Bridging two routers

  • Thread starter Thread starter J-PaP
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J-PaP
Hi,

Hopefully I have the term right of what I want to do. I have two adsl modem's/routers. They are:

Billion 7401VGP (Connects to the internet)
Netcomm NB6plus4W (Spare)

I basically wan't to extend my wireless connection throughout the house. Currently my Billion reaches fairly much all the way through the house. I want to somehow connect (wirelessly) my Netcomm router so that it uses the Billion modem's internet connection. But I want both devices to both be able to be connected to as the Billion will cover all of the house while the Netcomm I wish to cover the garage/backyard.

Is this at all possible? Any idea how?

Thanks
John
 
Unless your Netcomm can act as a wireless access point, you might want to run some cable towards the end of the house closest to your garage and run a access point there. Not sure about that model of Netcomm, but I don't think you can wireless connect one router to another to "extend" your network unless you are using specific hardware for that application.
 
A select number or routers can perform the task you require using special firmware.

http://openwrt.org/ Check out this for more info, see if either of your routers is compatible.

You can also get wireless extenders from a few different manufacturers, some are good, other not so much.

Remember also about powerline ethernet adapters, fantastic technology that allow you to extend your network over the existing powerlines in your building.
 
Generally, a wireless router can behave as an access point or a bridge, but not both.

A bridge would be used if you had two separate network but wished them connected, but have no way to get a cable between them. Two buildings near each other, something like that. Put a wireless access point or router in each building near the other one, configure them to bridge to each other. Now both networks are One. But the devices will not serve wireless clients. It's either/or for most of them.

There are range extenders, though. These devices need an initial configuration, then they just sit somewhere. If you wireless is open, i.e. no WEP or WPA, they can usually auto-configure, but if you have wireless security, you have to attach the extender to your network long enough to configure it. Basically, you give it the same SSID and security as the main router and it's good to go. Then place it near the periphery of your wireless network and plug its power into an A/C outlet. It no longer needs a wired network connection. It functions as a repeater, listening for the main router and retransmitting it, allowing devices farther away to connect to the same wireless network.
 
Thanks for the responses. So by the sounds of it keeping everything wireless isn't possible with existing equipment (plan was to try keep existing equipment as if I was to buy new equipment I might as well just replace the modem/router as a wireless n router I've tested gets the range I need.

Another idea, can I instead have my Billion connecting to the internet and allowing wireless clients. The netcomm though instead of connecting to it wirelessly, have clients connect to it via ethernet?
 
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