When you extend your current network, you may need to add more routers to the existing network. Without knowing how to perform router cascading, you will fail to add an extra router to the network successfully. In this tutorial, you will learn how to connect extra routers to the current network by cascading routers without having any network issues. There are two ways to cascade a router to another router. Before configuring the second router for router cascade, make sure that it is not connected to the main router (where the broadband modem is connected).
LAN to LAN Router Cascading Method
This method is used when you want to use the same network address on devices connected to the second router. Here the second router is acting as a switch to extend your current network.
Many users use this method to cascade a new wireless router with an existing wired router to extend the router 1 to connect other wireless devices and still have the same network addresses assigned by the first router. This method is very popular when a user needs to cascade a wireless router with another existing router in the network. Do not confuse this method with the step to cascade two wireless routers.
WAN to LAN Router Cascade(Method 2)
Before you connect a router to another router in WAN to LAN cascade Method, make sure that both routers have different IP addresses. If both routers have the same IP address, you need to change the IP address of the second router to prevent any conflict. Steps to configure the second router in WAN to LAN cascading method are:
One of the most asked question from my readers is about possible issues with cascading routers from different vendors. There are no issues with cascading routers from different vendors. You won't face any issues with cascading a Linksys router with Belkin router or D-Link router because router cascading is vendor-free.
Different Methods to Cascade Two Routers
- LAN to LAN Router Cascade
Connecting one of the Ethernet ports (LAN ports) of the second Router to one of the Ethernet ports (LAN ports) of the main router. In this method, the devices connected to the second router and the devices connected to the first router are in the same network and can communicate with each other directly.
- WAN to LAN Router Cascade
Connecting the Internet port (WAN port) of the second Router to one of the Ethernet ports (LAN ports) of the main router. In this method, we are creating two different networks with different network addresses.
LAN to LAN Router Cascading Method
This method is used when you want to use the same network address on devices connected to the second router. Here the second router is acting as a switch to extend your current network.
- Connect your computer to the LAN Port of the Router 2
- Log in to Second Router
Access the router’s web-based setup page{Second Router}. To learn how to access the web-based setup page of a router, visit the link below.
How to Find Login Address Of My Router
- Change the IP Address of Router 2
When the router’s web-based setup page appears, look for Local IP Address and change it to “192.168.X.Y { Most of the times' router IP address is 192.168.X.1 where X and Y start from 0 to 255 }. We must ensure that Y is a number between 0 to 255 and is out of the DHCP range of router 1.
Eg: Assign IP address 192.168.X.200 (Where X is the same value as in router 1. Eg X value of router 1 with address 192.168.1.5 is 1) to the second router where the IP address of the first router(main router connected to the modem) is 192.168.X.1
- Disable DHCP On Router 2
When the web-based setup page opens, look for DHCP Server and click Disable. Do not forget to save settings. Click Advanced Routing and change Operating Mode to Router.(Depends on the router models and vendors this may change}.
- Connect Router 2 to Router 1
Connect LAN Port of Router 1 to LAN Port of Router 2 using an Ethernet cable. Connect a standard Ethernet network cable to one of the numbered Ethernet ports on the main router, where the broadband modem is connected. Then, connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port of the router that you have just configured.
Many users use this method to cascade a new wireless router with an existing wired router to extend the router 1 to connect other wireless devices and still have the same network addresses assigned by the first router. This method is very popular when a user needs to cascade a wireless router with another existing router in the network. Do not confuse this method with the step to cascade two wireless routers.
WAN to LAN Router Cascade(Method 2)
Before you connect a router to another router in WAN to LAN cascade Method, make sure that both routers have different IP addresses. If both routers have the same IP address, you need to change the IP address of the second router to prevent any conflict. Steps to configure the second router in WAN to LAN cascading method are:
- Make sure Both Routers have Different Network Address
If both routers have the same network address (check the third octet and make sure both routers have different third octet number. Eg: 192.168.1.5 for router 1 and 192.168.2.1 for the second router). If both routers have the same third octet number, proceed to step 2.
- Change Third Octet of Router 2 IP Address
Access the second router’s web-based setup page and look for Local IP Address and change it to “192.168.X.1 Where X is any number between 0 to 255 except the number in the first router.[ie: If the IP address of the first router is 192.168.5.1 the X of the second router is any number between 0 to 255 other than 5]. Do not forget to save settings.
- Make sure DHCP server on the second router is on
- Connect the Second router to WAN port of the First router
Connect a standard Ethernet network cable to one of the numbered Ethernet ports on the main router, where the broadband modem is connected. Then connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Internet port of the router that you have just configured.
One of the most asked question from my readers is about possible issues with cascading routers from different vendors. There are no issues with cascading routers from different vendors. You won't face any issues with cascading a Linksys router with Belkin router or D-Link router because router cascading is vendor-free.
Tutorials Related to Router Cascading
- Cascading three routers
In a bigger network, you may need to cascade more than two routers. If you want to cascade the third router to the second router, follow the instructions provided in the link below.
How to Connect Third Router to Second Router
- Router cascading and Internet Speed
Some users complain about reduced Internet speed after performing router cascade. The below link shows some instructions to troubleshoot the lose in Internet speed and some practical steps to improve the Internet speed after conducting two routers.
How to speed up your Internet connection
Comments
One question - is there any benefit to having UNPNP activated in the router and / or the switches?
@DOC Do you mean uPnP (Universal Plug and Play ) ?
The subsequent clutter and excessive information in such guides made them neigh unusable.
No my routers are up and running without a hitch.
So well done, thank you.
Traditionally Wireless routers are not allowed to cascade wireless but you can do it if if both routers are WDS enabled. You may need third party firmware to do wireless cascade. To know more details about WDS please click on the link below.
http://www.corenetworkz.com/2011/04/mportance-of-wds-in-interconnecting-two.html
The connection should be like this.
1. Connect one end of Ethernet cable on the LAN Port of DSL Modem and the other end on the WAN(Internet) Port of your Linksys Router (WRT54GL)
2. Ensure that you can go online with Linksys Router with a wired connection. If not please configure Linksys Router according to the guide below.
http://www.corenetworkz.com/2011/05/how-to-setup-linksys-wireless-router.html
On Linksys Router, you should ensure that wireless is turned on.
If you need further assistance please comment here.
So please follow the steps below.
1. Connect your computer/laptop to WRT54GL with a cable (LAN Port1 of Linksys)
2. Type 192.168.1.1 on the address bar of browser and press enter. If it is not working to learn the login IP of Linksys follow the instructions provided in the link below.
http://www.corenetworkz.com/2010/07/how-to-find-login-ip-address-of-router.html
3. Login Linksys WRT54GL using the username and passowrd (same as provided in my previous link)(http://www.corenetworkz.com/how-to-setup-linksys-wireless-router.html
4. Change the Router IP Address (or called Local IP Address) to 192.168.6.1 and save settings
5. Click on Wireless tab and change the wireless name to a different name (Eg: mywireless) and click on Save.
Now check if you can access Internet from your iPhones (If it is working you should go and enable wireless security).
I apologize for the late reply. It is the holy-week and you can understand.
My email id:
admin@corenetworkz.com
http://www.corenetworkz.com/how-to-connect-three-routers-in-your.html
I recommend you to follow the steps provided in the link below on the computer which is connected with 15meter cable.
http://www.corenetworkz.com/2010/08/i-cannot-go-online-internet.html
much appreciated
192.168.1.1 and the TP-Link is 192.168.0.1. I am using the Linksys as the secondary. Any help would be appreciated.
Try to delete the previously saved Wireless networks and try to reconnect.
To check for error 651, follow the instructions provided in the link below.
http://www.corenetworkz.com/2011/07/error-651-modem-connecting-device-has.html
Good thought and it will definitely work.
If you want open a port in your network, it is better keep entire network in same IP address range. Eg: 192.168.1.X
It is also important to open the same port in all routers unless the firewall is disabled.
For better suggestions, it is important to know your network diagram with IP address range set in each routers.