How to connect routers to each other. Different ways to connect two routers on the same network

In this article, we will consider two options that can be used to connect routers to each other on the same network. The first option is to connect two routers via Wi-Fi, and the second option is to connect the routers via a network cable. In any case, the routers will work on the same network, and each will distribute the Internet both via cable and Wi-Fi.

Why set up such a scheme at all and why connect one router to another? There are different situations. Most often, this is an expansion of the zone Wi-Fi coverage networks, although for such tasks I recommend using . Everything is very simple here. We have already installed and configured a router or modem that distributes the Internet. We connect a second one to this router, either wirelessly or using a network cable. By installing a second router in another room, or on another floor, it will distribute Wi-Fi further.

Or in this way you can connect the Internet from a neighbor. Pay for one connection and divide it between two routers. In fact, there are a lot of options. And if you have already visited this page, then most likely you already know why you need to connect one router to the second. So let's get down to business.

Advice! If you want to set up such a scheme solely for expanding already existing Wi-Fi network, it is best to configure the router in repeater mode if it supports such a function. Devices from Asus and Zyxel can do this, here are the instructions:

Two routers on the same network: connection options

There are two options:

• Connect routers via Wi-Fi network. In WDS mode, or bridge mode. It's the same thing. In this case, you can install them at a relatively large distance. Well, there is no need to lay cables. But there are also disadvantages: the Wi-Fi connection is not very stable, and the speed over the wireless network will also drop. If you can’t use a cable to connect, then a wireless connection option will suit you. Well, not every router supports WDS mode (especially from older devices).
• The second option is to connect two routers via network cable on the same network. The method is reliable, proven, but it is not always suitable due to the fact that you have to lay a cable, and the cable itself, as a rule, needs a long one and you either need to buy it or make it yourself. You can use the one that comes with the router, but it is short.

I think you have already chosen the connection method that suits you. Now let's look at them in more detail.

We connect two routers via Wi-Fi (in WDS mode)

We will look at the example of the most popular manufacturers: Asus, Tp-Link, Zyxel, and D-link.

This means that you must have a main router that should distribute Wi-Fi network, to which we will connect the second. He can be anyone. In the sense that it is not necessary that these would be, for example, two Tp-Link routers (desirable though).

Do I need to change the settings of the main router? Yes. In the settings of the main router you need to set a static wireless network channel. Otherwise, problems with the connection may occur. I wrote how to change the channel on different routers. Set for example static channel 6. And remember it, it will be useful to us later.

That’s it, you don’t need to change any more settings of the main device.

Setting up a WDS connection on a Tp-Link router

For setting up such a scheme on Tp-Link, we have a separate one, detailed instructions: . If you have Tp-Link (TL-WR740ND, TL-WR841N, TL-WR941ND, TL-MR3220, TL-WR842ND, etc.), then you can safely follow the link.

Everything is very simple there: go to the settings, change the IP address of the router, and configure the WDS mode. I will not describe everything in detail here, since the link above has very detailed instructions. We've sorted out Tp-Link, let's move on to models from other manufacturers.

Setting up bridge mode on an Asus router

I was just sitting more than an hour, I figured out what and how it was with the bridge mode on Asus routers, and I can say that they made everything there very complicated and confusing. As far as I understand, you can configure WDS on an Asus router only if your main router is also Asus. There you need to register MAC addresses on both routers, etc. I may be wrong, correct me (in the comments). I tested it on Asus RT-N12 and RT-N18.

Here at Tp-Link everything works without all these problems. I provide a link to the setup instructions on the official Asus website: https://www.asus.com/ua/support/faq/109839. And I will definitely figure out these settings and prepare a separate article on setting up bridge mode on Asus routers.

Or set up your own. He does this job very well. The difference between these modes is that in the first case (when setting up WISP) the second router will distribute the Internet via its Wi-Fi network, that is, there will be two of them. And you will be able to use all the functions of the router. And when configured in repeater mode, there will be only one wireless network, simply amplified by a second device.

How to connect two routers via cable?

Let's take a closer look at the second option - connecting via a network cable. Perfect if there are no problems with cable laying, or when you have a modem (which, for example, was given to you by your provider) Can't distribute Wi-Fi. In this case, you can simply connect a Wi-Fi router to it using this scheme.

We'll need a simple one network cable. For example, the one that came with the router. If you need a longer cable, then you can order it at some computer store, they should make the cable the length you need.

There is no need to configure anything on the main router (modem). The main thing is that the DHCP server is enabled on it. Automatic distribution of IP addresses. It is most likely enabled by default.

I will show you using the example of connecting a Tp-Link router to D-Link (he is our main and black). So we take the cable and connect it to the main router LAN connector (one out of four, if you have 4). And on the second router we connect the cable to WAN connector. See screenshot below. My routers are connected with a black cable. Cable white, this is the Internet that is connected to the main router.

It turns out that Tp-Link will receive Internet from D-Link and distribute it via a wireless network or cable.

If after connecting, the Internet from the second router does not work, then first of all, and then check that in the settings of the router we are connecting, automatic acquisition of an IP address (Dynamic IP) is set. On Tp-Link, this is done like this:

On other routers, these settings are set in the control panel, on the WAN, Internet, etc. tab.

Here is an example of another diagram for connecting two routers via cable: Tp-Link to Zyxel. IN in this case, we have the main Tp-Link. The Internet is connected to it.

Exactly the same scheme is used to connect the router to the ADSL modem.

Afterword

Everything I wrote in this article, I checked myself, and everything works. I tried to prepare as simple as possible, and clear instructions. But, if something didn’t work out for you, then you can describe your case in the comments, and I’ll try to recommend something.

Well, you share your experience. If there is useful information, I will definitely update the article.

Approximate router to router connection diagram.

Implementation of the router router connection diagram

There are two ways serial connection two routers. The first and simplest is through a wire. Most likely, you will not be interested in him, but I will still say a few words about him. The second method is to connect via wireless communication (Wi-Fi), this issue is a little more complicated, but we will analyze it in detail.

Connecting two routers via wire

First, we need a wire twisted pair(UTP cable) crimped on both sides with a length equal to the distance between the two routers.

Then take any two Wi-Fi routers and connect them. We take the first router (the one on which the Internet is configured) and connect the “UTP cable” to the “LAN” port, insert “UTP cable” into the second router (the one that will transmit the Internet signal further) UTP cable» to the “WAN” port. That’s it, now we just configure both routers, the first one for your provider, and the second one for “dynamic ip”. You can read how to do this in these articles (configuring a router, , ,). Attention, the internal IP address of the second router must be different from the first.

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Wireless connection of two routers

This type of connection is simple in terms of physical work (no need to pull a cable from point A to point B). The complexity of this method lies in setting up the equipment. Let's look at it in more detail. So, we need any Wi-Fi router to which the Internet will connect (in the future we will call it the first one) and a router that works as an access point in “Repeater mode” (in the future we will call it the Second one). There are plenty of such access points, cheap and expensive, but I will offer you an access point from the TP link company “TP-Link TL-WA901N”. This “access point” is reliable and easy to configure. After we have configured and connected the Internet to the first router, we install and connect the computer to the second router (to TP-Link TL-WA901N). Now let's configure the computer to connect to the access point. Using the operating room as an example Windows systems 7 –> Go to “Start” and look there for “ Control Panel", find and click on "Network and Internet", then " Network and Sharing Center shared access " In the left column of the menu we find the item “ Changing adapter settings"go in, right-click on " Connection via local network ", select "Properties" from the drop-down list. In the checkbox list, select “ Internet Protocol Version 4 (TPC/IPv4)"And click the "properties" button. We move the point to " Use the following IP address"and make the settings:

Click "OK". Now open any browser and address bar enter 192.168.1.254 (this is the default address of the point, it should be indicated at the bottom of the point, if there is another one, enter it). Then press “Enter” or go. The authorization window “Login and Password” should appear by default “admin and admin”. Once on the page, in the left column select: “ Wireless network» -> « Wireless Settings" Opposite the inscription “Operation mode”, select Universal repeater.

Then click the “Search” button. In the list of wireless networks, look for our network and click “connect"

Then you need to click on the “save” button and reboot the access point. The next thing you need to do is configure your security settings. Let's go to " Wireless network"then select " Wireless Security" The most important thing is to set the same security settings as on the first router, otherwise the point will not work as it should.

Let's reboot the point again. Next we need to make sure that the point works as it should. Go to the “Status” tab and, while refreshing the page, look at the “Channel” If it changes, there are problems with the security settings. Let's go back and check everything again. You can also set a specific “channel” on the first device.

That's it, setup Wireless connection two routers is completed, now you can use the Internet.

How to connect a router to a router via Wi Fi

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There are times when you need to connect a second router in series to one already installed and working router. For example, to connect neighbors or expand the coverage area of ​​a wireless WiFi network. Inexperienced user This simple task can be confusing. But in fact, everything is done very simply. There are two options for connecting a second router through an existing router:
- wired
— wireless
Let's consider both methods in detail.

We connect the router to the router using a cable

The wired option, that is, connecting a second router via a network cable, is suitable for any model and is especially convenient on long distances- 50-120 meters. Its meaning is that you connect a second router to the LAN port of an existing one, that is, you expand its network.
There are two connection schemes:

LAN-WAN

That is, we connect the WAN port (on some it is signed as Internet) of the second router with a free LAN port of the first. In this case, on the second device you need to configure the connection type Dynamic IP (Dynamic IP).

It will have its own local area, from which the network of the first router will be clearly visible. But from there the mesh of the second router will no longer be visible.

LAN-LAN

We will connect the LAN port of the second router with a cable to the free LAN port of the first. With this connection method, both routers will be on the same local network and clients connected to them should see each other without problems. The only caveat is that the IP addresses of the routers may be the same. The fact is that most Wi-Fi routers use IP 192.168.1.1 by default (on some models, D-Link type, maybe this address: 192.168.0.1). Therefore, you need to go to the web interface of the second router and in the local settings section LAN networks change IP address:

For example, on 192.168.1.2 (it is clear that the first one will have the corresponding - ).
It is also necessary in mandatory disable the DHCP server on the second router, otherwise it will turn out that there will be 2 active DHCP servers in the same subnet, which cannot be allowed!

Connecting a second router via WiFi as a repeater

Many modern wireless routers can work in repeater mode and support WDS technology. Then the second router can be connected to the first as a repeater to expand the coverage area of ​​the WiFi network. It’s very convenient that you don’t need to change anything on the first device.
You just need to go to the settings of the second router, select the repeater mode (or enable WDS):

After that, select the WiFi of the first router and connect to it. Of course, to connect you need to know the password for his Wi-Fi network and enter it in the settings.
Well, that's all. If you haven’t made a mistake anywhere, now the second router is connected to the first and distributes its Wi-Fi network.

Local Computer networks They can be tiny, consisting of a couple of computers and a smartphone, to huge, covering entire areas and hundreds of subscribers. For routing in a small network, only one is needed budget router, even a USB 3G router the size of a matchbox will do, but for large networks dozens of routers are used, and they often work in different modes. How to connect two routers in different modes will be discussed further.

Mode one – peer-to-peer network

This router connection scheme satisfies the following conditions:

1. There are two independent networks. For example, neighboring houses;
2. In each of the networks in each home there are network printers and network data storages (USB hard drives with movies connected to the router);
3. One of the computers on the first network has access to the Internet, the second network does not.

The challenge is to unite these two networks network cable twisted pair so that between all computers, printers and network storages both networks were connected, and every computer on both networks had access to the Internet through that single gateway. In other words - do single network with general Internet access.

Connecting networks with routers

To implement this scheme, you need to configure both routers. Let's start with the first one, which looks at the Internet.

Setting up your first router

Go to the router settings menu and configure Internet access. The settings are entered through the web browser to which the router is connected. The router's IP address is indicated in the instructions for quick installation, can also be found on the label under the bottom of the device. As an example of configuration, we will use the TP-Link 741 ND router.

Go to the “WAN” menu item.

Setting up an Internet connection

The type of WAN connection is specified in the agreement with the provider, select it from the list, and, if necessary, enter a login and password (if the type is PPPoE).

Enabling DHCP

We specify a range of addresses by assigning a start and end address.

Wi-Fi setup

In the SSID field we indicate the network name, all other fields are left at default. If you need to protect the network, then in the security settings we specify a password for connecting to Wi-Fi.

And, lastly, we assign an IP address to the router 192.168.1.1.

Setting up a second router

We also connect the computer to the second router and go to the settings. Go to the LAN settings and assign the router the IP address 192.168.1.2.

Next, set up wireless Wi-Fi. The settings may be absolutely identical to the first router, or they may differ - it doesn’t matter. For convenience, of course, it is better that they coincide, there is only one wireless network, but during the search they will be reflected as two networks. It's not fatal though.

Save the settings and reboot the router.

Attention! Only after setting up both routers do we connect them with a twisted pair network cable! Not before setting up!

Both ends of the patch cord must be connected only to the LAN ports of both routers. The port number is not important.

That's it, we launch routers, computers, and enjoy a perfectly working computer network.

Configuration in bridge mode

Next, let's look at another mode that works in bridge mode. The difference between this scheme and the previous one is that the routers are configured to wireless Wi-Fi net. Routers from TP-Link are again used as an example.

In bridge mode, you can combine more than two routers, and, accordingly, more than two networks. The only important condition is that if other routers are used, they must support bridge mode.

Let's start by setting up the first device.

Setting up your first router

Go to the settings of the first device in which you need to change the standard IP address. This is done in the Network menu, LAN submenu.

Changing IP address

It is necessary that each of the routers have its own address, otherwise an address conflict will occur and the network will not work.

Change to 192.168.1.2. Click “Save”.

Setting Bridge Mode

Set the network name, select the channel, and check the box next to “Enable Bridges”. In the “Mac of AP1” field we enter the mac address of the second router. The address can be found in the setup instructions or on the label under the bottom of the second router.

Save the settings and reboot the router.

Setting up a second router

Important note - Wi-Fi channels (Channel) must match on both routers! If the first router looks at the Internet, then be sure to disable DHCP on the second router! The network names (SSID) of both routers may be the same, but you can assign different ones, it doesn’t matter.

A short video tutorial on setting up a bridge:

Talking about modern internet almost every person thinks about wireless technologies. They are in every home, apartment, enterprise and many other public places. An indispensable part of such technology is universal device, called router.

But despite the many advantages, many users more and more often ask one question: “Is it possible to connect a router through another router?” This is due to many reasons, the main one of which is the reduction wifi signal, passing through the walls. The problem is familiar to the owners of multi-room apartments and houses where one router is not able to provide Internet to all rooms.

The second reason may be savings. For example, two neighbors decide to connect one apartment to the Internet service, and the other is connected in series using a router.

A third option exists when old router does not have rich functionality and cannot be configured with the options offered by modern routers (working with disks, ftp server, print server, etc.).

There are two ways that connect two devices into one network. In both cases, the main condition is only a correctly configured first device, which includes the provider’s cable. The second device, depending on the connection, will need to be configured. So, what are the ways to combine two devices:

1. Using a wireless network.
2. Connection using UTP twisted pair cable.

All of them are quite simple and do not require any special knowledge. This article will tell you in detail about each method and will help guide even inexperienced users.

Connecting two routers into one network using UTP

This method has two implementation options. If the first one doesn’t work for some unknown reason, you can always try setting up the second method.

First way

The provider cable is plugged into the WAN port (usually a blue or green connector on back side router), and the connecting wire is plugged into the LAN of the first device and the WAN of the second device.

With such a connection, as a rule, the first router must be correctly configured for the Internet provider and DHCP must be enabled on its LAN ports. Typically this setting is located in the " Network connections» LAN item ( local connection). For example, on TP-Link devices this configuration can be viewed in the “Network” - LAN section.

The second device is configured for a Bridge connection. To do this, in the WAN section, select the connection type Dynamic IP. Next, if necessary, configure wireless network similar to the first device or create a new one with a different name (SSID) and password. Then save the settings and, if necessary, reboot the router. All these manipulations will allow you to receive the Internet through a cable connected to another router.

Second way

With this connection, the devices are united by being connected to a LAN - LAN. This will allow you to combine two devices into one segment home network. Both routers will issue IP addresses from shared network. The difference can only be in their names wireless communications wifi

First you need to configure the equipment correctly. First of all, you should disable the DHCP service on the second router. You should also check if they have the same IP addresses. In the case of identical device models, this is quite possible. If necessary, change to the last numbers such as 253 or 254. You can also change the subnet. For example, if the first router has the address 192.168.1.1, then the second one can be made 192.168.2.1 by specifying the first router as the gateway and setting the network mask to 23 (255.255.254.0). If you do not change the IP on both devices, an address conflict may occur. This will lead to the fact that the Internet will not work not only on the second device, but also on the first.

Connecting two routers into one network using wifi

You can combine two devices into one, thereby expanding the Internet coverage area via wireless wifi connection. This is the optimal and less expensive method. To implement it, it is simply enough to have two routers supporting the wifi relay function or WDS technology. Usually modern devices have it all on board. But to be on the safe side, you can view the user manual or directly view this information in the router settings.

The idea is that one device is configured to distribute the Internet, and the second simply acts as a repeater. All these technologies are aimed at expanding a wireless wifi network by connecting all access points or routers into one common network structure. The undoubted advantage of such a connection is the implementation this method without the use of cable connections, which makes this method attractive for places where laying wires is a big problem.

With such a connection, the main requirement must be fulfilled. All points or routers must operate on the same radio frequency (2.4 or 5 GHz), have the same encryption method and password to connect to the network. IN general structure The first router should be configured to the Internet provider and distribute it further along the chain. The second, third and so on work as a repeater.

The following article will discuss setting popular models routers using WDS technology and as a simple repeater. They all have the same operating principle and configuration. The only difference is the location of settings in the menu and additional functions.

Asus router as a repeater

Settings Asus router as a repeater is simple and does not take much time. First you need to connect to the device and proceed to configure it in the web interface. To do this, you need to open any browser and enter 192.168.1.1 in the address bar. If the page does not open, you need to contact the manual or reset all settings to factory settings and repeat the procedure.

If the connection is successful, the user will see a window where he will need to enter his username and password. Next, the main menu will open, where you need to go to the “Administration” tab and select “Operation Mode”. Here you can see options for how the router works with a wifi network ( Wireless router, access point, repeater). Select the required item (repeater mode) and press the “Save” button. After which the device will reboot.

Then you need to tell the router which wireless wifi network should be rebroadcast. To do this, connect to the router again and go to the web interface. Here we find and click on the button “ Quick setup Internet." After this, a window should open where a list of available wireless wifi networks in the area will be presented. Select the one you need, enter the password and click the “Connect” button. If everything is entered correctly, the router will connect to the network and will relay the Internet to the first device via wifi, thereby expanding the signal coverage area.

TP-Link router enabling WDS technology

To connect a TP-Link router to another device via a wireless wifi network using WDS technology, you must enter the settings menu in the device’s web interface. To do this, enter the IP of the router specified in the manual or the sticker on the back of the device in the address bar of the browser. After which, after a few seconds, a window should appear where you need to provide your login information. As a rule, by default Admin is the login and password (if this data has not been changed previously).

After this, the user will see the main menu window, where it is necessary to select the “Wireless Settings” item on the left side and the “Settings” sub-item wireless mode" Here, you will need to select the “Enable WDS technology” section. After these manipulations below, more settings will become available to the user, where he should click on the “Search” button.

In a few seconds the system will display a table with all available networks, to which you can connect. The list will provide information about the network name, signal level, channel number, etc. By selecting the necessary network you need to click on the connect button.

Afterwards the user will have to enter a password and click the “Save” button. After the reboot, the router will connect to the first point and begin working together.

D-Link router as a repeater

In device models D-Link connection also performed in several simple steps. The first thing you need to do is get into the device’s web interface. To do this, enter the IP device in the address bar of the browser. Then enter the login information in the authorization window (the default login is Admin, the password is left blank). In the menu that appears, find the line “Advanced settings” (in older versions this item sounds like “configure manually”).