Connecting Two Routers To Fibre Modem

[securespark]

Thanks very much.

Just to get my head around this, your setup is:

Modem -> Router 1 (old) -> Router 2 (new)

The date is incorrect on number 2 (it should get the time/date automatically? [unless it's too far out ])

Yes, all correct!

And you are having WiFi/password issues with number 1?

Yes. It changes the password on the screen when you go into settings, but obviously, the old password is still valid when connecting to it for WiFi.

Is the WiFi working correctly with number 2, you can connect to it, and are you able to change the password with out issues?

Yes. I can connect to the new router (number 2) and just to check, I changed the password successfully, but for now I have changed it back to the one it came with.

It sounds like the new password is not being saved when you change it. Are you sure you are changing it on the correct router?

No, that's right. I thought initially it had saved the new password (as it was altered on the screen and when I logged out of the router, and back in again the password was still showing as the new one I had altered from the original. Yes, definitely changing it on the correct router otherwise I would be losing WiFi on the 2nd (new) router.

Also, are you aware that the modem also has an IP address, and you have taken this into account when setting new addresses for number 1 and 2? (and also the IP address range for DHCP?)

Will check the settings and report back here.

Other than double checking everything you have done (it does sound like it's setup right) then it could be an issue with the router

I shall swap it out when the replacement arrives and let you know.

 

[securespark]

The OpenReach modem apparently uses 192.168.1.1

Routers 1 & 2 use consecutive numbers at the other end of the scale, outside the DHCP range, in other words 250+.

The DHCP range is 192.168.1.1 - 192.168.1.250.

 

[Monkeh]

I would strongly advise just dumping the ISP supplied things.

What is your use case for two, anyway?

 

[securespark]

One for the kids (access controlled) and one for the printer & CH and WiFi for adults.

 

[Monkeh]

One decent router can do that by itself. Consider replacing the mess with something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WR841N-300Mbps-Wireless-Router/dp/B001FWYGJS

At least with those you can type a password in and have it listen to you.

 

[securespark]

Hell this is getting creepy.

I have today taken the old (original) router out of service and replaced it with another 2704N. Both routers have passwords and SSID's different to each other and different to the one taken OOS.

Here is a picture of the OOS router next to a phone which apparently is getting a good WiFi signal from it. The sticker is peeling off the unit as it has been removed, stuck elsewhere then replaced. It does however match the router. The top 3 routers listed on the screen are all mine, but only two are in service... and neither of them are the one he's connected to.

WTF is going on, guys?

 

[securespark]

Monkeh, thanks.

How does that router control access? At the moment, I have two routers, each supplying internet access via Cat 6 and WiFi, one to the kids stuff and the other to the printer, CH & adult kit.

I can kill the supply to the kids stuff at will which is handy or even put it on a 7 day timer.

 

[Monkeh]

It supports a 'guest' wireless network which you can schedule. Wired control, if needed, would require some more effort (but is totally doable).

 

[securespark]

Cheers. What do you make of my "ghost router" issue?

 

[Monkeh]

If it's showing up on one device, it's dumb, restart it. If more than one, you or someone else has set something to use that SSID.

 

[securespark]

Thanks.

There are two routers but both are using factory set SSID's that are different from each other and different from the disconnected router. For that matter, the passwords are both factory set, different from each other and different from the disconnected router.

I was thinking the culprit could be a devolo wireless doobrey but I have disconnected that and the smartphones are still connecting to the internet via the disconnected unit. How can this be? It's really messing with my head!

I am about to interrogate the routers that are in service to double check their passwords and SSID's.

There couldn't be any setting on a router that would get it to clone another router's details are there?

 

[securespark]

OK. Both routers are showing the SSID's as seen on the smartphone screen (the 2nd and 3rd down) and the passwords are as they should be. The SSID and password of the disconnected router are both nothing like either of the two that are connected.

Have tried deleting the SSID on my smartphone but can't find a way to do this, can only click "forget" but the SSID stays put.

 

[securespark]

Right. Pinned it down to a hidden and forgotten about devolo unit.

Changed the SSID and password on it to one of the in-service routers.

Thanks Monkeh, Roganty and everyone else who helped. Much appreciated, guys.

 

[roganty]

Right. Pinned it down to a hidden and forgotten about devolo unit.

Changed the SSID and password on it to one of the in-service routers.

Thanks Monkeh, Roganty and everyone else who helped. Much appreciated, guys.

That hidden devolo unit must of been the reason why your WiFi password wasn't changing!

Glad to help, and happy to hear that you have everything working.

 

[securespark]

That hidden devolo unit must of been the reason why your WiFi password wasn't changing!

Never thought of that!