Provide DHCP to devices on secondary (extension) router

  • Thread starter Thread starter Swamp Thing
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on configuring a secondary router to provide DHCP services for IPv4 while connected to an ISP's primary router. The primary router's IP is set to 192.168.xy.1, and the secondary router is configured to 192.168.xy.7. Initially, the secondary router had DHCP disabled, limiting devices to static IPs for IPv4 connectivity. After enabling DHCP on both routers with non-overlapping address pools, devices can connect through either router; however, the secondary router struggles to forward IPv4 traffic to the primary router, likely due to firmware limitations of the old ISP-provided modem/router.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of DHCP configuration and IP addressing
  • Familiarity with router settings and firmware limitations
  • Knowledge of IPv4 and IPv6 networking principles
  • Experience with LAN and WAN configurations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to enable DHCP relay on routers
  • Learn about configuring static routes on routers
  • Investigate firmware updates or alternatives for the secondary router
  • Explore the differences between IPv4 and IPv6 routing mechanisms
USEFUL FOR

Network administrators, IT professionals, and home users looking to optimize their dual-router setups for better IPv4 connectivity and DHCP management.

Swamp Thing
Insights Author
Messages
1,045
Reaction score
775
I have connected a second router to my ISP's router using a LAN cable in order to cover areas that the ISP's WiFi doesn't reach too well.

The first router's IP is 192.168.xy.1, and I set the second router to be 192.168.xy.7. Now if I connect to the second router's WiFi I can use the internet from my devices. The problem is that the second router can provide only IPv6 automatically; if I want IPv4 then I have to use a static IP because the second router has DHCP disabled as per recommendations that I found online.

My question is: Can it work if I enable DHCP on the second router? If not, can the first router's DHCP service be made available to devices that connect to the second router?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
After some online research I enabled DHCP on both routers, setting up non-overlapping pools of addresses. So devices can get connected via either router.

However, the secondary router still doesn't know how to forward IPV4 internet traffic to the first one. (IPV6 somehow works magically, maybe it has built in smartness to find routes). I will post a separate question about routing.

I may mention that the secondary router is actually an old ISP-provided fiber modem/router, so maybe its firmware doesn't allow DHCP discovery to pass through. Also it may need special configuration to make it recognize that the LAN1 port leads to the internet.
 
I am having a hell of a time finding a good all-in-one inkjet printer. I must have gone through 5 Canon, 2 HP, one Brother, one Epson and two 4 X 6 photo printers in the last 7 yrs. all have all sort of problems. I don't even know where to start anymore. my price range is $180-$400, not exactly the cheapest ones. Mainly it's for my wife which is not exactly good in tech. most of the problem is the printers kept changing the way it operate. Must be from auto update. I cannot turn off the...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
488
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
479
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K