How to Link 2 Routers

A router controls access to your wireless or wired computer network. A router also moderates traffic to your Internet connection. Typically, one router is sufficient for most home users. Individuals may wish to connect more than one router to extend the area of their network, or to allow more computers to connect to the network. Learn how to link two routers together to extend the reach and effect of your computer network.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• LAN cable

Linking Two Routers

1. Turn off both routers. Move the routers so that they are situated close enough to be connected via the length of the LAN cable. If you want the routers separated by an extended area of space, you may have to invest in several LAN cables in order to span the length between the two routers.

2. Connect the first router to your standard network, whether it is a local network or an Internet network. Consult the router's original manufacturer's manual for specific information if you are unclear as to the specifics of connecting the router to your network.

3. Test that the first router is functioning properly. Connect one or more computers to the router, and access your local or online network. Verify that the computer is able to access the network through the router. If it does not work, check that all cables and settings are properly set up.

4. Plug one end of the LAN cable into the first router's standard LAN port. Connect the other end to the LAN port on the second router.

5. Turn on the second router. Use standard networking cables (e.g., Ethernet cables) to connect one or more computers to the second router so that you can verify that the router is able to access the network. The second router will send its traffic through the first router, acting as an extender to the original network.

6. Resume using the computer network. The second router doubles your network's connectivity by allowing twice as many computers to connect to the network.

[greenpeas]

on 6/27/2009 this doesn't really help cuz it doesn't state how to set the second router to access the internet through the first router. sure it's easy to do when wired, but the first paragraph it talks about wireless.