can i use a router as a switch

mattux · 20 Nov 2011 at 09:36

Hi

I need to add more network points behind my tv.
Is it possible to use my old netgear DG834 v2 as a switch?
If this is possible what changes do i need to make to the settings of the DG834 dg please?

Cheers

Phemo · 20 Nov 2011 at 09:56

Yes. Firstly change its IP address to something else that won't conflict with anything else on your network already, then turn off the DHCP server on it. Also disable the wireless unless you want a second SSID to connect to.

Deception · 20 Nov 2011 at 10:28

Phemo said:
Yes. Firstly change its IP address to something else that won't conflict with anything else on your network already, then turn off the DHCP server on it. Also disable the wireless unless you want a second SSID to connect to.

Also, when you plug the cable in to it, put it in a LAN port and not the internet port too.

mattux · 20 Nov 2011 at 17:05

hey guys thanks very much for the info.
Just one more question, do i need a crossover cable or normal cable.

Cheers

bremen1874 · 20 Nov 2011 at 17:08

normal

Edit: actually it wouldn't matter as a DG834 has 'Auto Uplink' on all four ports

mattux · 20 Nov 2011 at 18:03

Great stuff.

Thanks everyone.

Grimgoth · 21 Nov 2011 at 16:14

I am trying to do something similar with my network;
does the IP address I assign to it have to be in the IP pool that the actual DHCP server can use/give out, or outside?
also does this should work if it is actually router--> homeplug --> old netgear, right?

Phemo · 21 Nov 2011 at 16:18

Outside of it ideally, but I believe the DHCP servers on most home routers won't allocate an address that's already been statically assigned within the DHCP pool so it should be ok.

Personally I prefer to start my home network's DHCP range at something like x.x.x.10 and use the lower addresses for potential static assignments.

If it's going to just be used as a switch then yes, plugging in via homeplug is fine. Just use the LAN side ports only if it's a cable router.

Dist · 21 Nov 2011 at 23:57

If it is a wireless router you don't have to disable wireless, just set it to the same SSID, Encryption type and key as any other wifi network that your main router runs, and as long as it is on a different channel that doesn't overlap with the main router, than it will work perfectly fine and any wifi devices will just connect to whichever it gets the best signal from.