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Second wireless router (to connect to Apex) - question

wade

By wade,
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wade

wade

I've been reviewing posts here, but cannot readily find the answer, nor can I find it online.

 

Can a second wireless router be added to a home network WITHOUT a physical connection to the primary router?

 

There's no way I can run a wire to my existing router, so I was hoping to configure a second router to serve that purpose. I am guessing (but not positive) that I will need some form of additional hardware to make that happen?

 

Has anyone else done this?

DaveS

DaveS

It is possible. There are guides online to make a wireless router into a wireless bridge. You can also by a wireless bridge off eBay for about $20. If you are going to buy something, I'd go the bridge route. If you already have a spare router around, it may be worth configuring that.

armydoc

armydoc

Is Powerline ethernet an option for you? I tried the wireless bridge conversion think as well as the gaming adapter and neither were reliable. I've got the power line plugged into a power strip and it works fine.

wade

wade

  • Author

Not sure what powerline ethernet even is... I assume it works like X10 stuff using your home lines? I'll give it a look.

wade

wade

  • Author
(edited)

While digging around looking for more info on powerline, it appears as though people have also used phone lines for the same purpose. There is a phone jack right behind the tank (and one in the office near the router)... anyone know if that really does work and what equipment you'd need?

 

HomePNA it looks like it is called.

Edited by wade
Orion

Orion

If you are not that tech savvy get an Airport Express from Apple. It's expensive, but easy to configure. All you need to do is go into the settings for the Express, click "Extend Wireless Network", find your existing wifi network, and type in your wifi password. Done.

You have now created a wireless bridge.

Brian Ward

Brian Ward

If you only need to connect the Apex to your wireless network, then you can get a wireless bridge. Generally the software/firmware that comes with a router will not allow you to use it as a bridge (there's no hardware limitation, just software). If you're not super tech-savvy then you'll want to just buy a wireless bridge and hook that up. Should be $20 - $50. Shop around until you find one that's no more than that.

 

If you're trying to do something more than that, then let me know and I can point you in the right direction.

wade

wade

  • Author
(edited)

Been reading about options for 2 days now. coax/power/phone line networking is $$ to get the equipment. I think the bridge is the best idea and since all I need is a place to plug in the ethernet for the Apex, it sounds like the best option.

 

Thanks all!

Edited by wade
DaveS

DaveS

There was another thread a month or so back where I posted a link for a $15 bridge. I used 2 of them for my family members and they stream video across it just about 24/7.

 

Powerline is ok. It depends on the size of your house and how much electrical noise there is. AC units, pumps, and other things seem to decrease performance.

wade

wade

  • Author

I just ordered a bridge with 5 open ports refurbished for $28... that way it can be expanded if I ever choose to add something else (tank is in the living room). I may be hitting everyone up again for ideas as I try to make this work.

 

In regards to the powerline, I have solar panels and started to get concerned about not only the noise, but an interaction with the digital converter box attached to the system. Decided it wouldn't be worth finding out since I'd have to shell out for the gear first regardless.

Brian Ward

Brian Ward

I just ordered a gaming adapter to make mines wireless got it off eBay

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

Gaming adapter is the same thing as a bridge. There is no functional difference that I can determine.

wade

wade

  • Author

Set up my adapter last night. Seems to work just fine. Thanks for the background!  It ran my laptop wirelessly fairly well (certainly not as fast, but not bad and will be more than enough for apex).

 

Wound up with a refurb netgear single device bridge. About $25.

Origami Neptune Reefer

Origami

Set up my adapter last night. Seems to work just fine. Thanks for the background!  It ran my laptop wirelessly fairly well (certainly not as fast, but not bad and will be more than enough for apex).

 

Wound up with a refurb netgear single device bridge. About $25.

 

What's the part number of the Netgear bridge that you bought?

Origami Neptune Reefer

Origami

Hmmm. I thought it had 5 ports? Was that a different model? This one seems to have 1.

wade

wade

  • Author

That was a different model - they were sold out of and I couldn't find at the same low price anywhere else on the 'net.  In the end, I opted to go with the simple single port instead.

 

Guess I should have clarified that, sorry.

Origami Neptune Reefer

Origami

No problem. Do you remember the model number on that five-port device? Also, how easy was it to set up the Netgear device that you have? Does it remember its settings if the power goes out and is restored later?

wade

wade

  • Author

I don't have the info for the 5 port version with me, I had it scribbled on a note at home.  I will try to remember to search for it later.

 

The setup on the Netgear was very simple. You just have to use a computer that isn't currently connected to your network and using your browser, configure it as you want. It did almost everything on its own. Took maybe 3-4 minutes.

 

As to holding its memory, I don't yet know, but I assume it wrote everything to memory based on how long it took to finish (2 mins to write everything).  I unplugged it and will know when I hook the Apex up later (needed water in the tank for the probes, so should be able to do that tonight or tomorrow).  

wade

wade

  • Author

Since people are tuned in to this topic... does anyone have a recommendation for a dynamic dns server?

 

I always like free, but will consider a paid service if it really rates the cost.

 

I am only really interested in being able to access the Apex, not stream anything or do ftp to a home PC, so simple is best.

Origami Neptune Reefer

Origami

This link was helpful to me: http://dnslookup.me/dynamic-dns/

 

I have a grandfathered-free account with dyndns.com, but they recently made it a lot easier for me to lose my free account. After researching options, I set up a second free dynamic DNS account at no-ip.com.

scott711 Oracle Reefer

scott711

This link was helpful to me: http://dnslookup.me/dynamic-dns/

 

I have a grandfathered-free account with dyndns.com, but they recently made it a lot easier for me to lose my free account. After researching options, I set up a second free dynamic DNS account at no-ip.com.

+1

wade

wade

  • Author
(edited)

Apex is online no problems. Partially programmed now.  Still need to calibrate the pH probe (and should prob figure out the offset for the Temp probe too to check it).

 

Now I have to get through comcast's wall and make this available online.  Having trouble figuring it out.  I set the router to port 9900 for incoming and directed it at the apex (leaving it internally to 80) but it still doesn't show as an open port via my IP.  I have an account with no-ip.biz as a dyndns server. Got their little program running, but not fully functional yet... and it may be a problem as it seems I will have to have a pc running full time to keep that running to redirect my port.  The router only has dnydns.org embedded. :(

 

port (9900)
Reason: Connection refused

Edited by wade

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