How to Use Two Wireless Routers

Because of the nature of wireless networks, it's a common task to want to connect to multiple wireless routers depending on your location. Configurations differ between home, office and public networks, and it's not convenient to have to change your settings every time you need to connect. The best way to solve this problem is to use two wireless routers together.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• WiFi drivers
• Wireless routers
• WiFi card
• SSID, WEP and WPA keys

Use Two Wireless Routers With a Windows Operating System

1. Install WiFI drivers. If your computer didn't come with a WiFi card, you need to install your WiFi drivers first. Insert the disc that came with your WiFi card and follow the instructions.

2. Insert the WiFi card into your computer.

3. Visit each network's location. If each network is broadcasting its Service Set Identifier (SSID), which is the default behavior, Windows should pick up on the networks automatically. You should see a network icon in the bottom right corner of the screen when the networks are detected.

4. Configure each network. While at each network location, configure each network with correct SSID, Wireless Encryption Protocol (WEP) or WiFi Protected Access (WPA) key and authentication information if applicable. (Not all networks use authentication.) Each network must be configured properly to be able to connect when you return.

5. Configure networks manually. Sometimes you may choose, or it may be necessary, to configure networks manually. This gives greater control over the network configurations, as well as allowing you to configure a network before you reach the location.

6. Click on "Start -> Connect To -> Show All Connections." If you don't have any networks configured yet, the "Connect To" menu will not be available, in which case you will need to click on "Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections."

7. Use the "Create a New Connection" option. Configure the new network connection, using the directions of the provided wizard. You'll need to know the network settings (SSID and WEP or WPA key) beforehand. You may have to contact the administrator of the network for these setting if you don't already know them.

8. Connect to a network, since the two wireless routers are now connected.

9. Connect to a specific network by clicking on "Start -> Connect To" and then the name of the network. When you move to a new location and need to connect to a new network, you can access it through the "Connect To" menu.

Tips & Warnings

• If Windows doesn't automatically find each network, contact the administrator of the network for assistance.

[greenpeas]

on 6/27/2009 ok, my bad. i'm the knucklehead. i won't divulge the number of times it took me to realize i read it incorrectly

[greenpeas]

on 6/27/2009 um, this sounds like using 1 wireless computer, connect to 2 wireless routers, not connecting 2 wireless routers together. the last sentence in the 9th step states when you move to a new location you are configuring the wireless computer to a new network.