How To Setup Two Networks With One Modem?

Setting up two separate networks using a single device like a modem enables us to enhance and extend the secondary guest network with security features and connected devices. We can do that so one network can be used for personal purposes and the second one for the guest network. This will also separate them so that they don’t tamper with the primary network. Also, two networks allow us to diversify the settings across both networks. Thus bridging two networks helps enhance network access in larger spaces.

We can extend the existing LAN network and increase the WIFI speed and coverage. For this, we can connect multiple routers to one network. Most of the routers have more than 5 ethernet ports. While the color of both the LAN and WAN allows us to identify the separation clearly, we can easily connect routers with each other.

The second router can be connected to the devices of the first but the reverse is not valid. For example,  there are printers connected on both routers but the device in the first network cannot be connected to print to the second while the devices in the second router can be connected to the first router printers.

Method 1: Extending Network With the Help of a Switch

The simplest way to extend the wired network is to use a switch with multiple LAN ports (8 or 16 or 24 ) and connect it to the LAN port of the existing router. This requires no extra cost and we can easily connect network printers, and gaming console drives using multiple LAN ports.

Method 2: Connecting Two Networks by Hotspot

Step 1: Open Network and internet from the settings menu.

Step 2: Go to the Mobile hotspot.

Step 3: Click on Edit. Change the network name and password.

Step 4: Enable “Share my internet connection with other devices” for Mobile hotspots.

Step 5: Alternatively, click on the PC icon on the desktop and enable the mobile hotspot.

Method 3: Connecting Two Networks With Two Routers by Ethernet

The following steps allow us to connect two routers having two separate networks 

Step 1: Insert the LAN cable, preferably a yellow one into the router which has the internet connection. Usually, the first router has a net connection and we have to find the LAN IP address of the first one.

Step 2: Insert the other end to the router that we want to provide the internet. (Both the routers have the cable preferably in the first slot.)

Step 3: Turn on the second router and find the LED light flashing on the first device. If we see an LED light flashing or blinking then the configuration is proper to proceed ahead  

Step 4: Configure router 1 to connect to the internet on router 2. 

Step 5: Locate the setting configuration of the second router and set up the range extender.

Step 6: Search and connect to the already existing router

Step 7: Change the privacy settings (network name and password )of the secondary router to the desired name and password.

Method 4: Connecting two Networks with one Modem, and two Routers:

Step 1: Attach the cable that has internet service to the connector of the modem. Activate the modem by setting up the Mac id and the serial number of the modem. Connect one side of the ethernet port to the modem and another side to the router.

Step 2: Long Press the reset button to reset the router.

Step 3: power on the router and connect to the computer.

Step 4: Open the browser and enter the default IP address of the router.

Step 5: Set up the router and follow the login steps.

Step 6: Reset the second router and repeat the same process.

Step 7: Attach the Ethernet from the LAN port on the first router and connect it to the WAN port of the second.

Step 8: Repeat the same steps in the browser and configure the IP.

Benefits:

1. Supports more devices: With a single network, only limited devices are connected while two networks give an extra edge by allowing more computers to join the network.
2. Improves the reach: Adding a second router to the existing network can extend its reach to accommodate far-away devices.
3. Support for hybrid networks both wired and wireless.