Setting up a second router as a wireless access point

[seavixen32]

I live in the UK and use Sky as my ISP.

The wireless router they supply is OK as far as the internet side of things is concerned, but for a good wireless connection to my wife's laptop in the next room, it sucks.

I have a spare Netgear DG834N Wireless ADSL2 modem router and was going to use this instead of my Sky router in an effort to improve the wireless range. Unfortunately, Sky's T's & C's insist that using a different router to the one they supplied could result in my internet service being withdrawn.

In an effort to prevent people using a third-party router, Sky have encrypted theirs with a username and password (not the username and password used to logon for e-mail etc) that can be retrieved with a hack, but I prefer not to go down that route.

What I would like to do is use the Sky router to handle the internet side of things, and then use my Netgear router as a wireless access point to give us better wireless coverage around the house.

Is this possible and if so, how do I go about it?

 

[Shadowjk]

You could use your Router as a "Repeater" However Skys router may not support it

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91791-multi-router-network-configure.html

Josh

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks for the link Josh, it may be worth a try as my computer has both an ethernet and wireless adapter.

 

[Shadowjk]

No Problem - Just post back your results to let us know if it works or not

Josh

 

[seavixen32]

OK, I'll do that. I just need to find the power supply adapter for my Netgear router then I can give it a try.

 

[WebMattR]

If you log into the router, it should show you the username and password required for the PPoE connection to their end of things. I would honestly look into whether or not what they're saying is legal (I know that over here they can't require you use their modem, but they can refuse you tech support if you don't).

Also, if you plug in your spare wireless router and log into the configuration, many of them have an option to turn all the routing functionality off, and use it simply as a wireless access point.

 

[seavixen32]

If you log into the router, it should show you the username and password required for the PPoE connection to their end of things. I would honestly look into whether or not what they're saying is legal (I know that over here they can't require you use their modem, but they can refuse you tech support if you don't).

Also, if you plug in your spare wireless router and log into the configuration, many of them have an option to turn all the routing functionality off, and use it simply as a wireless access point.

As well as a username and password to log into my Sky internet service Sky have also included in the router's firmware another username and password that needs to be extracted if I were to use a third-party router.

As I say, this is written into their contract terms and this was part of the answer I got when I queried why I couldn't use a non-Sky router: The reason we don't support the use of other routers is because we would not be able to provide end to end support with these. The use of other routers haven't been tested and configured to be used with Sky broadband.

In other words they're trying to say that having a uniform router for all their customers enables them to give better customer service, but that is open to question. They did also hint strongly that there would be a distinct lack of technical support if I ditch their router.

Anyway, I'll look into the suggestion you've offered and see if I can make any headway. I'm contracted to Sky until September so I may just bite the bullet and switch to an ISP that doesn't impose any sort of hardware restriction when my year is up.

 

[Shadowjk]

The so called "Customer Report" Is because on thier Router there is a special Port which allows Sky to access your Router and change any settings they want if needed be

Other routers cannot do so

Josh

 

[seavixen32]

Thanks again Josh. In view of what you say I'm just going to soldier on until September, and then switch to another ISP that doesn't have such a constricting and intrusive way of operating.