Connecting two routers with one modem is possible in two ways – one router can be an access point or work as a range extender. Also, such a connection enables multiple devices to get online and connect to the Internet simultaneously without slowing it down. That said, if you have ever wondered how to connect two routers with one modem easily, you will find the answer in this article.
How to Connect Two Routers With One Modem
In order to connect two different routers with your modem, the main one must be connected with the modem. In contrast, the second one is connected to the main router wirelessly or via an Ethernet cable. If you connect the router wirelessly, it can expand the range of the network and cover areas in your place where there is no network. However, you can also establish a wired connection to receive a stable network connection.
The Process of Connecting Two Routers With One Modem
Although home networks typically use one router, having two routers can give a lot of advantages. Here is what you need to do if you are wondering how to connect two routers with one modem:
- Plug the coaxial Internet cable (a cable that provides Internet access) into the coaxial connector of your modem.
- Next, attach the modem to a power outlet and ensure it is powered on.
- Connect one end of the Ethernet cable with the modem’s Ethernet port.
- Correspondingly, connect the second end to the WAN port of the main router.
- Reset the router so that you can start with the default settings.
- Turn on the first router and attach the Ethernet cable from one LAN port of the router with the Ethernet port on your computer.
- Next, open your browser and enter the IP address to log in and set up your router.
- Begin to set up your second router by pressing and holding the reset button.
- Attach the Ethernet cable on the LAN port on the first and the WAN port on the second router.
- Power on the second router and attach your device to the LAN port of the second router.
- Finally, open the configuration page with the IP address of the second router and set it up in the same way.
Setting Up the Routers
As can be seen, the second router gets access to an Internet connection through the first router. However, before starting the setup process, it is necessary to ensure that both routers are compatible and can work according to your needs.
Therefore, when you are getting all the necessary devices, ensure that the second router supports WDS bringing to extend your network. If they are compatible, you can start the setup process. That said, to get a network connection, it is necessary to set up both routers properly. Let’s get into more details on how to achieve that.
Set up the Main Router
To begin the setup process, you need to enter the IP address of the router into the URL bar on the browser and click ‘Enter’ to access the router’s admin page. Before entering the page, you will be prompted to provide the necessary username and password.
You can find the default data online and in the router’s manual. On the menu, click on Connectivity, select Local Network, and then click on the checkbox to enable the DHCP server.
Set up the Second Router
To set up the second router, you must connect the router’s Ethernet cable to your computer and follow the same steps. Locate ‘DHCP server’ on the configuration page and disable it on the second router.
You also need to look for Wireless Settings on the configuration page and select ‘WDS,’ ‘Bridge Mode,’ ‘Bridged,’ or ‘Repeater’, depending on the presented options. Don’t forget to finalize the process and click the ‘Save’ button to confirm your changes.
The Benefits of Using Two Routers
Now that we have provided an answer on connecting two routers with one modem, we will proceed with the benefits you can get from doing so.
When having two routers, the second one can work as a backup router in case the first one fails for any reason. Moreover, separate routers allow you to attach more hardwired devices and isolate devices that need heavy network traffic.
Furthermore, if you have a larger home or are using multiple devices, adding another router to the network system may provide better network coverage and improve the performance of the Internet.
Additional information
Having two routers on the same network provides better support for mixed setups. This means that some wired devices can connect to one router and others wirelessly to the second router.
Moreover, the network can be even more secure when you have two routers instead of just one router. If you are having difficulties connecting the two routers, you can check whether they are correctly configured and whether each router has a unique IP address.
Access Point or a Switch
Besides using the router as a network extender, you can configure the second router to work as an access point or an Ethernet network switch. This arrangement doesn’t create a subnetwork, but it is an excellent option for those who like to extend Internet access.
It is necessary to plug the Ethernet cable into a free port of a second router except the uplink port and connect it to any port of the first router to set it up. That said, the configuration is different, and you must configure the device for either bridge or repeater mode.
Whether you have wireless or wired routers, you need to check the router’s IP address and ensure it doesn’t conflict with other devices and that the DHCP address range fits inside the first router.
Summary
Our article thoroughly discussed how to connect two routers with one modem quickly and effortlessly. The connection process is straightforward and not time-consuming, so if you are searching for a simple way to connect your two routers, follow the instructions we have provided. Moreover, having two routers provides many advantages, which is why more and more people are tending towards such a network system.