[SOLVED] Best way to connect 2 separate networks together?

[Hayhand]

Main house network router(192.168.1.x) is connected to the internet and has multiple devices on its LAN ports. A separate network router (192.168.3.x) supports multiple wifi cameras and NVR. Would like to connect the 2 networks together so all the users on the main network can access the cameras on the other network. Can we direct connect the 2 routers or do we have to have another interim router to connect the 2? Other ideas?

 

[kanewolf]

Main house network router(192.168.1.x) is connected to the internet and has multiple devices on its LAN ports. A separate network router (192.168.3.x) supports multiple wifi cameras and NVR. Would like to connect the 2 networks together so all the users on the main network can access the cameras on the other network. Can we direct connect the 2 routers or do we have to have another interim router to connect the 2? Other ideas?

Does network #2 (.3.x) have to keep the same IP structure?
The simplest thing would be for all devices to be in the same subnet, that could be .1 or .3 but you will have to ensure you don't have duplicate IDs.
Then convert router #2 into an access point with the link to router #1 on a LAN port. If you don't have enough LAN ports on #2, then you have to replace #2 with a switch.

 

[Hayhand]

Unfortunately that is the environment I just came from! I had to move the cameras off my main network as there was a huge amount of camera traffic on the existing network. So I still want to get to the cameras but on a different network. I see several write-ups on setting up 2 connected networks but in the opposite direction that I need. I don't need for the camera network to connect into the internet or my house network. Any thoughts on a write-up on my connection change?

 

[bill001g]

Buy a actual "router". That is the primary function to route traffic between subnets. That is why they really shouldn't call the boxes they sell consumers routers because they have no ability to do what a routers main function is.

Your other option is to try fancy port forwarding rules. You would assign each camera a different port number on the wan of the second router. Then on the port forwarding rule you would map it to the correct IP and change the port number to what the camera really uses. This may or may not work depending on
what application you are using to access the cameras. If it is too smart or will not let you change the port number then you will have to find another way.