Looking for help with two routers

Prem-aka-Prince
[Abacus]
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 2

14 September 2009, 06:46 pm

Hey guys, I came here hoping I could find some help from people who know what they're talking about. I live in a student home in England, and we're using Virgin broadband as that is what the estate agents have left us with...
the thing is, there are seven of us, each with laptops (wireless), and among us five games consoles...
In other words, the little router downstairs (what appears to be a standard rounded white netgear router I've been seeing for years -yes I know they're not all exactly the same but-) doesn't seem like it'll cope. I believe we have broadband of the 10mb variety... the estate agents aren't very helpful in providing us with information, though. There's a small Virgin device attatched to the router.
What I would like to do, ideally, is connect a second netgear router (DG834GT) on the top floor (there are telephone... sockets. in the walls. you know ^^; ). I'm not really bothered whether the different devices can 'talk to each other', the most important thing is I can get everything to work smoothly.

Well, that was a rather long (and probably somewhat aggrevating) explanation, but if anybody knowledgeable in the matter can help me, it would be greatly appreciated. Willing to provide more information as necessary...

lawli56
[Abacus]
Joined: 19 Sep 2009
Posts: 3

19 September 2009, 02:37 am

Basically what you're talking about is using an access point to extend and strengthen the network signal from the router, so they use the same SSID and need to be able to talk to one another.

Personally, due to it's age, I would replace the original router attached to the virgin media modem as modern n-series modems are far more powerful than the older series and it would slow down your network.

My recommendation for your extender, considering you have 5 games consoles in the house:

http://www.netgear.co.uk/wnhdeb111.php

But you're also going to be asking an awful lot of a mere 10mb connection so don't expect blistering speeds. But you could always upgrade that too.

Edited by lawli56 (Member) on 19 September 2009 at 01:57 am

Edited by lawli56 (Member) on 19 September 2009 at 01:58 am

Edited by lawli56 (Member) on 19 September 2009 at 02:06 am

Edited by lawli56 (Member) on 19 September 2009 at 02:13 am

beniji
[Abacus]
Joined: 12 Nov 2009
Posts: 11

22 November 2009, 04:32 pm

i've had good experience with linksys but not with netgear kit.

dillonlaw
[Abacus]
Joined: 22 Dec 2009
Posts: 2

22 December 2009, 08:35 pm

Get an ADSL filter for connecting your other Router and Phone Lines and Sky Boxes.

Image here:

jack17938
[Slide Rule]
Joined: 18 Dec 2009
Posts: 80

22 December 2009, 10:27 pm

Are you sure it's 10mbps, try and check. If the wireless router hasn't had it's settings changed then to access the control panel try:

URL: [ type into a browser like a normal website address ] 192.168.0.1
Username: admin
Password: password

It will tell you the spped there, it will also allow you to control what access' it.

Rather than buying a new router, you could attempt to assign each machine/console with an unique IP address, this can stop the machines re-acting with each other but it won't speed anything up. A new router could be in order, look around, the best option is to go to PC World and ask a member of staff, if they do not know a 'Tech Guy' will help you. You will get a good response from them and they will assist you with a purchase.

Cheers.

JG

Prem-aka-Prince
[Abacus]
Joined: 14 Sep 2009
Posts: 2

24 December 2009, 11:15 am

Thank you all for your help, I was able to solve the problem somewhat and though it wasn't because of your advice, your help is still good, and for that I appreciate your replies. After this I think this topic could be closed, but since I don't know how to do that, I suppose I shall just let it go dead until it is eventually deleted, though it may help anyone with similar problems.
jack17938, I did actually assign most machines an IP and though it made it easier for me to see who was on at any given time, it didn't really help much. In the end I went out and bought a new wireless router as you say (new of course meaning 1 year after initial release, as that is how most 'we tell you what to buy and you buy it' street shops these days work), and it has been much better. The staff man in the computer section of the unnamed electronics store didn't really understand Dual band, so I couldn't help but feel a little annoyed that I knew more about the product than he did, but that didn't matter too much since not only did they not stock the latest and best routers, but the non-dual band router I eventually settled with (more like accepted my fate) will do me for now, as we do not yet have any N-devices. Hopefully it will last the two years I expect it to before needing something better (such as the dual-band I was hoping for...). Thank you for your help jack17938.
lawli56, if you are reading this, thank you ever so much for being the first and -for a long time- only reply. As a matter of fact the router I ended up getting is similar (you may know how netgear loves to make countless very simlar products where you have to dive into the specs before you can learn exactly why the old one isn't as great as they paint it). As I said, this has helped keep our network running almost all the time, and as you said the 'more powerful' router just seems to be much more able to cope with all that stress.
beniji and dillonlaw, thank you for your sentiments, the problem has now been sorted. =)

To anyone reading this, I hope this has helped you in some way, and good day to you.

Looking for help with two routers

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