[SOLVED] Splitter or daisy chain two routers?

[BobinNH]

I've started using a commercial VPN installed on my router. I like the anonymity. But, my Vonage box won't work with it. They recommend putting a router in front of the VPN. So, the situation would be this:

CableModem

• Router 1 (which would connect my Vonage box via static IP, no Wifi or DHCP,)
• Router 2 (which would be my main router for the house - wifi etc.)

So, my question is should I install a splitter after the cable modem and connect each router to it, or daisy chain the routers, i.e. just plug the second router into one of the ports of the first router?

 

[bill001g]

You have no other option the routers must be daisy chained. Your ISP only gives you 1 IP address and whatever router you plug into the modem first will get it and the other will not work. Note the device you would use is called a switch and not a splitter......but it won't work no matter what you call it.

It depends on the brand of your router that is running the VPN. It might have a feature that allows traffic to bypass the vpn and go straight to the internet. Many times this feature is called split tunnel but it is called different stuff. I know asus routers running the merlin firmware can do it.

This way you could have a single router. Be very careful about the configuration so other traffic does not sneak around the tunnel.

 

[kanewolf]

I've started using a commercial VPN installed on my router. I like the anonymity. But, my Vonage box won't work with it. They recommend putting a router in front of the VPN. So, the situation would be this:

CableModem

• Router 1 (which would connect my Vonage box via static IP, no Wifi or DHCP,)
• Router 2 (which would be my main router for the house - wifi etc.)

So, my question is should I install a splitter after the cable modem and connect each router to it, or daisy chain the routers, i.e. just plug the second router into one of the ports of the first router?

First most home routers sacrifice a lot of performance when running a VPN. As long as that is acceptable.
Then you should see if you can configure "split VPN" to allow your Vonage box to avoid the VPN.
The double router setup is difficult because you have a double NAT situation. That can be complicated for some.

 

[BobinNH]

Thanks for the quick response. I never thought about the ISP only granting one IP address so split/switch won't work. (I was using "splitter" in the traditional coax way of splitting a tv signal")

I'm using an Archer A7 and accessing the VPN through L2TP and there is no way to do split VPN. BUT, you make a good point in that, I was ready to buy another router anyway, now I can buy one with split VPN capabilities.

 

[kanewolf]

Thanks for the quick response. I never thought about the ISP only granting one IP address so split/switch won't work. (I was using "splitter" in the traditional coax way of splitting a tv signal")

I'm using an Archer A7 and accessing the VPN through L2TP and there is no way to do split VPN. BUT, you make a good point in that, I was ready to buy another router anyway, now I can buy one with split VPN capabilities.

If VPN is important, then you need to find a router that is a small business class router. That might be a wired-only router. You could then use your existing A7 as a WIFI only access point.

 

[BobinNH]

Can I ask a question for clarification? My router can connect via "Dynamic IP" and goes to Spectrum for the connection. When I connect to the vpn I connect via L2TP and put in the username/password and address of the vpn server. In the second scenario am going through Spectrum to the vpn or directly the the vpn provider? Given that the ISP will only grant one connection isn't split vpn actually requesting two IP addresses?

 

[kanewolf]

Can I ask a question for clarification? My router can connect via "Dynamic IP" and goes to Spectrum for the connection. When I connect to the vpn I connect via L2TP and put in the username/password and address of the vpn server. In the second scenario am going through Spectrum to the vpn or directly the the vpn provider? Given that the ISP will only grant one connection isn't split vpn actually requesting two IP addresses?

You are going through Spectrum. But the traffic is encrypted. Spectrum sees a connection to your VPN provider. No other info is visible to Spectrum.