How to Set Up Multiple Wireless Routers

Consumer-class wireless routers are designed to share a high-speed Internet connection with multiple computers within the broadcast range of the wireless signal. You can set up multiple wireless routers within an area either to expand the range of the wireless signal or to create separate independent wireless networks that each has Internet access. For example, you can use multiple wireless routers to create a private network for your business and a separate public wireless hotspot for clients and customers.

Separated Networks

Designate one router as the "root." This is the router that connects directly to the Internet connection. It does not matter which router is the root, though you may want to use the newest or most powerful router for this purpose.

Step 1

Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to one of the "LAN" ports on the root router.

Step 2

Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the "Internet" or "WAN" port of the second router.

Step 3

Power on the second router. Any devices connected to the second router, wired or wireless, are on a separate network and cannot access any computers or devices connected to the root router, though each computer or device does receive Internet access.

Step 4

Repeat the steps for additional routers.

Step 5

Separated Networks

One Network

Designate one router as the "root." This is the router that connects directly to the Internet connection. It does not matter which router is the root, though you may want to use the newest or most powerful router for this purpose.

Step 1

Connect an Ethernet cable from the "LAN" port of the additional router to the Ethernet port on a computer.

Step 2

Log in to the additional router's Web interface and disable the built-in DHCP server. Change the wireless settings to a different SSID than the root. Disconnect the Ethernet cable.

Step 3

Connect an Ethernet cable from one of the "LAN" ports on the root router to one of the "LAN" ports on the additional router.

Step 4

Repeat the previous steps for additional routers. Connect devices to the desired routers. Although the wireless routers use different SSIDs, all devices are connected to the same physical network and can access each other and the Internet.

Step 5

One Network



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