Optimize My Setup - ISP Router, Archer C6, Repeater - Linus Tech Tips

• Only_CORE

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Hey, I recently changed my ISP. With that I have to use VDSL router. Co my current setup look like this: Phone line -> VDSL router from ISP (Old Comtrend) -> TP-Link Archer C6 -> TP-Link Wireless N router (repeater for a remote part of the house). What settings should I change? For best coverage I am using both routers for wifi. I wanted to buy Tplink OneMesh repeaters but 1. a lot of people are saying the update for Archer C6 isn't stable, 2. It has to use wifi so is needs to be close to main router -> I would need a lot of them and 3. They are expensive.

What if I set all 3 wifi SSIDs and passwords the same? What channel and width? Is that a good strategy? Will phones connect and reconnect seamlessly?

What about DHCP server? Can I disable it on ISP router so only Archer is doing it? What IPs to assign to devices? As you can see from pictures Comtrend is on 10.0.0.138, Archer on 192.168.0.1 and I tried setting 192.168.0.2 to the Wireless N router but I can't seem to access it (It has the same default address as Archer .0.1 so when I try to access it the Archer wins.

I know it's a lot of questions  but I would be grateful for every answer so I can optimize and understand more things work. Thanks.

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• RageTester

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I know for a fact that you must disable DHCP on the repeater. You say you can't access it, have you tried connecting to it via ethernet cable via device that is disconnected from other networks?

Having multiple DHCP servers = multiple networks ... so some devices might not be able to access others.

Smartphones should have functionality to automatically establish connection with best signal network.

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• Only_CORE

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19 minutes ago, RageTester said:

I know for a fact that you must disable DHCP on the repeater. You say you can't access it, have you tried connecting to it via ethernet cable via device that is disconnected from other networks?

I have it disabled on the Wireless N router (repeater) and to access it I have to disconnect it from Archer. Also what might help investigating is I recently updated it to newer version. I configured it correctly, but it wouldn't access internet, luckily before updating I created a restore settings file and after that it worked, I changed the IP to .0.2 and left it be. but I was never able to access it after that. 

EDIT: I just tried to connect my laptop to the repeater and disconnect from Archer, It won't show default gateway (ipconfig in cmd)

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• RageTester

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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.

You can use the same SSID and network password on Archer and repeater, leave ISP modem/router combo in peace.

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• 2 months later...

• abhijithas

• Member
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I know the thread is old but sharing my two cents just in case someone else is going through similar problems.

1. you will not be able to access the repeater or router or modem with DHCP disabled because the device you connect with it wouldn't receive an ip. simple workaround is to  assign an ip in the same subnet to the pc/laptop. say the router/modem has an ip 192.16.0.1, assign a static ip to the system say 192.168.0.100. (quick search google on how to set IP to a computer in your OS)

2.I'm using a similar setup as OP where i have an ADSL modem/router, an archer c6, and another router as wireless AP. My recommendation would be to put the ISP provided modem/router in "Bridge" mode if it has that option(@10.0.0.138 in your case.). This converts the  modem/router into a dumb modem (DHCP settings doesn't matter,in my knowledge). Use the archer c6 as the main router(@192.168.0.1) and connect it in PPPoE (assuming that your connection is indeed PPPoE). The public IP will be then assigned to the WAN port of archer c6. DHCP would only be enabled in the archer c6 in its default range (ie 192.168.0.100-192.168.0.249). Setup the wireless router separately before connecting it to the router and assign a LAN IP (say 192.168.0.2).(DHCP disabled of course)

3.use the same SSID and password but also the same security protocol and encryption in all the wireless points. (WPA2-PSK/AES in my case). This would make your devices switch seamlessly to the nearest AP.

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