Running two internet routers

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

So Im an idiot when it comes to computer **** and internet. I always used Wifi for my Xbox but have been having signal strength issues lately and insane lag. I want to just order a router off amazon and install it with a wired connection to my Xbox.

Question is. Is it as simple as buying a second router? I would move my current one but it is connected to my phone lines in the kitchen. So thats not an option.

If its that simple what would be a good WIRED router? I don't really need any more WIFI.

Last option is to try and get POS Comcast out here...

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[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

So Im an idiot when it comes to computer **** and internet. I always used Wifi for my Xbox but have been having signal strength issues lately and insane lag. I want to just order a router off amazon and install it with a wired connection to my Xbox.

Question is. Is it as simple as buying a second router? I would move my current one but it is connected to my phone lines in the kitchen. So thats not an option.

If its that simple what would be a good WIRED router? I don't really need any more WIFI.

Last option is to try and get POS Comcast out here...

just don't pay ton of 4 for them i've got more expensive ones aren't any better and break faster than the amazon ones (they recommend) for like $16-$30, cisco one i have now was $15.. idk how using 2 in same house will work., maybe just the old one needs replaced with higher speed one or even same speed they do mess up from heat (i have mini fan on mine).. cheap one like this (same as cisco) out here but sure u can find them https://www.amazon.com/E2500-Advanced-Simultaneous-Dual-Band-Wireless-N/dp/B00Q3XL8TA/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524090425&sr=1-6&keywords=router&refinements=p_72%3A1248879011.. this looks good though https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Archer-AC900-Reliable-Router/dp/B074MGY628/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524090624&sr=1-3&keywords=router&refinements=p_72%3A1248879011%2Cp_n_intended_use_browse-bin%3A9647497011%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A5928098011

 

[NSTALN 10+ year member]

If you already have a router with an ethernet output then you need a switch(not the same as on/off kinda switch) to split that output, or just use a dedicated ethernet out if your router has extra...If you only have a wi-fi router then yes you'll need a new router with a physical ethernet connection.

 

[NSTALN 10+ year member]

just don't pay ton of 4 for them i've got more expensive ones aren't any better and break faster than the amazon ones (they recommend) for like $16-$30, cisco one i have now was $15.. idk how using 2 in same house will work., maybe just the old one needs replaced with higher speed one or even same speed they do mess up from heat (i have mini fan on mine).. cheap one like this (same as cisco) out here but sure u can find them https://www.amazon.com/E2500-Advanced-Simultaneous-Dual-Band-Wireless-N/dp/B00Q3XL8TA/ref=sr_1_6?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524090425&sr=1-6&keywords=router&refinements=p_72%3A1248879011.. this looks good though https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Archer-AC900-Reliable-Router/dp/B074MGY628/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524090624&sr=1-3&keywords=router&refinements=p_72%3A1248879011%2Cp_n_intended_use_browse-bin%3A9647497011%2Cp_n_feature_four_browse-bin%3A5928098011

I don't think (2) routers would be a good idea...His ISP will only be giving him 1 routable IP...he could assign one of his routers IP to the new router...but that's kind of a waste. A small switch would do the trick much easier I would think.

 

[BOOMINGRANDPA 5,000+ posts]

thats what i said just swap out the old one for new one

 

[Popwarhomie 5,000+ posts]

I have a

Cisco MoCA DB-WiFi(3x3) Apps 2-port Voice Gateway

In my kitchen hooked up to my MAC through a wired connection.

My Xbox is all the way across the house so no way I can run a cable to it from my current "gateway" even though I have 3 more Ethernet ports I could use.

The Comcast indian guy said I just need a Modem to have another wired connection to my Xbox. Then after I told him Im paying for 100mbps download and only getting 52 he decided to reset my internet and now my wired connection isnt working at all and my speed test was even slower at 30 mbps... So a technician is coming out tomorrow. Probably wont even show up though...

Asked him what modem he would recommend as a second and he would not answer. Just kept saying go to a store. Which is 30 mins away. I fucking HATE Comcast...

 

[poolman966554]

i actually have the similar setup, my modem and main router are on the 1st floor, and i have a 2nd router on the 2nd floor thats wifi capable. i get way more range that way. And look for routers that run dd-wrt. its linux based if your into that. much better imo.

What you need you need to do is disable the dhcp server function on the second router. This will let the 1st router handle the job of giving out ip addresses. I put my 2nd router static so itll never change ip address.

Edit: Google this: Buffalo AirStation N300 DD‑WRT. Imo, its a great router . WAY better than dlink, cisco etc.. thats what i have.

 

[NSTALN 10+ year member]

It really depends on what he got from Comcast...it may just be their standard single output ethernet plus wi-fi and phone. I had to get one because of CC's bundled services...though I don't use the phone. I swapped their modem for a non-wifi and non-phone model and just used my Apple Airport for routing. For some reason I never really trusted CC's wireless security...I'm sure it's fine...but I like my Airport.

I assuming the OP means modem when referring to his existing router...In that case he doesn't need to replace it, he just needs to add a more capable router to it's output for the wired devices and swing his wi-fi devices over(if he wants).

At the very least you can go and buy a new modem for about $50-70 and stop paying CC $10 a month...you'll save a little just by doing that.

 

[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

I hope they can figure something out for you. 4 years ago I was having constant issues with my Charter-supplied modem so I finally threw that POS away and bought a dual N Netgear to feed my wireless router. Setup WPA2 TKIP with a stupid long random password, told the router to only allow a handful of MAC addresses, and called it good. Solved all my issues. Streams to my TV, laptop, tablet & phone without any bandwidth concerns.

 

[poolman966554]

It really depends on what he got from Comcast...it may just be their standard single output ethernet plus wi-fi and phone. I had to get one because of CC's bundled services...though I don't use the phone. I swapped their modem for a non-wifi and non-phone model and just used my Apple Airport for routing. For some reason I never really trusted CC's wireless security...I'm sure it's fine...but I like my Airport.
I assuming the OP means modem when referring to his existing router...In that case he doesn't need to replace it, he just needs to add a more capable router to it's output for the wired devices and swing his wi-fi devices over(if he wants).

At the very least you can go and buy a new modem for about $50-70 and stop paying CC $10 a month...you'll save a little just by doing that.

Very true. it could be an all in one.. we had that and then i bought a Motorola SB6141. i have spectrum, and they glady took back they're modem, and gave me a separate modem for the phone. that, is still in the closet.. Great modem for the money ($50 at walmart?) and have recommended the same to about 15 people. no complains.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

2 routers is not good on the same network. Both will hand out DHCP addresses and you will end up with multiple devices on the network with the same IP addresses ultimately resulting in an IP address conflict and no network access.

 

[poolman966554]

not if you disable dhcp on second router and set it static.

 

[youdoofus]

actually, the first thing you should do is get a wifi analyzer app on your phone and see what channel youre broadcasting on and if there are several other wifis on the same channel, get on your computer and type 192.168.0.1 in your address bar, log in to the gateway and change the channel youre on. Many times is just that simple. Try the free options first, also more expensive router are more expensive for a reason. Many of the $150+ ones will boast being able to broadcast at yxz speed, but youll never see the benefit in it unless youre the type of user who would likely already know this.

The suggestion of dd-wrt is completely unnecessary and its unlikely that a person with not much savvy in the ways of the netterwebz would even know what theyre doing enough to know how to install it, much less reap the benefits of it (or tomato for that matter(another custom firmware for routers))

you mentioned that its connected to your phone lines in your kitchen, so i assume that its DSL. If it is, then youre very likely able to move the modem to another phone jack in your house without an installer having to come out and monkey with stuff to make it work properly. DSL doesnt have the same issue that cable modems do where the SNR has to be within certain thresholds at the connection point for it to work properly. If other phone outlets in your house are able to get a dial tone, then you can likely put the modem on that outlet unless its very old wiring in the wall. Worst case scenario, try it out on the outlet closer to your xbox and if it doesnt work, put it back to where it was and youll not be any worse off than you were to begin with.

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

not if you disable dhcp on second router and set it static.

While this is true did you read the OP's first statement?

 

[poolman966554]

While this is true did you read the OP's first statement?

when i read it, i thought about getting a better signal. Get wifi closer to problem area. Not sure how OPs house is constructed, but a basement is fairly common. If not then theres always the attic.. and running a router 30' - 40' closer could make a huge improvement.

The buffalo router i posted above has pre installed dd-wrt and is a great out of the box for most users

its the router i own, and second inline(switch) from my primary dlink pos. Dlink wifi is disabled, and my buffalo handles the wifi. The range is 2x the dlink wifi..