Re: Help needed with home network configuration
On Fri 16 Mar 2018 at 12:49:16 (-0700), Don Armstrong wrote:
> On Fri, 16 Mar 2018, David Wright wrote:
> > On Fri 16 Mar 2018 at 10:24:36 (-0700), Don Armstrong wrote:
> > > The software might not support it, but if openwrt or ddwrt can run
> > > on the hardware, they should support bridging.
> >
> > I can make sure the router I buy can run openwrt or ddwrt, but it
> > would be handy to know if I need to buy two or whether the current one
> > can at least do the job at one end of the diagram.
>
> It's likely that they can run ddwrt or openwrt, but you'd have to check.
>
> > > I suggest that you instead run the second router as a switch with an
> > > attached wireless AP instead,
> >
> > So you're saying that a router can run as a switch. This is presumably
> > by just ignoring the WAN port and using just the LANs?¹
>
> Yes, assuming you disable the dhcp server on the second router. [Or you
> could bridging the WAN port into the lan bridge, and use all of the
> ports. You'll need openwrt to do that; most router firmware doesn't
> support that setup.]
>
> > And what does buying a WAP do that the wireless on the router can't
> > cope with?
>
> Nothing; my point was just that's what you should do with your existing
> equipment. [IE, totally ignore the router functionality of the second
> router.]
>
> > Let's just imagine there's a wireless-proof gauze screen between the
> > two halves of the house. One router in each half is up to the task of
> > covering its half but no more. At the moment, one half of the house
> > (ironically the side with the modem) has next to no coverage.
>
> > ¹ ie what's outlined in this one
> > http://smallbusiness.chron.com/setting-up-wireless-routers-same-ssid-68675.html
>
> Right; this is basically how you cover areas where a single AP won't cut
> it.
That's all been a great help, thanks. I think I can see paths
forward. I'm going to be reading a lot of specs.
Cheers,
David.
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