Setting up network using WAP

[Perscitus]

I'm running Verizon Fios at home and need to get better wireless coverage around the house. Preferably I would like to use 1 SSID, so tablets and such could seamlessly transition as someone moves about. I have attempted this by running a Ethernet cable to the top floor (Fios modem/router is in basement) and hooking it to a router which sits next to my home server (TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND).

 

I spoke with the customer service at TP-Link before buying to confirm it would work, they said it would be fine, just turn off DHCP on router2 and set a static IP outside the range of the Fios modem (ex:192.168.1.254). I did this... it consistently fails after a day or couple days, but does seem to work before failing.

 

So I tried customer service again to work the issue out and the next guy had me use 192.168.2.1 (keeping DHCP on)... This didn't work either, and nothing down stairs could connect to the server or anything upstairs.

 

I've been going at this a while and am at my wits end... so time to reach out for some proper help. OCC never lets me down =)

 

Side note: Should I just get another router that is more suited for functioning as an access point? I know some have the "run as access point" feature that might make solution more simple. If this is the suggestion, is there a particular model anyone suggests?

[wevsspot]

Are you still running the TP-Link stock firmware?

 

And to be sure I understand,  are you wanting to use the TP-Link wireless router upstairs as a wifi repeater or wifi access point?

 

The tech support recommendation to enable DHCP on both routers is a big fail.

[Perscitus]

@wevsspot

 

1. Yup still on the stock firmware

 

2. I'd like it to be a wifi access point, so my devices can connect to a strong signal throughout the house on the same SSID/pw

 

3. Tech support is soso from TP-Link, they don't exactly have the solutions, but they do try at least. lol

[wevsspot]

Depending on how comfortable you are upgrading the firmware on the TP Link router, you might consider changing from the TP Link official firmware over to DD-WRT firmware.  You'll have more control and IMHO stability running with the DD-WRT firmware.

 

From your original post you were headed in the right direction before contacting TP Link.  In a nutshell;

 

1. Connect via cable to your old TP Link wireless router

2. Open the router configuration page

3. Disable DHCP server on the TP Link wireless router (you can also disable DHCP on your FIOS router if you want to assign static IP addresses, but if you want to automatically assign IP addresses to your devices, leave DHCP enabled on the FIOS router)

4. Assign a new IP address to the old TP Link wireless router.  It can't be the same IP address as your FIOS router.  So for example if your FIOS router has an IP address of; 192.168.1.1, you want to set the IP address of the old TP Link router to something different like; 192.168.1.2

5. Make sure the subnet on both routers is set to 255.255.255.0

6. Disable UPnP on the old TP Link wireless router

7. Disable the NAT firewall on the old TP Link wireless router (as I'm assuming that your FIOS router already has a firewall that is operational)

 

Wireless settings on old TP Link router;

1. If possible set a static wifi band/speed (i.e. don't let the TP Link wireless router automatically assign band/speed)  So if all of your devices have at least a G radio, set the wifi band to G.  If all of your devices have at least an N radio, set the wifi band to N etc.

2. Set the SSID of the old TP Link wireless router - make sure you give it a SSID that is different than your FIOS router

3. I recommend manually setting non-conflicting wireless channels for both routers (i.e. if one router is transmitting / receiving on channel 6 - set the other router to transmit / receive on channel 11 etc.)

4. Save all your changes to the old TP Link wireless router and reboot the device.  Open the router configuration page again and make sure that all of your changes "stuck"

5. Power down both routers.

6. Disconnect the ethernet cable you've been using to connect the old router to your PC or laptop.

7. Connect an ethernet cable from one of the LAN ports on your FIOS router to one of the LAN ports on your old TP Link wireless router (do not use the WAN port!)

8. Power both routers back up and check for functionality

 

I believe this covers all of the steps.  Let me know if you have any problems.