One of the most unpleasant forcing that fixed line and ADSL internet operators do is to impose their modem on loan for use.
Sometimes that modem (branded TIM, Fastweb or others) is functional and has complete router functions, but very often it is a basic device, perhaps with hardware from a few years ago, completely insufficient both in terms of signal intensity, both in terms of configurations and customizations.
In these cases, if we now have the operator's modem at home, we have two alternatives, replace it with another, which is not always possible and can have complications (for example, with Telecom you can use our modem-router), or connect a new, powerful router full of options to configure to the modem .
In this guide, therefore, we see how a router is connected to the modem already present without changing the network (Fiber or ADSL does not change anything), with a configuration defined as " cascade " (ie between two routers), continuously, as if in the network there were a single device.
The network remains the same governed by the main modem, while the router works only to enhance the signal and to have a more complete management interface.
NOTE 2: For those who are fasting theoretical concepts on computer networks, I recommend the quick reading of these articles:
- What does a router do
- Differences between modem and router
- Help on computer networks
The advantages of a cascade connection are:
Network performance improvement without removing the older router;
Connection of multiple devices (wired and wireless);
Expand the signal;
Isolate network traffic.
NOTE: This guide assumes that the primary modem is also a router.
If not, if you have a separate modem, the configuration does not change, but the modem should not be touched and this guide is intended on how to connect the main router (in turn connected to the modem) to a secondary one, in cascade ( as can be seen in the figure above)
Before making any configuration, it is advisable to write down some important parameters on the current network.
- Find the IP address of the router (modem)
To do this, you can also open a command prompt on the Windows PC connected to the internet and type the ipconfig / all command to find the IP of the Gateway (ie the router).
From the result of the ipconfig command, the other network parameters are also worth noting, namely the Subnet Mask and the DNS.
Now disconnect all network devices connected to the internet, switch on the new router and proceed with the configuration.
Use a PC to connect to the default network that is activated (you can use an ethernet cable or even wifi), which obviously has no internet connection, open a web browser to enter the router configuration screen, different for each model, but basically similar for everyone.
The options to be located and changed on this screen are as follows:
- The IP address of the router must be in the same range as that of the modem.
So if the IP of the modem is 192.168.1.1, to the new router we put 192.168.1.254 as a fixed IP (which is almost certainly not used by any other device).
- As Subnet Mask leave the value equal to that of the modem which should be 255.255.255.0 .
- As a Gateway, enter the IP of the modem.
- Like DNS you can also put the IP of the modem or other DNS addresses such as Google ( 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 )
- On the new router you must then deactivate the DHCP Server and also optional functions such as NAT and Firewall must not be active.
If there is an "Access point only" configuration option on the new router, you can enable it to disable all pure "router" functions.
To complete the configuration, connect the router to the modem using the Ethernet network cable to the LAN ports of the modem and router, and the connection is complete.
The end result will be to have the same network as before, with the same configurations, but enhanced by the new router.
If desired, you can also space the new router and detach it from the Ethernet cable.
I refer to this guide if you want to configure a wifi access point as a repeater .
This time the router is not used as an access point, but with all the router functions.
The same steps as above must be followed, only that when setting the IP of the router, it must also have the third number different from the IP of the modem.
In practice, if the modem has address 192.168.1.1, we give the new router an address such as 192.168.111.1
Subnet Mask remains the same, i.e. 255.255.255.0, DNS and Gateway are automatically assigned.
The DHCP Server, NAT and Firewall functions can be left active.
Another difference from the previous procedure is that this time the connection with Ethernet cable must be made using the WAN (or Internet) port of the new router.
The new router will automatically receive all access settings from the modem, while the network of IP addresses will be the one managed via DHCP by the new router, with the address 192.168.111.X.
In this configuration there is only one problem in case you have to configure the forwarding or opening of ports on the router, because these must also be open on the modem.
On some modems, there may be an option in the configuration screen called IP passthrough or DMZ.
If these options are activated, the ports on the modem are all open and the management of authorizations and inputs is left to the new router (therefore port forwarding must be configured only on the new router).
READ ALSO: Increase the wifi signal with two wireless routers connected together
Sometimes that modem (branded TIM, Fastweb or others) is functional and has complete router functions, but very often it is a basic device, perhaps with hardware from a few years ago, completely insufficient both in terms of signal intensity, both in terms of configurations and customizations.
In these cases, if we now have the operator's modem at home, we have two alternatives, replace it with another, which is not always possible and can have complications (for example, with Telecom you can use our modem-router), or connect a new, powerful router full of options to configure to the modem .
In this guide, therefore, we see how a router is connected to the modem already present without changing the network (Fiber or ADSL does not change anything), with a configuration defined as " cascade " (ie between two routers), continuously, as if in the network there were a single device.
The network remains the same governed by the main modem, while the router works only to enhance the signal and to have a more complete management interface.
NOTE 2: For those who are fasting theoretical concepts on computer networks, I recommend the quick reading of these articles:
- What does a router do
- Differences between modem and router
- Help on computer networks
The advantages of a cascade connection are:
Network performance improvement without removing the older router;
Connection of multiple devices (wired and wireless);
Expand the signal;
Isolate network traffic.
NOTE: This guide assumes that the primary modem is also a router.
If not, if you have a separate modem, the configuration does not change, but the modem should not be touched and this guide is intended on how to connect the main router (in turn connected to the modem) to a secondary one, in cascade ( as can be seen in the figure above)
Before making any configuration, it is advisable to write down some important parameters on the current network.
- Find the IP address of the router (modem)
To do this, you can also open a command prompt on the Windows PC connected to the internet and type the ipconfig / all command to find the IP of the Gateway (ie the router).
From the result of the ipconfig command, the other network parameters are also worth noting, namely the Subnet Mask and the DNS.
Now disconnect all network devices connected to the internet, switch on the new router and proceed with the configuration.
The best way to connect a modem to the router using LAN-LAN ports
To connect a new router to the main modem you only need to make a configuration from the settings panel.Use a PC to connect to the default network that is activated (you can use an ethernet cable or even wifi), which obviously has no internet connection, open a web browser to enter the router configuration screen, different for each model, but basically similar for everyone.
The options to be located and changed on this screen are as follows:
- The IP address of the router must be in the same range as that of the modem.
So if the IP of the modem is 192.168.1.1, to the new router we put 192.168.1.254 as a fixed IP (which is almost certainly not used by any other device).
- As Subnet Mask leave the value equal to that of the modem which should be 255.255.255.0 .
- As a Gateway, enter the IP of the modem.
- Like DNS you can also put the IP of the modem or other DNS addresses such as Google ( 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 )
- On the new router you must then deactivate the DHCP Server and also optional functions such as NAT and Firewall must not be active.
If there is an "Access point only" configuration option on the new router, you can enable it to disable all pure "router" functions.
To complete the configuration, connect the router to the modem using the Ethernet network cable to the LAN ports of the modem and router, and the connection is complete.
The end result will be to have the same network as before, with the same configurations, but enhanced by the new router.
If desired, you can also space the new router and detach it from the Ethernet cable.
I refer to this guide if you want to configure a wifi access point as a repeater .
Second way to connect modem and router (WAN-LAN)
If you are not satisfied or if there are difficulties, there is also another way to connect the modem to a new router, with a LAN-WAN connection .This time the router is not used as an access point, but with all the router functions.
The same steps as above must be followed, only that when setting the IP of the router, it must also have the third number different from the IP of the modem.
In practice, if the modem has address 192.168.1.1, we give the new router an address such as 192.168.111.1
Subnet Mask remains the same, i.e. 255.255.255.0, DNS and Gateway are automatically assigned.
The DHCP Server, NAT and Firewall functions can be left active.
Another difference from the previous procedure is that this time the connection with Ethernet cable must be made using the WAN (or Internet) port of the new router.
The new router will automatically receive all access settings from the modem, while the network of IP addresses will be the one managed via DHCP by the new router, with the address 192.168.111.X.
In this configuration there is only one problem in case you have to configure the forwarding or opening of ports on the router, because these must also be open on the modem.
On some modems, there may be an option in the configuration screen called IP passthrough or DMZ.
If these options are activated, the ports on the modem are all open and the management of authorizations and inputs is left to the new router (therefore port forwarding must be configured only on the new router).
READ ALSO: Increase the wifi signal with two wireless routers connected together
