Router & Acess Point(s) Setup

[BigJug]

Hello everyone, I've been lurking for a little while now, and thought I'd join the community.

I have a question about my home setup. I live in a bungalow and am trying to get full home wifi. I have Cat5 wiring run to my main living room area, and multiple lines run throughout my basement (this was installed by myself when my basement was being finished). All data lines run back to my electrical panel, as does multiple RG6 coax lines.

My ISP provided modem/router is the Hitron CODA-4582 supplied by Rogers Cable here in Toronto. My current setup is:

CODA in my livingroom______Cat5_____bsmt panel____gigabit switch____cat5___laundry rm___Linksys EA9200 set up as Lan to Lan access point.

This setup is providing decent coverage. I've got the Linksys configured on different channels (both the 2.4 and the 5G) from that of my ISP router, and I've disabled DHCP. I can access everything from everywhere as one big network (items connected to my Linksys do showup as wired though - no big deal). Even roaming works - takes a few extra seconds for my phones and stuff to connect to the Linksys, but it does it seamlessly and works.

My question is: I always planned on putting my CODA in my electrical panel. I have another router that can sit in my livingroom and provide wifi, but I am not exactly sure how to set everything up. Would I have to disable wifi on the CODA, and then set up both routers as access points? My plan was to set something up like my pic.

right? wrong? ideas?

Thanks!

 

[degrub]

Don't put the coda in an enclosure. It needs free air for cooling.
That is a nice DOCsis 3.1 box. Probably decent wifi as well.
It supports a moca 2 bonded connection to another moca 2 bondable device. Use that to extend your network/wireless where you need it. Hitron makes decent devices. Actiontec as well, and they should be able to work together.
If you have to use different APs, then you may need to turn off the wireless in the CODA box if there is significant overlap. You could also set them on widely different channels, but you may have roaming issues if the signal strength doesn't drop below -67dB.

 

[BigJug]

Thanks for the reply, however the coda wouldn't be in an enclosure per-se... it would be in an open closet, likely on the floor, it should have enough air flow. I've looked into the Actiontec devices, and although they do look like great devices, I don't like the price!

My reasoning for wanting to use a different router is because I find some of the features limited on the CODA (parental controls for example, specifically timers). Its widely known that a third party router should provide superior wifi coverage over an ISP provided device. I would like to put this theory to the test and install my separate router. I am just not sure if I should put the coda in bridge mode, or just disable the wifi. I'm still learning about router configurations. I'm assuming I would have to disable wifi only on the coda, but I wouldn't know how to configure my router on the other end in my living room?

 

[degrub]

You should be able to disable wifi without putting the coda in bridge mode if yo uwant. The main disadvantage to not bridging the ISP provided router is it will create a double nat if you install another router in router mode downstream.

If you let the CODA route, then all you need downstream is perhaps a switch and 1 or more APs of your choice.

If you place the CODA in bridge mode, you will need a router and maybe a switch and additional APs.

BTW, the ISP wireless is not necessarily poor at providing coverage. That changed with the introduction of AC protocol devices.

 

[BigJug]

I have another router that I can use as an access point, which is the plan.

Question: I already set up an access point as a Lan to Lan setup. With this type of setup, obviously I lose 1 lan port. When I bridge my router, I lose a LOT of the functionality that it provides. By doing Lan to Lan I am able to retain most functionality.

What would be the best way to configure 2 routers (as access points) so I am able to generate 1 big network, where devices connected to 1 router can communicate and see devices connected to the 2nd router?

I am confused with lan to lan, and lan to wan. I'm also confused about bridging, or just disabling DHCP...

 

[sandman_1]

1. Set the CODA as the DHCP server and Gateway
2. Set the routers in "AP" mode and either assign the router a static IP or get from the DHCP server. This disables NAT and DHCP
3. Other than some minor configuration settings you might want, you are done.

*Each Router's WAN side should be connected to the switch. Clients are directly connected to the Router's LAN.

 

[BigJug]

1. Set the CODA as the DHCP server and Gateway
2. Set the routers in "AP" mode and either assign the router a static IP or get from the DHCP server. This disables NAT and DHCP
3. Other than some minor configuration settings you might want, you are done.

*Each Router's WAN side should be connected to the switch. Clients directly connected to the Router's LAN.

Thank you sandman - this was clear and concise. It sounds like the method you mention is how I currently have 1 of my access points set up, except for your last statement where you say the WAN side should be connected to the switch? In my current setup I have my LAN port connected to the switch, and all works (but I hate losing one lan port). Do I have it connected correctly?

 

[sandman_1]

You can connect it like that but the router's wan side should be connected to the switch. Esentially with AP mode, turns the router into a glorified switch since it turns off most of the router's functions.

 

[BigJug]

In my setup, I was able to retain ALL my routers functions.

Is there any harm in moving the wire from the LAN to the WAN port? Could this cause any damage to my router?

 

[sandman_1]

Harm? no.

If you don't set your router to "AP" mode, then you are probably double NATing, which causes its own problems. I gave you instructions for the best method to use earlier. Up to you now...