Learning Networkings Basics - Extension of a LAN

Three months ago, I began exploring networking with the Cisco Networking Basics course, and it was fun. Then, just a month later, I encountered a simple networking task, and I was glad I took the course. Not because the task was complex, but because I understood each step and knew why I was doing what I did. Let me provide some background.

I used to subscribe to a monthly unlimited internet package from a popular Mobile Network Operator in my country, which is also an ISP (Internet Service Provider). I won't mention the company's name, so I'll call it OPERATOR. In my opinion, it was expensive and slow. It cost 15,000 XOF, about $27 per month, and once you used 25GB, your internet speed dropped from 2MB to 1MB. After using the first 25GB, the rest of the month was a struggle: the speed was slow, and you could barely browse websites other than YouTube. Under these conditions, taking online courses was tough. So, after some recommendations from friends, I decided to switch to another Mobile Network Operator that offers fiber optic for faster internet.

TL;DR: I'm really satisfied right now. I hope it stays this way.

Now, here's the problem: the location where the fiber optic and main router were installed doesn't let my phone connect to the Wi-Fi when I'm in my room. The solution is to extend the network. The good news is that we have a second router at home. So, I need to connect the second router to the first one and place it near my room.

I did it, and it was easy. I just followed a few steps and asked chat.gpt if I had any doubts. I used the second router as a switch, so now I have one local network.

Let's name the router that comes with the optic fiber (the one provided by the ISP) MAIN_ROUTER, and the second one SECOND_ROUTER. Here are the steps and reasons:

• Get the MAIN_ROUTER's configuration info:

  • Access the admin page: The admin ID, password, and IP are on the back of the router.

  • Write down information like:

    • Gateway (router address): This will be used by a host as the Destination IP Address for transmission outside of the LAN.

    • DNS server: It's important to save the correct address; otherwise, even if you have an internet connection, you can't reach websites.

    • IP range, subnet mask.

• Connect the SECOND_ROUTER to the first one through the LAN port (usually orange or yellow).

• Configure the SECOND_ROUTER by:

  • Change its mode to Bridge or Access Point, or select an option other than acting as a Router if available.

  • Entering the same configuration info listed above on its admin page.

  • Disabling its DHCP Server to ensure that the MAIN_ROUTER is the only one assigning IP addresses to hosts.

  • Giving it a static address outside the IP range of the MAIN_ROUTER but in the same subnet. For example, if the IP range of MAIN_ROUTER is 192.168.1.100 - 192.168.1.254 (and the subnet is 192.168.1.1/24), you can set the SECOND_ROUTER IP address to 192.168.1.2.68.1.2.

It's not really that complicated, but I like it.