Setting up multiple wireless routers

[twintone]

I will try to be as detailed as possible. The answer is probably fairly simple, just not sure how to resolve this.

I have a DSL router where the internet comes in to the house. This is WiFi capable, but I don't use it as it's in a poor location, and the signal is weak. I run that connection to a 16 port switch and then from the switch I have connected several PC's a couple printers, and another wireless router.

The gateway for the dsl modem / router is 192.168.0.1, so I setup the other wireless router to 192.168.1.1 which does a pretty good job of covering the entire home except for a family room addition that was added a few years before be bought the home.

Last night I ran Cat5 from the basement (where the DSL modem / router is) to the family room, and setup another wireless router. I set that up as 192.168.3.1, and plugged that directly into the modem / router and not the switch.

Here is the problem I am having. I am able to connect to that wireless router with any device (Laptop, Phone, Tablet) and get out to the internet just fine. However we have an Xbox in that same room, and I have that connected to the new wireless router via wired connection cat5. We are able to get out to the net, but online gaming drops the connection. Prior to this new router I had a ethernet over electric wire switch setup and that worked fine connecting directly to the modem / router. But now since I am connected directly to a new wireless router my port forwards don't seem to work anymore.

Ideally I would like to just have anything hard wire connected just pass through and use any settings on the modem / router instead of using the DHCP of this new wireless router, however also be able to connect to the new wireless router wirelessly with the laptop / phone / tablet and be able to get out to the net.

Maybe the easiest solution is to just go pick up a 5 port switch and connect the hard wire to that, along with the hard wire for the Xbox, and then connect the wireless modem to it as well for wireless connections.

I was just thinking maybe I could figure out an easy want to get this all working without having to go out an buy more hardware.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am hoping maybe there is a fairly simple solution that I just don't know how to setup.

Thank you

 

[bill001g]

Ideally I would like to just have anything hard wire connected just pass through and use any settings on the modem / router instead of using the DHCP of this new wireless router, however also be able to connect to the new wireless router wirelessly with the laptop / phone / tablet and be able to get out to the net.

This is the recommended install method. What you are describing is a AP. Some routers have that mode so follow the instructions. Otherwise you disable the DHCP, cable to the main route using a LAN port rather than the WAN port, assign the new "AP" a non conflicting IP in the main routers range and remove it from the DHCP pool on the main router. Pretty much a AP is a switch that also has wireless "ports" but it is completely transparent form a IP prospective.

The wireless setting in the AP are up to you. You can use the same or different SSID. It is recommended you use different channels than your main device to avoid conflict but if it is out of range it does not matter a lot.

 

[twintone]

Thanks bill001g. AP is the easiest solution and what I will do.. didn't even think of just doing that. I guess I was thinking the switch part my no longer function. I appreciate your answer and should be an easy fix.