This article contains all the information on How To Create A Mesh Network With Two Routers? Do you want to add a few connections at a time, or do you want to do anything more difficult? To expand your network, you can “bridge” a second router that supports WDS with your existing router.
Mesh WiFi systems have made it simpler to link two routers together, but they may still help enhance network connection in large regions. Follow the directions in this article on how to bridge two routers to increase Wi-Fi coverage in your home or office.
How To Create A Mesh Network With Two Routers?
Connect any of the first router’s LAN ports to the second router’s WAN port using an Ethernet wire. You will receive two networks that are different from what you desire. Turn on Access Point mode on the second router or disable the DNS server, as appropriate.
You now have a single Wi-Fi network with increased coverage. Cables have a maximum length of 300 feet. You can put the second router where it will be most useful. The alternative is to buy an access point rather than a router.
That will not provide the extra services that a mesh network provides. The most important one is that your laptop or phone will attempt to hold onto the signal it started with, even if another, stronger signal is present as you go from one side of your home to the other.
A controller in a mesh system will direct the device to a stronger signal. You will need to disconnect from the network and re-connect if there is no mesh. Alternatively, you can use various SSIDs (network names) so you can compare the two signals’ strengths and manually connect to the one with the stronger signal.
Mesh is a convenient option, but to benefit from additional benefits, all nodes must come from the same manufacturer. Mesh is substantially more expensive. Several mesh systems use a cloud-based controller. You will still have a Wi-Fi network even if the manufacturer decides to leave the mesh business, but the mesh’s benefits won’t be available.
How To Connect Two Routers?
Before You Begin
Ensure your second router has “bridge mode” or WDS bridging capability. You can increase the wireless network’s coverage area by setting up two wireless routers in a bridge configuration. A router that doesn’t support bridging (the one that isn’t directly connected to the internet) can’t be used to expand your Wi-Fi network.
You can find information on the router’s bridging mode, WDS, or repeater feature in the user manual. Choose the router that will be the main one. You must attach it to the main router to access the internet. Your primary modem must be a modem/router that your internet service provider provides.
You’ll need an Ethernet wire that is long enough to connect your two routers. Even if you’re utilizing a bridge to create a new wireless access point, you’ll still need to use an Ethernet connection to link your two routers. Some wireless routers can bridge wirelessly in certain circumstances.
However, this is often only possible when both routers are of the same model and brand. It would help if you didn’t go farther than 320 feet when using an Ethernet connection to link two routers. A more extended connection may negatively impact the performance of a network.
Setting Up The First Router
Your primary router should be online. The primary router is typically your internet service provider (ISP) or the built-in router of your modem. Internet connections for routers A router/modem combo would be: Attach the device to the wall’s Ethernet jack using the included network or coaxial cable, then power it on.
In this instance, there are two separate devices: The modem’s network or coaxial jack should be used to connect it to the wall’s internet port. The next step is to attach the modem to the other endpoint of the Ethernet cable. Connect your computer to the main router of the network using an ethernet connection.
Even though your main router has Wi-Fi capabilities, it’s best to use an Ethernet cable while configuring it. The primary router is typically your internet service provider (ISP) or the built-in router of your modem.
The LAN ports on your router will typically be marked with names or numbers, and To link your PC to the network, You need to connect the other side of the Ethernet wire to your computer’s Ethernet port. Access your router’s administration page by logging in.
To do this, launch a web browser such as Edge or Safari, and to access the router, type its IP address into the browser’s address bar like you would any other URL. The IP address of the router is often 10.0.0.1 or 192.168.1.1. However, this might change from router to router. To find your IP address, do the following:
Windows
- Click the Start button to open the Settings gear in the Windows Start menu.
- Next, select Network and Internet.
- Choose the View hardware & connection information
- Option in the right panel.
- Find the IP address that is listed next to “Default Gateway.”
- From the Apple menu bar, choose System Preferences.
- Clicking on the Network emblem will take you to the Network page.
- Click on your Ethernet connection in the left sidebar to access it.
- Select “Advanced” from the drop-down menu at the bottom of the page.
- Find the IP address next to “Router” in TCP/IP and write it down.
You have access to the system as the administrator. You can locate the admin username and password on a sticker attached to your router or in the manual. You can use the following search phrases to find the model number and default administrator password for your router:
Set the DHCP server service to “on.” The DHCP protocol, utilized by most Wi-Fi networks, is used to allocate a device’s IP address. Usually, an IP address range starting at 192.168.1.2 and going all the way to 192.168.1.254 would be randomly assigned to a router with the IP address 192.168.1.1, for example. Ensure that DHCP is enabled in the LAN settings of your router (which may be found in a section labeled LAN configuration or equivalent).
Write down the Wi-Fi password. You’ll need to modify your secondary router’s settings a bit to match those on this gateway. With the same Wi-Fi password, you can access any network wirelessly, and your secondary router can also wirelessly connect to your primary router (if supported by your secondary router). There should be a section titled Wireless or Wi-Fi Security on your router’s administrative page.
- It is advisable to write down both the SSID (commonly referred to as the Network Name) and password.
- Notate whether “Security mode,” “Network mode,” or “Encryption mode” is activated.
- Put the frequency, as 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz, in writing, after which you can move on to the following action.
- The router’s LAN or Network section will contain the Internet (IPV4) IP address.
If TP-Link or Linksys make your router, you can ignore this step, but for most other routers, you’ll have to jot down the MAC address and enter it into the backup router. After saving your changes, disconnect.
If you haven’t changed anything, there’s no need to save anything. If you’ve already done it, pick Save and unplug your computer’s Ethernet cable. You currently have everything you require to set up your new router. To prevent your computer from connecting to it via Wi-Fi while
Setting Up Bridging On The Second Router
So, connect a second router to your computer, you’ll need it. It would help if you unhooked from the main router before connecting the router that will act as a bridge to your PC. The same Ethernet cable should then be attached to the ethernet port on your system and the other end to a LAN or numbered port on a second router.
Plug the router in to turn it on the webpage for the router’s administrator. Discover the IP address (which may be the same as your primary router’s), then input the username and password.
Set this router’s bridging mode to on. Depending on the router model, different terminology and procedures may be required. Still, in general, you must go to a section, type “Connection type” or “Network Mode,” and select Bridge Mode, Bridged, WDS, or Repeater from the menu. To determine the precise location, see your documentation.
On TP-Link models, you must select Enable WDS Bridging under Advanced > System Tools > System Parameters. Select Enable Wireless Repeating Routers from Netgear typically have this feature tucked away in the router’s “Advanced” menu under “Advanced Setup.” After that, pick Wireless Repeater.
Now, the bridging mode can be configured. When the bridging mode is enabled, you’ll need a few details for the router to communicate with your primary router. Each model will have its own distinct set of steps.
Select the primary router’s SSID by clicking Survey, then select a TP-Link model by clicking Choose. Then, if prompted, enter the Wi-Fi password for the main router and click Save to get the data from that network automatically.
You must enter your router’s IP address as the default gateway when configuring a new router. You’ll also frequently need to enter the Subnet Mask, which should match the value on your primary router. You can provide any number in the same range as the primary router when prompted for an IP address.
You can use any IP address between 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.254 for this router as your secondary router’s IP address. If your primary router’s IP address is 192.168.0.1, your subnet mask is 255.255.255.0.
You can wirelessly connect the backup router to the leading network if your routers support it. The best results can be obtained with an Ethernet cable, but if wireless connectivity is possible, you’ll need to enter the second router’s details into the Bridge Mode settings.
Switch off Wi-Fi and input the network’s Wi-Fi frequency in the SSID (network name) of the original router (e.g., 5 GHz). Most routers’ bridging modes turn off the secondary router’s DHCP server by default. Something good has happened. Finding your DHCP settings and stopping DHCP on the secondary router is necessary because bridging mode does not automatically turn off the DHCP server.
Update the Wi-Fi settings on the backup router. To allow devices to connect through Wi-Fi, your primary router’s SSID must somewhat vary from the SSID of your secondary router. You can keep the same SSID but add a descriptor for the secondary router.
Set the Wi-Fi security mode and password to the same values as the primary router. For instance, if your primary router has the name Netgear2021, you may call this secondary router Netgear2021 upstairs if it is situated upstairs. Turn off your primary router if you’re setting up your secondary (bridging) network.
Getting Online
Now that all the settings have been entered into the system, your routers are ready to use. It would help if you used an Ethernet connection no longer than 320 feet when connecting two routers (unless your routers support WDS).
Use a Wi-Fi router that supports wireless bridging to get around obstructions like metal siding and brick walls. Confirming that the modem is connected to the primary router (if separate) is crucial. The Ethernet cable should be connected with the modem or wall jack on one end and the Internet or WAN port of the primary router on the other.
Ethernet cables may be run through walls to connect to adjacent rooms. Your two routers must be connected. The Ethernet port on your primary router should be connected to the LAN port on your secondary router and vice versa.
Conclusion
Now you know How To Create A Mesh Network With Two Routers? if the Wi-Fi router you used in your tiny apartment is unable to give you the wireless connectivity you require in a larger home, a mesh Wi-Fi router system may be the best choice.
A mesh router or system combines two or more Wi-Fi access points to create and share a seamless Wi-Fi network that can be expanded to cover even the largest residences or buildings. If your property is big (at least 3,000 square feet), has an unusual layout, goes up more than two levels, or has brick walls inside, you’ll undoubtedly encounter Wi-Fi dead zones.
This means that installing a mesh network in your house would be a better choice than using a standard Wi-Fi router. Modern mesh Wi-Fi systems provide straightforward setup instructions and let you fill in coverage gaps in your house to minimize dead spots. After installation, your entire house, including the garage and backyard, has wireless internet service.
