Configure your router as an access point

Edited by Melsan, Lynn, Eng

5 Parts: Things needed Connect Ethernet to First Router Configure Your Second Router Tips and Trick Comments

People often purchase routers when they already have one at home, and they may not even know what to do with it, so it ends up being returned to the store. If you have multiple devices at home, then you can set the second router as an access point plus additional ports for LAN connection.

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Things needed

  1. 1
    Ethernet cord
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  2. 2
    Computer (Laptop or desktop)
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  3. 3
    Your second router
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Connect Ethernet to First Router

Connect the Ethernet cord to the LAN port of the existing router, then to your computer and check the default gateway address.

Windows Computer

  1. 1
    Go to "Start"
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  2. 2
    Click on "All Programs"
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  3. 3
    Click on "Accessories"
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  4. 4
    Click on "Command Prompt" then type "ipconfig".
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  5. 5
    Take note of the default gateway.
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Macintosh Computer

  1. 1
    Click Apple logo.
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  2. 2
    Go to "System Preferences" then "Network"
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  3. 3
    Click "Ethernet," then "Advanced"
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  4. 4
    Click the TCP/IP tab, and take note of the router IP.
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Example:

IP: 192.168.0.145
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Primary DNS: 4.2.2.2
Secondary DNS: 4.2.2.3

DNS actually depends on your internet service provider, meaning that, it is different from one ISP to another.

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Configure Your Second Router

  1. 1
    Unplug the cord from your existing router, and connect it to the LAN port of the second router.
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  • 2
    Launch a browser to access it's GUI (Graphical User Interface)
    .
    * Example: 192.168.1.1
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  • 3
    Configure your wireless settings first, look for "Setup" then "Wireless setup"
    Wireless Settings.png
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  • 4
    After you type the default login, look for "LAN setup" set a static IP that is in line with the existing router's IP, and disable the DHCP on the second router to avoid conflict within, then apply
    .
    See screenshot as an example:
    Wireless settings 2.png
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  • 5
    Now, unplug the Ethernet cord from the computer, and connect it to the original router's LAN port.
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  • 6
    Connect the other end to your second router's LAN port
    .
    LAN.png
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  • 7
    After the configuration, you should see a blue wireless icon, green power light, and LAN port that indicates you have successfully configured the router as an access point.
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    • Tips and Trick

    • Graphical user interfaces vary, depending on the manufacturer of the router.

    If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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    Article Info

    Categories : Noindexed pages | Networking

    Recent edits by: Lynn, Melsan

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