2 wireless access points 1 network

[Condi]

I'm trying to use an old router to work as an access point for the internet at home, as the signal in some parts is terrible when you get far away from the router.

The main router is a new Plusnet router (a BT Home Hub, something), and the 2nd point I'm trying to configure is a BT HomeHub 5.

I'm following instructions from here;
https://support.bluos.net/hc/en-us/articles/360000...

2 questions -

Firstly where can I change the connection IP of the second router? Nowhere in the settings can I find the Internet Gateway IP address?

Secondly, I seem to have had some success, my laptop is now connecting to the 2nd router wirelessly and connecting to the internet through that, but my phone trys to connect and comes up with the error 'Failed to Obtain IP address'. When changing the settings I turned off DHCP on the 2nd router, so shouldn't the first router issue the IP address? I'm also a little confused as to howcome the laptop is fine, but the phone isnt?

EDIT - seems I forgot to change then channel setting in the 5GHz band and now the phone is connecting too.

Edited by Condi on Saturday 21st December 19:12

[ARHarh]

The ip setting is in "advaneced settings/home network/ip Adresses/" and make sure the DHCP server is turned off on the second router.

[Condi]

Sorry to bring up an old thread. I've managed to successfully set the network up, but are having an issue with the IP addresses.

So the main router is set to assign IP's by turning off DHCP on the 2nd router, but the problem is devices which connect to the 2nd router first are connecting to the network, but do not have internet access, I believe because the 2nd router is not issuing a correct IP address.

Is there a setting I've missed somewhere?

[megaphone]

You need to set the second router in 'bridge' mode or similar.

[Spare tyre]

Usually troublesome

Not pulling your leg here, try rotating your router 90 degrees on various axis

We have a decent sized place and I was fiddling like you were, did the rotation trick and it worked a charm

I work in IT so know what I’m doing, but keeping it simple always wins

[Condi]

Spare tyre said:

Not pulling your leg here, try rotating your router 90 degrees on various axis

I work in IT so know what I’m doing, but keeping it simple always wins

Hmm... IT guy tells me to 'turn it round', sounds like something from the IT Crowd! Will try it though (as long as nobody is looking!)

megaphone said:

You need to set the second router in 'bridge' mode or similar.

How would I do this please?

[Bikerjon]

Honestly just get a 2 node mesh system and save yourself a lot of strife!

[MintyScot]

Just to confirm how the setup should be.

First BT router connected direct to the internet
IP address should be 192.168.1.254
DHCP left on

Second BT router connected to first router using ideally an ethernet cable.
IP address would be 192.168.1.254 however you should change this. I would suggest 192.168.1.1
DHCP should be turned off

You should not have to do anything else.

[anonymous-user]

You are not getting internet because it isn't setup right (the second router). Most likely you have not set the default gateway.

2nd router config (assuming main DHCP router is 182 168.1.1 , replace this with whatever it actually is).

DHCP server = off
IP address = manual
IP = 192.168.1.250
Netmask = 255.255.255.0
Default gateway = 192.168.1.1

On the main router go into IP address reservations and reserve 182.168.1.250 for you second routers permanent use.

The default gateway is vital as this tells all computers that connect to the second router where to go to find the internet (the first router). This is the thing most people forget. Without it your networking will work, but no internet as the default gateway is the gateway to the outside - the internet.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 30th January 04:25

[anonymous-user]

What was it in the end OP?

[Condi]

Not sure, tbh.

I've set everything up correctly, I think, but sometimes my phone will connect the 2nd router and fail to get an IP address, and so no internet. If I then walk close to the 1st router, it will pick up an IP address and work fine, even when the connection switches to the 2nd router.

Laptop seems to be fine though connecting to router 2.


I've accepted that sometimes I'll have to walk down stairs with my phone if I need it on the network. Other times it will connect just fine though.


Sorry, not very helpful!