Expanding Network Size

[tylerdemerchant]

Hi.

Currently I have a need to expand a local network to beyond 254 IP Addresses.
I understand the basic idea of subnetting, and a simple understanding of how one would utilize different subnet masks to achieve a broader range of ip addresses.

Here is my test environment:

I have 2 simple Asus Routers.
Router 1 recieves an IP address from the modem.
Router 2 recieves an IP address from Router 1.
Router 1 has a LAN IP address of 10.0.0.1 and DHCP Serves 10.0.0.2-10.0.0.254
Router 2 has a LAN IP address of 10.0.1.1 and DHCP Serves 10.0.1.2-10.0.1.254
Both Routers have the Subnet Mask set to 255.255.254.0
Router 2 has a WAN IP address of 10.0.0.4 ( provided by Router 1 )

For testing purposes, I have
1 machine plugged directly into Router 1 - IP address of 10.0.0.15
1 machine plugged directly into Router 2 - IP address of 10.0.1.2

I am trying to ping 1 machine from the other. What step am I missing, or what limiting factor is stopping me from making this work. What should I pursue next.

 

[Emerald]

the problem is that you are using the WAN port on router 2.

for the IP scheme you are using the network mask should be 255.0.0.0

make sure to set the gateway on router 2 to 10.0.0.1 and connect one of the four LAN ports of router 2 to router 1.

 

[tylerdemerchant]

the problem is that you are using the WAN port on router 2.

make sure to set the gateway on router 2 to 10.0.0.1 and connect one of the four LAN ports of router 2 to router 1.

When I Do this, I can successfully ping computers on either IP Range. However, when I try to go to the internet from a pc on Router 2, it takes me to the setup page of router 1. I can not set the gateway to 10.0.0.1 on router 2 as I get errors when nothing is plugged into the WAN Port

for the IP scheme you are using the network mask should be 255.0.0.0.

Hmm. This was not my understanding. My Understanding is that a network mask of 255.0.0.0 would give me a very large range beyond what I am trying to achieve. I was under the impression that subnet mask of 255.255.254.0 would work for 10.0.1.1-10.0.2.254.
I was also under the impression that if I was to use 255.255.0.0 I would have 10.0.x.x-10.0.x.x available, which is also beyone the scope of what I am trying to achieve at this point.

Am I missing something here or can someone else confirm why I am incorrect?