How to connect one router to another to expand the network? - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

Prerequisite – Router

Step-1 : Set up Primary Router

To set up your primary router, connect the Ethernet cable provided by your internet service provider which carries internet to the WAN port of a router. On many routers, the “WAN” port is also labelled as “Internet”.

Once your primary router is installed and internet is working properly, there are two methods to extend your network.

Method 1 –

Step-2 : Setting up Secondary Router via Ethernet Cable

Set up a secondary router to expand the network. In order to do that, take an ethernet cable and to connect one of that cable to the LAN port of primary router which has an internet connection. Take the other of ethernet cable and insert it in WAN port of secondary router.

Step-3 : Configuring your Secondary Router

To login into secondary router, turn over the router and enter the website on browser written in front of login details. Once you have logged in router using username and password:

1. Set internet connection as DHCP.
2. Set up your WiFi router name.
3. Set Router Password.
4. Save and Apply.

After you have clicked save and apply, your secondary router is now set up and ready for use. This secondary router has extended your network.

Method 2 –

Note –
Before performing this method, make sure bridging is enabled on primary router.

Step-2 : Setting up Secondary Router as Wireless Repeater

To set up a secondary router as wireless repeater, keep the secondary router at a place where good signal quality of primary WiFi router is available. If signals received are less, then this method might not work properly.

Step-3 : Configuring Secondary Router as Wireless Repeater
Login into secondary router in the same way as explained in Method 1: Step 3. Once logged in, follow the steps :

1. Go to Wireless Page.
2. Set up your WiFi router name.
3. Set Router Password.
4. Save and Apply.
5. Go to Wireless Repeater Section on Wireless Page.
6. Enable wireless repeater option, if disabled.
7. Click Site Survey Button.
8. Select the primary router name from list of WiFi available.
9. Enter the password of primary router in pre-shared key section.
10. Click Apply.

There is a Wireless page in which you need to set up the SSID and Password of Secondary Router. Then, you need to go to the wireless repeater section on Wireless Page. There, after enabling wireless repeater option and after survey is done, a list of WiFi names will appear whose signal is accessible by secondary router. Select the name of the primary router and enter the password of the primary router. After completion of above steps, your network will expand as secondary router will act as Wireless Repeater.

Note –
Internet Speed received via method 1 is always greater than method 2. Therefore, to expand network with good internet speed, use method 1.