What's new
Carbonite

South Africa's Top Online Tech Classifieds!
Register a free account today to become a member! (No Under 18's)
Home of C.U.D.

Help with bridging/extending home networks

DarrynB

Epic Member
Rating - 100%
84   0   0
Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
1,886
Reaction score
33
Points
3,115
Location
JHB
I'm having a bit of trouble bridging 2 networks in my house - I'm hoping someone with more knowledge/skill than me can please assist in resolving?

Network 1:
* TP-Link Archer D7 located in office on one side of the house.
* Operating in "wireless router mode".
* Internal IP: 192.168.1.1, DHCP server - range .10-.254
* Ethernet/WAN to Fibre CPE.
* Ethernet/LAN #1 to Network 2.
* Ethernet/LAN #2 to Main/Office PC.
* Ethernet/LAN #3 to media box and Xbox (shared) in Main Bedroom.
* 2/5 WiFi

Network 2:
* TP-Link Archer D5 located in lounge on the other side of the house (~20m away from Network 1).
* Operating in "wireless router mode".
* Internal IP: 192.168.1.2, DHCP relay to 192.168.1.1
* Ethernet/LAN #1 to Network 1.
* Ethernet/LAN #2 to Media PC.
* Ethernet/LAN #3 to Xbox/TV.
* WAN open
* 2/5 WiFi (same credentials as Network 1)

The gist is that it's currently working albeit not ideally as Network 2 doesn't show an internet connection (even though Network 1 devices - E.g. Media PC, Xbox - can access the internet just fine) and doesn't seem to be handing out WiFi connections. The devices on Network 1 and Network 2 can also all access each other, so I assume the D5 (Network 2) is just routing everything on Network 2 to Network 1?

I ideally want the router on Network 2 (D5) to act as a WiFi extender for that side of the house and also connect devices on Network 2 to Network 1 and vice-versa.

If I connect Network 2 to Network 1 via the WAN port then it shows an active internet connection (via WAN dynamic IP) and connects WiFi devices, but obviously on a separate network (auto-assigned 192.168.0.1) so Network 1 and 2 devices can no longer access each other as they're effectively now separate networks.

I assume I should statically route Network 2 (192.168.0.1) traffic to Network 1 (192.168.1.1) (and vice-versa) but I'm not quite sure how to do that? Or is this not the correct route to take?

Would really appreciate some assistance with this please :)
 
Last edited:
I haven't had a TP-Link in a couple of years but I'm sure I remember my D2 having an AP mode, that's basically what you want.
 
I haven't had a TP-Link in a couple of years but I'm sure I remember my D2 having an AP mode, that's basically what you want.
They both have either "DSL Modem" or "Wireless Router" modes. Both routers are set to "Wireless Router" (effectively AP I think?). Have updated the OP to reflect as such. Thanks dude.
 
You have connected the devices LAN to LAN... So KILL the DHCP on one of them, you can not have two DHCP servers on one LAN.
 
does the "DHCP Relay" mean you turned it off?
Effectively yes. The primary router (on network 1) is still issuing IPs (proxied/relayed on router 2) so that's all good. The only issue is that network/router 2 doesn't seem to be connecting WiFi devices? That's pretty much the only issue as devices on both networks can interact, which is exactly what I want. Just want network 2 to also extend WiFi range which it doesn't seem to be doing?
 
Effectively yes. The primary router (on network 1) is still issuing IPs (proxied/relayed on router 2) so that's all good. The only issue is that network/router 2 doesn't seem to be connecting WiFi devices? That's pretty much the only issue as devices on both networks can interact, which is exactly what I want. Just want network 2 to also extend WiFi range which it doesn't seem to be doing?

No... They are on the SAME LAN segment, so any device requesting a response from a DHCP server will get responses from both the primary and from the relay. Disable the relay.

Also, WiFi doesn't like two access points with the same APN within range of each other (there are managed exceptions, but this is not a managed setup) so first test everything with the WiFi APNs different (most mobile devices should be able to store credentials for more than one AP).
 
No... They are on the SAME LAN segment, so any device requesting a response from a DHCP server will get responses from both the primary and from the relay. Disable the relay.

Also, WiFi doesn't like two access points with the same APN within range of each other (there are managed exceptions, but this is not a managed setup) so first test everything with the WiFi APNs different (most mobile devices should be able to store credentials for more than one AP).
OK great, thank you for the advice. I've switched DHCP off on router 2 and changed the SSIDs. Appreciate the help!
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom