Using a secondary wireless router

[bb_504]

Is it possible to use another wireless router in a different part of my house that is hardwired into the Netduma? Mainly because the signal strength in the back of my house to the Netduma isn't the greatest.

Setup would be as follows:

Cable Modem<Netduma<PS4

                                 <Desktop

                                 <Wireless Router<PS3

                                                        <SmartBluray

                                                        <PS4

                                                        <********PS3(wireless connection)

 

 

If this isn't possible, could I just use an Ethernet hub instead of the Wireless Router to hardwire the Bluray, PS4 and PS3? Trying to hardwire as many devices as I can to lessen the network strain due to too many wireless devices.

[secretface]

thats what I do

[bb_504]

http://www.wikihow.com/Connect-Two-Routers

 

This shows you how. I chose the LAN to LAN option.

[antithesis]

I use 3 wireless routers to extend the NetDuma's wireless network using a Roaming Network configuration. More info here - https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT202056 - it's an Apple support article, but the info applies equally to other network gear.
 
Basically, the secondary routers are all connected via ethernet to the NetDuma, are set to Bridged Mode and share the same SSID / Passwords etc. The NetDuma hosts the DHCP and more or less owns the wireless network, even though no wireless traffic ever needs to go direct through the NetDuma.
 
All network traffic from those wireless routers gets piped over ethernet through the NetDuma for the greatest network throughput (less signal loss over copper than wireless). Because all internet traffic has to go through the NetDuma to the interwebs, Congestion Control and Host Filtering settings on the NetDuma works across all wired and wireless networked devices.
 

A roaming wireless network would look like this -

ISP Modem > NetDuma > ethernet > Wireless Router A > devices
                                        > ethernet > Wireless Router B > devices
                                        > ethernet > Wireless Router C > devices

Alternately, you can configure an Extended Wireless Network, but it's done wirelessly to the base station (NetDuma) rather than via ethernet, so throughput will be lower. You'll also be more vulnerable to wireless signal interference because each wireless router needs to be within range of the other and the further apart they are, the greater the signal degradation.
 
An extended wireless network would look like this -
 
ISP Modem > NetDuma > wireless > Wireless Router A > devices
                                       > wireless > Wireless Router B > devices
                                       > wireless > Wireless Router C > devices
 
If you have the option, go for Roaming Network rather than Wireless Extended Network.
 

 

Even better, if you have the option, don't use wireless at all, especially for gaming. Connect ethernet switches to your NetDuma, then connect all consoles to the switches. In addition to the wireless routers (which I use just for iPads, iPhones, AppleTVs and Google Chromecasts) I use 6 ethernet switches to wire up all computers, consoles, network storage, VoIP phones and A/V equipment on a gigabit LAN.
 
Using an ethernet switch, your setup would look like this -

Cable Modem > Netduma > 6-port switch     > PS4
                                                                > Desktop
                                                                > PS3
                                                                > SmartBluray

...with a couple of spare ports left over.

 

You can add as many network switches as you need and they can be daisy-chained. Ethernet switches are dirt cheap, but the caveat is you need to run wires through the house between routers / switches, which can be a problem for many people. In which case, Ethernet over Power is an option.

Cable Mode > NetDuma > EoP transmitter > wall socket  > EoP receiver > 6-port switch > consoles / PC / etc.

 

Looks complicated, but it's not. EoP device into wall socket and NetDuma. Other EoP device into wall socket and network switch. Insta-ethernet. It won't be a solid as an ethernet cable run through the house as it's contingent on the quality of your home's power wiring, but it should be better than wireless.

 

 

My home network has 65 devices currently listed in the NetDuma via a mix of gigabit ethernet switches, wireless roaming network and ethernet over power. The R1 manages the lot and does a bang-up job of ensuring my gaming packets are prioritised, no matter what else is going on on the network, which typically includes streaming LAN video, streaming web video, torrents, browser downloads, online backups and VPN traffic.

[Netduma Jack]

Looks like you've received some great advice on the issue, I couldn't have put it better myself. Let us know if you need any more help.