Fun with routers

[Link]

I'm trying to use an old router as a wireless extention point, and I don't know how to set it up, or if its even possible.

Heres what I have.
Downstairs, a D-link router. This is the broadband gateway.
Upstairs, a netgear DG834G, with an ethernet connection to the dlink.

What I want.
The wireless from the dlink downstairs dosen't reach my room, so I want to use the netgear as an access point for my wireless laptop and my main PC connected via ethernet, which then sends all requests to the dlink and onwards as normal

What I have tried.
First, just plug and play. No dice. The wireless picks up the netgear no problem, but it can't access anything. Didn't think it would be that easy

Next, set up the netgear for a static IP that is different from the dlink (obvious). Then, I turned off DHCP on the netgear. This meant that the laptop connected to the netgear, but didn't get an IP.

So I set DHCP on the dlink to run from 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.100 and the netgear to DHCP from 192.168.1.101 - 192.168.1.254. The laptop can now see the netgear, and get an IP. It can ping the netgear, but not the dlink.

Thats as far as I got. I can see from the netgear devices page that it is seeing the dlink. Also, it sees the 2 computers that are connected to the dlink over ethernet, so there is communication between the netgear and the dlink, its just not letting me access via the laptop.

 

[Barney Fife]

If I may recall this correctly: Most household wireless routers only support single-access gateway, to receive and transmit signals from the Wire-line , and them, themselves will not act as wireless roaming device and transparent, unless they physically connected to a wire-line, HUB, or a Router and extend signals is such fashion. But let's assume that you considered this before purchase and your routers are civilized.

First, before you waste time; make sure firmware for both router are up to date. Get a bottle of Tylenol and a Alka Seltzer Plus. You're in for long haul.
Most easiest way is to buy a signal booster or replacing D-link antennas with more powerful ones. But there are other options:
First option: Extend Router (D-Link) range by turning on the "Repeater" option in the router, increasing signal strength (transmission rate) Beacon and such.
Second Option: Physically connect the Netgear to D-Link by Wire-line (RJ45) and move the Netgear to different location.
Third Option: Reset Netgear router back to factory settings, manually add Netgear Mac address to D-link configurations, Bridge routers by visiting your "Network Connections" and creating new connection.
Note: Make sure that you set both routers admin/passwords, because both have access to your network. Also the third option would be impractical if D-link signal is already weak to reach Netgear. Third option is useful when the signal from D-link is OK to reach Netgear and you like to boost signal by using Netgear to the rest of the network.

Good Luck.

 

[Link]

Crap, must learn to proof read.

Clarifications:
I don't plan to buy anything. I mention these routers because I already own them. If its not possible, then I'll look at other options.
I am connecting the routers together via a pre existing ethernet cable between the dlink and the netgear. The reason I am not just using the ethernet cable is because I have 2 machines in the room, and I want to use wireless on the laptop anyway.

Thanks for the reply Barney. If you have further advise in light of this, would love to hear it.

 

[Asus]

For the RJ45 going to the Dlink, use a normal port on the Netgear and not the WAN port. Then it might act like a wireless switch (wireless access point) and not a router. Disable DHCP on the netgear with it like this.

edit:here is a netgear guide. probably very similar for your Netgear.
http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/n101236.asp

 

[Link]

Weird, got it working now. Disabled the DHCP on the netgear and set the dlink back to DHCP the whole range of IPs and the laptops now picking it up.

Thanks guys.

 

[Barney Fife]

Yes, DHCP, you got it. I was just about to advice you on that but Asus beat me to it.

Crap, must learn to proof read.

Sorry. You didn't understand what the heck I was mumbling about? I was running out the door to a client when I replied to ya, I forgot to edit.

GJ though figuring out yourself.

 

[Link]

NO! I meant me, I must learn to proof read. Your advise was good and clear, it answered the question I asked. Just, cos I didn't proof read and asked the wrong question, didn't answer my problem

Thanks for the help guys, appreciate it

 

[Barney Fife]

Oh, OK. You welcome boss. GJ.