, LAN to LAN. You can still use the other LAN ports on both routers for other devices.
 

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Chev, most ADSL2+ & VDSL2+ providers. You cannot get away but using their Gateway. You also cannot disable DHCP. Only thing you can do is place a third party router in DMZ Plus mode.
 

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    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
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    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
This Actiontec from Century Link does allow disabling DHCP, and of course, I can turn off wireless... I'm not crazy about Century Link, but it's what I have, for now... It is adequate.
 

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This Actiontec from Century Link does allow disabling DHCP, and of course, I can turn off wireless... I'm not crazy about Century Link, but it's what I have, for now... It is adequate.

There are no hard set rules here and I have no idea the capability's of every ISP issued modem/router. There are a million different versions of these!

It's certain that you can in fact DISABLE DHCP on many of these units by placing it in bridge mode, this is fact not fiction OK,. How do I know this? Because I've helped solve this same problem literally hundreds of times, and the vast majority of times you can in fact disable DHCP by placing the unit into bride mode....:sarc:

Then I went on to add you should GET RID OF THE ISP ISSUED unit "I have already mentioned this" !! because you can't hope to set up a proper network using one of those.

It's simple, if you can't access this unit to turn off DHCP then you will need to purchase a stand alone modem, and tell your ISP TO SHOVE THE MODEM/ROUTER WHERE THEY CAN'T FIND IT...period!

So you see the ISP issued hardware, IS NOT ADAQUATE for this.

I'm trying to think of a way I can make this any more clear to everyone?
 

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Chev65, the OP cannot get rid of the ISP Gateway. They have to use it with Century Link. Century Link is doing the same thing as ATT does with their U-Verse service. Century Link is a IPTV provider and users have no choice but to use the equipment that only Century Link provides.

There is no way that the OP can place the unit into Bridge mode. Their only choice is to place a third party router into the Gateway's DMZ Plus Zone.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Mint 17.2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite C850D-st3nx1
    CPU
    AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 1.40 GHZ
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon™ HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M500 240GB SSD
    Mouse
    Logitech M525
    Internet Speed
    45/6 - ATT U-Verse
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    None needed. It is Linux.
    Other Info
    Arris NVG589 Gateway; Router - Cisco RV320; Switch - Netgear GS108 8-Port Switch & Trendnet TEG-S50g 5-Port Switch; Access Points - Engenius ECB350, Trendnet TEW-638APB; NAS - Lenovo ix2-4; Printer - Brother HL-2280DW; Air Print Server - Lantronix XPrintServer

    A/V UPS - Tripp-Lite Smart 1500LCD 1500 Va/900 W.
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