How to Set Up Multiple Routers

by Steve McDonnell Google

When you set up multiple routers on a network, designate the router that connects to the Internet as the gateway and the other routers as routers. Configure the gateway with a WAN and LAN address, firewall and DHCP server. Configure the other routers with a LAN address only and disable the WAN, firewall and DHCP server, since these secondary routers will only route traffic inside the LAN. When you need to open ports in the router, open the ports on the gateway only.

Prepare to Configure

Insert an Ethernet cable into one of Ethernet ports in the row of adjacent ports on the back of the gateway. Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to a laptop or desktop computer to use when configuring the gateway.

Launch a browser and navigate to the setup screens for the router by typing the router's default IP address, which might vary by manufacturer. For example, for a Linksys router type "" (without quotes here and throughout) and press "Enter."

Sign in to the router with the default username and password. Enter a new password when prompted to properly secure the gateway's setup information.

Complete the steps in Section 2 if the router is the gateway. Complete the steps in Section 3 if the router is not the gateway.

Configure Gateway

Choose "DHCP" or "Automatic" for the WAN type unless you purchased a fixed IP address. Enter the IP address information exactly as provided by your ISP if you purchased a static address.

Use the gateway's default address for the LAN address. For example, on a Linksys router, enter "" for the IP address and "" for the subnet mask to provide valid LAN addresses from to Enter a different IP address and subnet mask if you want to use something other than the default.

Enable the DHCP server, which will assign IP addresses to new computers that connect to the network. Select a subrange of valid LAN addresses to set aside for the DHCP server to assign. Enter this as the DHCP address range. For example, type "" to "" as the DHCP range.

Enter the address for the default gateway, which is the local address of the gateway. For example, type "".

Leave the two DNS server fields either blank or as zeroes if you want to use the DNS servers your ISP provides. Enter two DNS server addresses if you want to use different servers. For example, use and for OpenDNS or and for Google Public DNS.

Configure the wireless settings if it's a wireless router. Assign a name to your network and enter it into the SSID field. Set an encryption type of WPA-2 and type a wireless password that devices must use to connect to the network. Choose a specific channel or set the channel to "Auto."

Save your changes. Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the laptop and the router. Insert an Ethernet cable into the WAN Ethernet port on the back of the router, which will either be set off to the side, in a different color or labeled WAN. Connect the other end of the cord to your cable or DSL modem. Power down the modem, power down the router, power on the modem, wait a minute, and then power on the router.

Configure Routers

Set the WAN connection type to "None" or "Disabled."

Assign a fixed IP address and subnet mask to the router that's valid for the LAN and not in the DHCP range. For example, type "" for the local IP address and "" for the subnet mask.


Use the gateway's address as the DNS server for the router, since the gateway is configured with the external DNS servers you decided to use. For example, type "" as the first DNS server address and leave the other address blank.

Save your changes, reboot the router and log back in to the router at its new address, for example, and enter the new administrative password you assigned.

Disable the DHCP server. Disable the firewall and set the router type to Router instead of Gateway if that's an option.

Configure the wireless settings for this router if it's also going to function as an access point. Assign the same SSID as the gateway and type the wireless password you assigned.

Save your changes and reboot the router. Disconnect the Ethernet cable and reconnect it at its permanent location on the LAN.


  • You might be able to plug in, connect and use multiple routers with your network without configuring anything. However, you will unintentionally establish a different network for each router and will have problems sharing resources and using applications that require designated ports.

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