# 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 <mark>Bridge</mark> or <mark>Access Point</mark>, 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`.
        

![LAN ports on Router](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1758060181747/d38364cd-7b41-4407-bb03-e1acbe73abc1.jpeg align="center")

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