Connecting a switch to the cable modem and then two wireless routers

musicmanuk · 19-02-2010, 17:56

After some discussion with Virgin Media over the quality of service and the price I am paying, they have decided to "sweeten me up" by sending a new cable modem (ambit 256) and a wireless router. This is the first wireless router I have received from Virgin Media, although I have been using one of my own for some time. It's connected via a long ethernet cable from the modem (downstairs) to an office (upstairs). Wireless signal is OK upstairs, but could be better downstairs. Can I use the second wireless router via an ethernet switch connected to the cable modem? I know I connect one wireless router to another using one of the LAN ports, but this is not want I want to do, as it would mean another very long LAN cable to connect two routers, upstairs / downstairs.

Some cable companies wil give out 2 IP address per cable modem, but I don't know about Virgin Media. I am on an original C&W network, which then became NTL, then Virgin Media.

Can anyone help please?

Turkey Machine · 22-02-2010, 13:28

I don't think what you're after is possible, but you could possibly make either the first or second router as an access point only, connecting into the first router.

Stuart · 22-02-2010, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmanuk

After some discussion with Virgin Media over the quality of service and the price I am paying, they have decided to "sweeten me up" by sending a new cable modem (ambit 256) and a wireless router. This is the first wireless router I have received from Virgin Media, although I have been using one of my own for some time. It's connected via a long ethernet cable from the modem (downstairs) to an office (upstairs). Wireless signal is OK upstairs, but could be better downstairs. Can I use the second wireless router via an ethernet switch connected to the cable modem? I know I connect one wireless router to another using one of the LAN ports, but this is not want I want to do, as it would mean another very long LAN cable to connect two routers, upstairs / downstairs.

Some cable companies wil give out 2 IP address per cable modem, but I don't know about Virgin Media. I am on an original C&W network, which then became NTL, then Virgin Media.

Can anyone help please?

When they were NTL, VM used to give out two IPs if you took the Xbox live add on. They have since stopped this. You will need to connect one router to a lan port on the other, and disable DHCP on one of them. Either this or set one to be a wireless access point only. This is exactly the same setup I have. Well, apart from the fact that I am on Be, so one of my routers is also an ADSL modem.

Kymmy · 22-02-2010, 13:50

The ONLY way this would work is if you went for the business broadband service and also took out the static IP option..

Otherwise just turn off NAT and DHCP on the 2nd router and use an ethernet cable from one lan port to another (do not use the WAN port on the 2nd router)... IP gateways and DNS should point towards the first router

musicmanuk · 22-02-2010, 14:49

Thank you for the replies. I think the best option is one mentioned by Stuart, and I will give that one a try.

Keith