Anyone who’s willing to go through the process and understand the steps can easily run two routers off of a single modem if they so wish.
I’m a long-time technology user who’s spent years working with tons of different modems and routers. That personal hands-on use combines with my additional research to better outline the numerous points detailed throughout this guide.
All of the following paragraphs cover the process behind running two modems on a single router, why it can be an effective setup, as well as some things to consider before going that route.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- There are two different ways, daisy chaining and a more traditional setup, that users can run two routers off of a single modem.
- Putting two routers on one network is a great way to spread out the workload across multiple devices and increase your connection’s range.
- Those with multiple routers need to keep them off of the same channel and take the necessary steps to cut down on interference.
Powering Two Routers in a Single Space
While it’s not the simplest process, especially for those who don’t spend a lot of time working with technology, there are a few ways to run two routers off of a single modem. You can daisy chain them, or you can put them both on a single device.
If you want to connect two routers directly to one modem and have them broadcast different networks, you need multiple static IPs. With that method, you can set up multiple IP addresses for the routers, connect them via a coaxial cable, or use a network switch.
In all three of those situations, you should have plenty of bandwidth and not need to worry about any lag or latency issues. Everything should come together nicely, especially for any devices running off of your network.
The other method involves daisy-chaining two routers to one modem. In that case, the first router handles the bulk of the signal while the second router acts as an access point that extends your existing network.
Where two routers connected to the modem creates a wider net that enables you to get more from your connection, daisy chaining the pair largely amplifies your range. It all depends on what you want from your second device.
How to Setup Two Routers on One Network
When putting your router together, regardless if you’re using one as a simple range extender or if you’re using both as different networks, there are a few easy steps you can follow to make sure all of your personal devices seamlessly work together.
Setup the first router as normal by going through the directions given by the manufacturer and your internet provider. Then, go to that router’s wireless security settings and disable the automatic channel selection and set the channel.
Once that’s done, connect the second router to the first via a wired connection or a wireless media bridge. Next, disable the DHCP server on that router (allowing router 1 to manage the network) and set the router’s IP address to one number higher than the first one.
Set the internet gateway to router 1’s IP address and then disable automatic channel selection and set the channel to one not being used by the first device.
Ensure the wireless security is the same on both. Once that’s done, you will have two different access points working to distribute a single network around your home.
Using Two Routers: Pros and Cons
Though many users tend to shy away from using two routers at once, it’s not as black and white as it seems. There are quite a few advantages that come with a more advanced setup, and there are some noticeable downsides as well.
The biggest plus of using two routers is the browsing and network benefits. They extend the signal and allow for a higher capacity. In that way, a two-device setup is an excellent choice for anyone with more space or a larger home.
Both routers also come with ethernet ports. That enables you to support a wide range of different devices and gives you more ways to plug into the internet. They can also increase browsing speeds and make surfing that much easier.
You can connect more devices wirelessly as well. A second router takes an immense amount of stress off of your primary model, which is a great way to up your reliability.
However, multiple routers can cause some extra complications too. Signal interference is something you always have to be aware of, as two routers can trigger connection losses when you move between the devices.
Needing to log into two different routers depending on where you are in your house is a hassle, and can be a largely time-consuming process as well. You also need to be more careful with placement, as two routers being too far apart can lead to dead zones.
Looking at the pros and cons, it’s largely up to you if you want to run two routers off of one modem. It’s more than possible to do, but it’s not right for every setup.
FAQs
This section answers a few of the biggest questions surrounding the use of multiple routers.
Should Routers Be Placed High or Low?
When possible, it’s always a good idea to get your router (or routers) up off the ground. Putting them a few feet off the floor, especially so they’re in line with the modem, is the best way to go.
Can Having Two Routers Cause Problems?
While there are many pros to using multiple routers, there are some cons too. They can get in each other’s way and, if they are on the same frequency, lead to an overall loss of performance.
How Many Routers Can Be on One Modem?
Theoretically, any number of wireless routers can be connected to a single modem. A device could also hold any equal to its number of ports. However, doing that would likely overload the device.
Final Words
A two-router setup is not common, but it is possible and comes with certain benefits. It’s not something every user would want or need. Even so, if you want some extra from your setup and know how to put it all together, it’s a great way to get better internet performance.
Have you ever run two routers off of a single modem? Why did you make the choice, and what were the results? Let us know below!
