Is my network config correct?

jnewcs · Dec 17, 2022

From time to time I have issues with my network and was hoping someone can help. Maybe there is something I am missing with my setup.

So, Small dish on the roof. An Ethernet cable comes off of that and into the house where it’s plugged into what I assume is a modem/POE box.
From there it goes into a Tenda wifi router(main router) into WAN port.
-Ethn port 1 goes directly into my desktop.
-Ethn port 2 goes into a power line adapter. There is another power-line adapter hooked up to another router upstairs.
-Ethn 3 goes into a hub.
-Ethn 1 from the hub runs across the basement and into another wifi router.

So thats 3 routers. I have dhcp turned off on 2 of them and only have the ‘main router’ assigning ip’s(I think) This is where I am not sure if things are right. Should I only have dhcp on 1 or all?

I normally have 20-30 devices hookup at any time. 8 of those are cameras.

Sometimes things run great, other times not so great. I just need to know If my config is correct.

wimorrison · Dec 17, 2022

If the DHCP is definitely turned off on 2 routers (only enabled on main router) and the only WAN port in use is the one from your modem/POE to the Tenda main router then it sounds like you have it correct.

jnewcs · Dec 17, 2022

Would I want the 2 router(s) that have dhcp disabled, in Route mode or Bridge mode?
ty

badrobot · Dec 17, 2022

The other 2 routers should be in bridge mode. One will have an IP range of 192.168.2.XX and the other will probably be 192.168.3.XX.

wimorrison · Dec 18, 2022

You do not want to use them as routers at all. If you do as suggested and create different io ranges for each one then you enter a new world of pain. You may need to give each one a static IP address but that should be in the same range as the main router.

This is why I asked that you are only using one WAN connection. On the other two ‘routers’ you should ONLY use the LAN sockets. This will avoid using the routing capabilities and you will be using them as a switch. Much simpler and a solution that works without any pain.

badrobot · Dec 18, 2022

wimorrison said:
You do not want to use them as routers at all. If you do as suggested and create different io ranges for each one then you enter a new world of pain. You may need to give each one a static IP address but that should be in the same range as the main router.

This is why I asked that you are only using one WAN connection. On the other two ‘routers’ you should ONLY use the LAN sockets. This will avoid using the routing capabilities and you will be using them as a switch. Much simpler and a solution that works without any pain.

Bridge is just an extension of your main network if you want to cover dead spots. It is not a "pain" like you said. You can still access everything on your network.

wimorrison · Dec 18, 2022

badrobot said:
Bridge is just an extension of your main network if you want to cover dead spots. It is not a "pain" like you said. You can still access everything on your network.

Not when you put them on a different network as you suggest and only have one DHCP server - everything will have the wrong addresses for the network to operate correctly, plus not all routers support being configured as bridges. The KISS principle is always the best.

badrobot · Dec 18, 2022

wimorrison said:
Not when you put them on a different network as you suggest and only have one DHCP server - everything will have the wrong addresses for the network to operate correctly, pluys not all routers support being configured as bridges

The IP range is self generated when you connect a second or third router in bridge mode. It will have its own DHCP server that will be recognized by the main router as part of an extended network. I am suggesting based on my own experience. Not by theory. I have a mesh network setup that way.

glasskuter · Dec 18, 2022

It all depends on what mode you are using on router #2 and #3. Though quite similar, repeaters, extenders, access points and bridges do handle traffic slightly different..I'm sorry @badrobot but I have to disagree with you on using a bridge. The second and third router should be set up as an access point, not a repeater and not a bridge. You certainly don't want to use its in repeater mode since it essentially halves your wireless bandwidth, as it has to use it to communicate with both your main AP and the clients. Although range extenders/repeaters reach areas beyond the range of the central router, they also bounce back all the router's traffic, creating congestion and slowing the network.

Access point (AP) mode enables your second (and third)router to function as a gateway for wired and wireless devices to connect to. In AP mode, your second router extends your existing WiFi instead of creating a new WiFi network.

Things to note if you choose AP mode:
1. Router features like DHCP, NAT, and port forwarding should be disabled in the second (and third)router while in AP mode so that only main router will assign IP Addresses. Parental controls should also be disabled in the access point router. The gateway router should be the only one handling parental controls.For more information, see Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode.
2. The second router should be assigned a static ip address, usually in the upper range (example if #1 has an ip of 192.168.0.1, #2 might be assigned 192.168.0.148 and router #3 192.168.0.149)
3. On the AP, change the wireless channel so that it is different from your primary channel. By using a different channel on the secondary and primary routers, you can reduce interference on your network. The three channels that don't overlap at all are 1, 6 and 11. It's ideal to have the primary take one of those channels and the secondary (and third)another.
4. Assign SSID the same on both gateway and AP routers

wimorrison · Dec 18, 2022

@glasskuter exactly what I have been saying, but much more clearly than I was putting it :)

badrobot · Dec 18, 2022

glasskuter said:
It all depends on what mode you are using on router #2 and #3. Though quite similar, repeaters, extenders, access points and bridges do handle traffic slightly different..I'm sorry @badrobot but I have to disagree with you on using a bridge. The second and third router should be set up as an access point, not a repeater and not a bridge. You certainly don't want to use its in repeater mode since it essentially halves your wireless bandwidth, as it has to use it to communicate with both your main AP and the clients. Although range extenders/repeaters reach areas beyond the range of the central router, they also bounce back all the router's traffic, creating congestion and slowing the network.

Access point (AP) mode enables your second (and third)router to function as a gateway for wired and wireless devices to connect to. In AP mode, your second router extends your existing WiFi instead of creating a new WiFi network.

Things to note if you choose AP mode:
1. Router features like DHCP, NAT, and port forwarding should be disabled in the second (and third)router while in AP mode so that only main router will assign IP Addresses. Parental controls should also be disabled in the access point router. The gateway router should be the only one handling parental controls.For more information, see Disabled Features on the Router when set to AP Mode.
2. The second router should be assigned a static ip address, usually in the upper range (example if #1 has an ip of 192.168.0.1, #2 might be assigned 192.168.0.148 and router #3 192.168.0.149)
3. On the AP, change the wireless channel so that it is different from your primary channel. By using a different channel on the secondary and primary routers, you can reduce interference on your network. The three channels that don't overlap at all are 1, 6 and 11. It's ideal to have the primary take one of those channels and the secondary (and third)another.
4. Assign SSID the same on both gateway and AP routers

Any device you connect to a router by bridge or AP, they act as a client that eats up or divides bandwidth.
Whatever the OP decides to do, it's his decision. I have no issue with a second or third network. I can still access everything within the network. I have 2 networks that act as one. I have 50+ devices (mostly smart devices) connected on both networks with no issues. No need to argue, I am just giving my two cents. You can't disagree, you can only share your thoughts whatever works for you.
With bridge setup, there is nothing else to do. You don't need to disable or setup anything (and hopefully you get it right when you do). Just enable bridge, assign SSID and passwords and you are done.

Wifi speeds on both networks are acceptable.

Main network.

Network 2

jnewcs · Dec 18, 2022

Thanks for all the replies. Most of it went over my head so I'll have to research more.

So rt#2
I am still a bit confused with the mode. Should it be bridge or route?

Here are some more pics to maybe help.

Router number 3; I am not finding anything pertaining to bridge or route.

thx for the help!!!

Cromax · Dec 18, 2022

Ppl already said route mode is for Main Boss aka first router, other routers should be bridge mode( physical ethernet port access points aka connecting with ethernet cables)/access point(wifi extenders which connect to main router via wifi with built-in network bridging)