One router is enough for the network to function. However, when you replace your old router with a newer, faster one, you can waste time trying to dispose of it, or you can turn it into an access point (AP). Placing this homemade AP at the far end of the house and connecting it to a new router (via a long network cable) is the best way to cover your home with Wi-Fi. How to do it?
Your home Wi-Fi router has a built-in AP (or even two or three built-in access points in the case of dual-band or tri-band routers) in addition to its function as a primary router. Wireless clients such as tablets, etc. can also connect.
To get started, let's turn to the new router, which is located on the home network as router A. The old one will be converted to router B. The task is to make router B an external AP for router A.
Many routers over the past few years have been able to operate in AP mode, which can be enabled through the interface.
Note: Some routers have access point mode (you will see this in the feature list if available). If this is the case for your Router B, you can simply enable this mode and it will start working as an access point.
This guide is only needed for Wi-Fi routers that do not have this feature (or if you don’t know how to enable this feature) and is only suitable for routers that have a web interface, which fortunately is the case for most routers. ...
General guidance (advanced)
If you are familiar with configuring routers and networks in general, you need to do the following.
1. Cover the WAN () port of Router B with a piece of tape. You want to avoid using the port as this will prevent you from converting the router to an access point.
2. Determine the range of Router A by its IP address. For example, if Router A's IP address is 192.168.1.1, then you can safely assume that the IP pool ranges from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254.
3. Manually set the IP of Router B to an unused IP in the range of Router A. For example, you can make it 192.168.1.2. Just make sure you do not have and will not be using this IP address by any other device.
4. Disable DHCP function in Router B.
That's all. Now, if you connect Router B (which is no longer a router) to Router A with a network cable (LAN port to LAN port), it will function as an access point, giving you the best Wi-Fi range for your devices.
Detailed description (for beginners)
If you are new to the web, first of all, figure out how to configurehome router. When you're done with that, follow these steps.
Step 1: Disable the WAN (Internet) port router B.
If the router does not have its own AP mode, you should completely avoid using the WAN port. Using this port will cause the router to function as a router, because that is the intended role of the device. Cover the port with tape, for example, to avoid accidental use.
text-align: center; "> The IP address of the router is easy to find out over the network
Step 2: Find out what the range of Router A is.
This is a two-part step. First, you need to find out the IP address of Router A. Connect your computer to Router A via Wi-Fi or with a network cable through one of the LAN ports.
If it is a Windows computer:
- Run Command Prompt (you can search cmd from the Start menu in Windows 10 or Windows 8, just type cmd when you are in the Metro Start Menu and then press Enter).
- In the Command Prompt window, enter ipconfig and press Enter. You will see many, possibly incomprehensible numbers and words, but the IP address is listed on the right in the line Main gate: This is the address of the router. This is the number you need.
Or on a Mac:
System Preferences> Network> select the currently connected connection (you should see a green dot indicating that the connection is working)> Advanced> under the TCP / IP tab, note "Router:". The router's IP address will be displayed next to it.
After you have identified the IP address of the router (which is always four groups of numbers separated by a period between each group), use it to determine the range of IP addresses. The range of numbers to choose from uses the same numbers in the first three groups, with the last group in the range 1 to 254. The router's current IP address will not be available for use.
For example, if the router's IP address is 192.168.1.1, then the IP address pool will range from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.254. If the IP of the router is 192.168.1.254 then the IP range will be 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.253. When a device is connected to Router A and has an IP address within its range, then it will be accepted within the network.
This guide assumes 192.168.1.1 is the IP of Router A. This will probably be your case too, because many home routers (from Netgear, Asus, D-Link, etc.) tend to use this Default IP address.
Step 3: Set the IP address of Router B as an unused IP within the IP range of Router A.
Connect your computer to Router B via Wi-Fi or with a network cable through one of the LAN ports to find out the current IP of the router (repeat the first part of step 2).
Log into the web interface of the router by pointing the browser to its IP address. In the interface, go to the section where you can change your default IP address. Depending on the router, this section is usually called Network, LAN, or Settings. Change this IP address to one of those in the IP pool defined in the second part of step 2 above. For example, if Router A's IP is 192.168.1.1, you can make Router B's IP 192.168.1.2 (make sure you don't manually assign this IP to another device, if so, please select a different IP) and then save the changes. Router B must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
text-align: center; "> Disabling the DHCP server function of the old router and assigning an unused IP to the primary router will allow the old router to act as an access point when its WAN port is not in use.
Step 4: Disable DHCP Server function in Router B.
Log back into the interface of router B, pointing the browser to the new IP address manually from step 3 (in our case, it was 192.168.1.2), and then go to the Configuring local network or network section again. Disable DHCP server function here. Save your changes and you're done.
(Depending on the interface, some routers allow you to do step 3 and 4 as one without rebooting.)
Now Router B, when connected to Router A with a network cable, will act as both a switch (allowing you to use its LAN port to add wired devices to the network) and as an access point.
This is how you can use your old router.
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At the IFA exhibition, which was held in Berlin in early September, at the TP-LINK stand, after examining the new products, the product engineer Logan Luo, who was talking about them, asked me a question: what functions of the router I personally use and what, in my opinion, they know about additional opportunities for owners and potential buyers. An interesting conversation ensued, the results of which can be useful to many owners of wireless routers, regardless of the brand. A router is such a simple device that many buyers are limited to only basic settings. Included, it works. However, there are a whole host of features and usage patterns that users don't think about. But in vain.
Parental Control and Access Control
Not everything available is useful - the truth is simple. Responsible parents remember her constantly. A first grader who has mastered Internet access is no longer a child prodigy, but an ordinary child. And to protect him from unwanted information is important for the normal development of the individual. Instead of persuasion or a total ban, the issue can be resolved by purely technical means.
In the same TP-LINK routers, the restrictions are divided into two points - parental control and access control. They differ in their configuration possibilities.
Parental control allows you to simply restrict Internet access to several sites, for example, the site of the lyceum and sites with educational materials. The MAC address of the monitored device is used as an identifier. This means that if there are several devices on the home network, then the restrictions can only be applied to the computer / tablet used by the child. The whitelist is time-based, i.e. restrictions imposed during the day can be automatically lifted in the evening. Access control is designed to a greater extent for use in business, where the system administrator can create a whole set of various rules governing the conditions for Internet access from different computers, not only at the level of site addresses, but also at the level of protocols.
The second life of an old device
Many people have old access points / routers left after upgrading their home wireless infrastructure. They are still workable, but have already depreciated and their profitable sale on the secondary market is futile.
Thanks to the WDS (Wireless Distribution System) technology, which was originally intended to expand the coverage area, you can quickly make a network for guests from an old access point.
The advantage of this solution is that it is easy to turn on / off - just plug in the power supply or remove it. Many modern wireless routers allow you to create a guest network, but to enable / disable it, you need to go to the web interface.
If the network name was set on the guest router differently from the main one, then after turning it off it will be difficult to get into the main network - you will need to find out its name or go through all the available options.
Router for the traveler
Many people buy a compact wireless 3G router in order to connect to the Internet via a 3G mobile network. However, this little box can do a lot of useful things.
TP-LINK TL-MR3040 - a typical representative of modern mobile routers In the access point mode, such a router will allow you to organize your own secure local network everywhere - in the client's office, on the train, hotel, car, etc. Even without Internet access, this is very useful, for example, for data exchange.
It is not always necessary to pay for Internet access. Both in our country and abroad there are many free networks, but their use is fraught with a certain amount of risk.
A mobile router operating in WISP (wireless Internet service provider) mode can connect to existing wireless networks and distribute the Internet on its own. This is useful in different situations.
First, there is a slight increase in security. Traffic can still be intercepted, but getting behind the router is already more difficult, the computer's network resources are not visible to everyone.
Secondly, having connected to the network with a password, you no longer have to enter it on each device again (it is especially inconvenient to do this on cameras with Wi-Fi modules that are not equipped with touch screens). They will automatically connect to the router's own network.
Thirdly, a router in WISP mode can be used to expand the coverage area. It is enough to place it in a place where the signal of the main router is still strong. Such situations are not uncommon in hotels: the connection is confident at the door, but on the balcony or in the back of the room it is already unstable. The power of the mobile router's own transmitter is enough to cover the entire number.
Personal FTP cloud
Cloud technologies have a bright future, but today they are only in the first stage of development. To solve the simplest problem - to provide access to information from anywhere in the world where there is Internet, you can use ready-made services, there are many of them. But upon closer examination, it turns out that most of the free accounts have significant limitations, both in terms of disk space and file size, monthly traffic, data transfer speed, etc. Add even more concerns about the availability of information hosted on foreign servers, at least to their owners.
The USB port allows you to connect an external storage device, the contents of which can be made available on the local network or via the Internet Routers equipped with a USB connector allow you to provide access to the contents of the connected drive from any device on the local network. This is the most common use case. However, if the provider provides a real (white) IP address, then, after performing a simple setup, you can open access to files on a flash drive or USB hard drive and from the Internet.
FTP is convenient because there is a large selection of clients for all desktop and mobile operating systems, and the security / ease of configuration ratio is at the proper level.
Few people are worried about exploring the capabilities of their Wi-Fi router. There is internet, and okay. In fact, a good Wi-Fi router can do a lot of cool things. And in order to use all the possibilities, you do not need to have special knowledge, download alternative firmware and study hundreds of pages on forums. How it works - we will showfor example, a router that can be bought for 2,500-2,700 rubles.
1. Connect your network to your neighbor's Wi-Fi. Or anyone else
Let's say a signal from a nearby cafe finishes you. Or, out of the kindness of his soul, a neighbor gave you a password for his Wi-Fi. Instead of connecting to the network from a smartphone, tablet or computer, connect to it through a router, and use the free Internet from the router. This feature is called "" (WISP), and it has several advantages:
- Better signal... If on a smartphone the wireless grid shows one or two stripes and works somehow, then from the router the same grid will give its full speed, and the connection will be much more stable.
- Safely... You never know how security is going on an unfamiliar Wi-Fi network. When connecting to someone else's Wi-Fi through a router, you hide behind the built-in security tools and do not shine on your devices and their contents in someone else's network.
- Backup internet that connects automatically... If something suddenly breaks with your main provider, the router will automatically switch to the backup channel, and you most likely will not even notice it and will be able to continue using the Internet.
- Backup internet from smartphone... Often, in case of problems with the Internet, we use a smartphone as an access point. The signal from him is weak and hits close. Create an access point on your smartphone, connect to the router as a "wireless provider", and you will get a good stable connection on all your devices.
2. Use multiple providers on one router
This feature is called Multi WAN. It allows you to connect as many providers as there are ports on your router, and additionally add a USB modem.
Let's say you have an Internet connection from two providers at once. One is the main one, the second is the reserve one with the cheapest tariff. It is a good practice to stay online even if something is wrong with the main provider.
In order not to swap cables every time, not to reconfigure the router or computer, and not to do other time-consuming and energy-consuming things, just plug both cables into the router. The main one - to the standard port (it is usually of a different color), and the backup one - to any other. Configure the router once, and in the future everything will work and switch automatically.
3. Share the Internet from a USB modem through a router
This is possible if the router has a USB port, and you have a USB modem from a cellular operator, with which you can access the Network from a laptop from anywhere.
Connect the modem to the USB port of the router and perform a quick software setup. Now you have a backup mobile Internet that will turn on automatically if the main provider has problems.
This life hack will allow you to use the Wi-Fi network not only at the dacha, where there is no fixed Internet, but also during the trip. On the Internet, you can find an adapter adapter to power the router from the cigarette lighter in the car. Connect a USB modem to the router, and all your passengers will be able to use the Internet while traveling - if, of course, there is a cellular network signal.
If you have an external hard drive, connect it to your router via USB.
Activate the ability to download torrents in the router settings.
You can remotely launch and manage downloads via the My.Keenetic Android application.
Downloading and distributing torrents through a router takes place without the participation of a computer. By default, upload and download speeds are set so as not to clog the entire channel. You can change the speed in the settings. You won't get more than 5 MB / s from the budget Keenetic Omni, but the Internet will not slow down when loading.
The router can not only download, but also broadcast video to the TV via DLNA, and in the torrent settings, you can select a sequential torrent download to start watching the movie before the download is complete.
5. Access your router and home devices from anywhere
A free proprietary KeenDNS service is available for all "kineticists", replacing any other DDNS services (such as No-IP and DynDNS) in a situation where you have a white but dynamic IP address.
But what if the address is gray, as, for example, for almost all cellular operators for the above connection via a USB modem or backup?
KeenDNS solves this problem:
- Gives to the router even behind a gray address by a convenient name like home.keenetic.link without the hassle of obtaining and registering an SSL certificate;
- Opens access behind the gray address not only to the router, but also to the devices connected to it (for example, a heating boiler control system or the already mentioned torrent pump) by a friendly name like device.home.keenetic.link.
- Provides access to your home network over an all-pervasive SSTP tunnel that can be easily configured on Windows or via an Android app.
6. Create Time Machine backups
Apple stopped manufacturing its routers, but the need to backup MacBooks has not gone away.
Turn on Time Machine backups in your router's software settings. You will need an external hard drive again - now it will also become a backup storage. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to format it into the apple file system HFS +, because the router can also make backups on an NTFS disk.
If you need a high backup speed, Keenetic Omni may not be able to cope. Look towards the top-end Keenetic Giga or Ultra routers.
7. Control the flash drive from your smartphone without OTG cable
This function will allow you to record or view files if the computer is not at hand, and the smartphone does not support OTG, or the OTG cable has gone somewhere.
Connect the USB flash drive to the router and launch a file manager on your smartphone like "ES Explorer" with support for network access. You will have full access to the contents of the flash drive, regardless of its file system.
8. Turn your router into a telephone exchange. Or something else
In the USB port of the router, you can plug not only a modem or disk, but also a proprietary DECT set-top box. With it, your router will work as a wireless telephone station with support for up to 6 handsets. Everything you need for this is possible without special knowledge.
Support for third-party software packages () in the official firmware turns the router into a real Swiss knife with a bunch of bells and whistles. You can put the rTorrent torrent client, the Asterisk IP PBX, another DLNA server, and much more into the router. In routers Keenetic does not change the main firmware, and you do not lose your warranty.
9. Save on VPN
Thanks to the latest events on the Russian Internet, everyone now knows about VPN and its advantages.
With the help of a router, you can save a lot by buying just one license for one device from some good VPN provider, but use the service on all your devices at once.
To do this, it is enough to turn on the VPN not on one of the devices, but directly on the router. Now any smartphone, tablet or computer connected to the router will automatically access the Internet via VPN. If this does not suit you, go to the router settings and specify which gadgets should work through the VPN and which should not.
If you only want to use a VPN to improve your internet security, you don't need overseas VPN servers, which means you don't need to pay for them either. With a white IP, you can safely access the Internet through your own VPN while away from home. As a bonus, you will have access to your home network and its contents from anywhere in the world.
10. Make Wi-Fi faster and more stable
Most routers operate in the 2.4 GHz band. When several routers are located side by side - for example, in an apartment building - they interfere with each other. Imagine a bazaar: a bunch of people, everyone is shouting, nothing is clear. It's the same with routers, only the quality and speed of the Internet drops.
The range is divided into several channels. For example, Vasya's neighbor's router works on channel 6, and Petya's on channel 11. The router is able to monitor the current congestion of channels and even automatically switch to the least populated ones, but neighboring routers can have the same function. What to do?
Create as many networks as your router allows. Give the networks dissimilar names so that your neighbors don't see through your cunning plan (and don't forget to put passwords). All networks you create will be on the same channel. For any Wi-Fi analyzer, the channel will seem congested, and therefore it will be considered inappropriate to create a grid in it. This means that the channel will remain completely at your disposal.
Why can't my router do that?
Much depends on the developer of the router software. Some devices receive updates and all the newest chips, while others remain on the old version. Users of the latter have to get out and install custom firmware at their own peril and risk, losing the warranty on the device.
Keenetic uses a unified operating system that is constantly being improved and adds new features to all router models. 
It doesn't matter if you use top-end Keenetic Giga or budget Keenetic Lite - you will always have the latest version of the operating system with all the new features.
Naturally, hardware constraints come into play. It is impossible to grow a USB port to the router using a software update. A device built for 2.4 GHz only will never learn to operate in the 5 GHz band. But if the filling of the device meets the requirements for the new function to work, then you will receive it regardless of your Keenetic model.
A modern router, as a rule, is not just a router, it combines several devices. It can perform various tasks, one of which we will talk about in this article. There is a device such as a Wi-Fi receiver or adapter. Its task is to receive a Wi-Fi signal, in other words, to connect a specific device to a Wi-Fi network. These adapters are built into laptops, tablets, smartphones, TVs, etc.
There are also external adapters, for example for stationary computers (I wrote about them in the article), or for TVs. But what if we need to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi the same stationary computer, or TV, which does not have a built-in Wi-Fi receiver. And we also do not have an external one. We don't want to buy it, or there is simply no such opportunity.
In such a situation, an ordinary router can help us out, it can act as a Wi-Fi network receiver. That is, it will receive the Internet via Wi-Fi from our wireless network, and transmit it to the device (TV, computer) over a network cable.
It should be noted right away that there are routers in which there is a separate "Adapter" operating mode. But in most devices, you will need to configure the repeater, bridge (WDS), client, or wireless connection to the ISP mode.
Now we will take a closer look at these modes on routers from different manufacturers, and find out how to use the router as a wireless receiver. Consider the most popular manufacturers: TP-LINK, ASUS, ZyXEL, D-Link, Netis. Look for the heading below with information on your device.
Making a Wi-Fi receiver from a ZyXEL router
I decided to start with ZyXEL devices. From the line of ZyXEL Keenetic routers. This company has routers that support a variety of operating modes. And including there is the "Adapter" mode. On devices with newer NDMS V2 firmware, which is blue in appearance.
In addition, everything is set up very simply and clearly. And everything works. I have already checked all the modes of operation of the ZyXEL router (using the Keenetic Start model as an example), and of course prepared detailed instructions. We just put the router near a computer or TV, connect them via a network cable, set up the "Adapter" mode, and you're done.
If you suddenly do not have such a mode of operation, then you can (wireless connection to ISP)... By the way, this method can be used on older versions of devices.
Media Bridge Mode
Only in the process of writing this article, on the more expensive Asus RT-N18U model, I discovered the Media Bridge operating mode, which suits us much better than the amplifier mode. (even if you look at the scheme of work in the control panel).
But Asus RT-N12 + does not have this mode of operation. Which, in principle, is logical, because it is not very suitable for serious multimedia tasks. In the near future I will prepare a separate instruction for setting up the Media Bridge mode. I'll check everything, and write how it fits, or not.
Wi-Fi Receiver from TP-LINK Router
Especially, they often ask how to convert such popular parts as TP-LINK TL-WR740N, TL-WR841N, etc. into a receiver.
On such devices, you will have to use bridge mode, aka WDS.
Since in repeater mode, these routers do not work (wrote about this). But I can't say anything yet about the new routers from TP-LINK. Perhaps there is already support for different modes of operation. I know that only TP-LINK access points can work in repeater mode. As far as I know, there is no adapter mode.
There is also a separate instruction for setting up WDS mode on TP-LINK:
I can say with confidence that in bridge mode, the Internet from a TP-LINK router works via a network cable. There were many questions about this, I asked TP-LINK support, everything works. You just need to turn off DHCP. The article on the link above has all the information you need.
D-Link router as receiver
I can't answer exactly for all models of D-Link routers, but based on my own experience, I can say that to use these routers as an adapter, they can be configured in the wireless client mode. Checked on DIR-615, DIR-300.
It must be admitted that this mode of operation of the D-Link router is great for distributing the Internet via cable. In addition, it is possible to disable the wireless network, which is very useful.
For more detailed instructions on setting up client mode on D-Link devices, see here:. See after the heading "Connecting a D-Link router to another router via Wi-Fi (client mode)". Everything is detailed there. Perhaps I will prepare a separate instruction later.
Adapter (client) mode on Netis routers
If you have a Netis router and want to use it to connect devices to the Internet via a network cable, then it is best to configure it in Client mode. You can also use it without any problems. I checked everything works.
Configuring the router in the "Client" mode
Everything is very simple. In the settings, which can be accessed at netis.cc go to advanced settings by clicking on the big button Advanced and immediately go to the "Wireless Mode" - "Wi-Fi Settings" tab. Select "Client" from the "Radio Mode" drop-down menu. Click on the "AP Scan" button.
A list of available networks with which you can connect will appear. Set the "Connect" switch in front of your network. Click on the "Connect" button.
Then set a password for the main Wi-Fi network, and click on the "Save" button.
After these actions, my router rebooted, and the Internet immediately started working via the cable.
An important point: in client mode, the Netis router does not broadcast the Wi-Fi network, which is very good. If you need internet via cable and Wi-Fi, then configure it in repeater mode (there is a link to the instruction above).
Afterword
Later I will try to add information on other manufacturers: Tenda, Linksys, etc.
Almost any router can be turned into a receiver. Many, I think, have an old router that is already gathering dust on the shelf, and only takes up space. And it can still come in handy. And replace the adapter for a stationary computer, TV, game console and other devices. That would not pull the network cable through the whole house.
Often, after changing the Internet connection or buying a new, more powerful router, we shove the old one far into the closet. Do not rush to do this, because the old router can be used differently. What capabilities do Wi-fi routers have, and how to use outdated models?
To have a clear idea of routers, you need to understand what features are built into them:
- Distribution of the Internet from a modem through a router. The router, if there is a USB input, allows you to connect a modem to itself. With this connection, the signal level and range will greatly increase.
- Ability to download torrent files without a laptop or computer. You need to connect an external hard drive to the router and enable the ability to download torrent files in the settings.
These were some great features of Wi-fi routers, where else can you apply this technique?
How do I use my old router?
- Turning into an access point... An access point is built into the routers, some of them even have 2 or 3 pieces. You can make an external access point for a new one from an old router. This step will greatly increase the Wi-fi coverage in the home. Some routers have a built-in "access point" mode, if yours does not have it, do the following:
- Do not use the WAN port on the router. He is responsible for distributing the Internet to other devices by the router, i.e. it will function as a router on its own.
- Look at the IP address range and the new router. Enter the "cmd" command in the "start" and go to "ipconfig" and hold down "enter". You can see the IP address, it looks like 4 groups of numbers, separated by dots. It is the same for many providers.
- Go to the web interface of the router by entering the IP address. Go to the section for changing IP and change it to 1 of the possible. Usually the section is called Lan or Network. Save changes and reboot the router.
- Enter the router settings again at the new address. Then go to the "network" icon and disable the DHCP server function.
Now the old router needs to be connected to the new one using a cable.
- Connecting to a wireless network. Such a router allows the user to connect to any wireless network within range. For example, does your neighbor from the opposite house allow you to use his internet? If you connect a router to the network, the signal strength and internet speed will become much faster.
- Turning into a phone book. It is possible to insert a DECT set-top box into the router. The router will start working as a telephone exchange with up to 6 telephones.
Conclusion
Take your time to sell or throw away your old router, there are many uses for it, from using it as an add-on when traveling, to expanding your home's Wi-fi zone. Follow the advice in this article and you will find a use for your legacy router.
How to make a switch from a router (1 video)
All illustrations in this article (6 photos)
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