2 wireless routers on same network

I have a home Cable internet connection setup for a desktop and laptop.
My wired setup is like this: Internet -> Cable Modem -> WRT160Nv2
The WRT160Nv2 is set up with DHCP enabled, subnet 255.255.255.0, WEP enabled, IP 192.168.1.1
This setup works fine wired and I can connect my desktop and laptop wirelessly to this network.

However, I am attempting to add a second wireless router (WRT300N) to the mix through the use of a switch so my network looks like this: Internet -> Cable modem - > WRT160Nv2 -> LinkSys 8port switch -> WRT300N
I have my desktop and laptop wired connections coming out of the switch. I am able to connect using the wired connection on both the desktop and laptop. I'm also able to connect wirelessly to the WRT160Nv2 on both the laptop and desktop.

However, I am unable to get a good connection with WRT300N router wirelessly.

I've brought the WRT300N back to the modem and replaced the WRT300N for the WRT160Nv2 and set the WRT300N with a different SSID, IP and WEP code. Do these have to be the same as the WRT160Nv2 to make the WRT300N work? Or what settings should I use on the WRT300N to make this router work on my network? Even when I set my WRT300N IP to 192.168.1.<B> I can't access it so I'm left setting it up without the WRT160Nv2 connected and then seting the network up like this: Internet -> Cable modem - > WRT160Nv2 -> LinkSys 8port switch -> WRT300N and hoping it works.... which it doesn't..

Any suggestions would be much appreciated....

A just question... why? he asks....

WRT160Nv2 is situated close to my desktop and modem for a ease of connection on one side of the room, the other side has a desk where the laptop can reside. I have run a wire around the room to the laptop to connect it using a wired connection but if you take the lap top out of the room and down the hall you go by 2 bathrooms which (I'm guessing) due to a large amount of metal in pipes etc. the signal goes from 95% to 50% (which results in VPN drops). Having the VPN drop out is not an option.

If I take a wireless router and connect it to where WRT300N is (next to the hallway door) and move it out to the hall I can then catch the wireless signal down the hall (line of sight) at around 95% which works great.

Up to now if I need to work down the hall I've been faced with disconnecting the wired/wireless connections from my WRT160Nv2 and connecting my WRT300N in the hall. This setup disables my desktop internet access

Actually, I my setup started with the cable modem and the WRT300N, which worked ok until I found the need to take the laptop elsewhere (like down the hall). At which point my practice of disconnecting it and reconnecting the WRT300N in the hallway started.

When a local PC store had a going out of business fire sale I decided to get a second router and use it I got the WRT160Nv2 which I used as my DHCP router and was going to use the WRT300N (a verical profile, small footprint) as the "hallway router"... I ran into issues which I though would be alleviated by getting a switch to go between the WRT160Nv2 and the WRT300N.... having bought a switch and connecting the router up and STILL not being able to connect to the WRT300N I'm abit confused (and frustrated) at this whole thing.....

If possible I'd rather not have to go out and buy more equipment....

THANKS!!!

That worked like a charm! I had everything correct before but I was connecting my WRT300N by using the 'internet' port....

Ironhide,

Can you please tell me why we should not connect the second router to the Internet port?

Thanks.