RT-N16 -> RT-N66U

[michiganguy]

Just upgraded my trusty RT-N16 to a RT-N66U. Using stock asus firmware on both. I want to use my old RT-N16 as an access point in another part of my house... and have a couple questions. I've already set that router to function as "access point", and plugged it in to the network via ethernet cable. Seems to be working, but have a couple questions:

Where the RT-N16 access point is, I have the ethernet cable plugged in to a LAN port. Is there any way to use the other LAN ports as a switch? I have some other stuff in this area that I want to hardwire. I tried something but it didn't seem to work. Do I need to put a switch in front of this router if I want to do this? Seems like a waste!

When people come to my house and connect to my wifi, will the devices travel to the other access point that is strongest? My feeling from researching this is that it basically won't happen and they will stay attached to whatever router they initially hooked up to. Thoughts?

 

[CaptainSTX]

It will work if set up correctly. The LAN ports can be used.

If the N16 has the option to put it in the AP mode do so. If not just disable the DHCP server on the N16.

For complete instructions/ options read the piece on this site on how to repurpose a router as an AP.

 

[michiganguy]

Thanks for reply. N16 does have the option for access point, which I am using. Found a couple posts about repurposing, but can't find anything on getting the LAN ports to work like a switch.

 

[Pierino]

You can put dd-wrt on it and set it up as a repeater bridge.
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeater_Bridge

 

[CaptainSTX]

The LAN ports working as a switch is the default setup on any AP or router.

In the AP mode on the N16 you can actually plug the Ethernet cable from the LAN port on the N66 into the WAN port on the N16 as in the AP mode it has been converted to a LAN port or at least it has on newer hardware models from ASUS.

To get your AP working try resetting the N16 to factory defaults to clear out all settings then set it to operate in the AP mode and finally adjust whatever settings including security you need on the AP.

 

[moonman]

Pierino misunderstood. If you want dd-wrt on the router, read here: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_Access_Point
Repeater Bridge is not what you want if you have a source LAN cable plugged in.

As a bonus, when using dd-wrt you can reassign wan port to the switch.