How do I correctly configure DD-WRT router with a second Netgear router?

[Tesla]

Hi all,

My parents have the following setup:

Spare bedroom: Cable modem -> Netgear wired router with 4-port switch -> PC1

Office: Cable from Netgear 4-port switch -> DD-WRT (Buffalo Wireless router) -> PC2

Originally I had it all setup so the Netgear was the DHCP server and the Buffalo just acted as a WAP.

I have now had a play with DD-WRT to try and improve stability as they were often resetting things. I want the DD-WRT to act as the WAP and the DHCP server.

I have given the DD-WRT an IP of 192.168.1.1 and the Netgear 192.168.1.2.
I have switched off DHCP on the Netgear.
I inputted the Gateway and Local DNS on the DD-WRT as that of the Netgear's IP address 192.168.1.2.

I realise there network was a bit of an odd setup but it's the only way I could get the layout they wanted without running more cabling.

I am tempted to relocate the cable modem to the office though as that would do away with the requirement for the Netgear router which is also being used as a switch.

Is DD-WRT going to be much more stable? I was finding that it was the Netgear switch and WAP crashing independently from time to time so by switching off DHCP hopefully the Netgear will be more stable.

If I just used the Netgear as a pure switch would that work? Does the cable modem have to be connected directly to a router? Can I point the DD-WRT at the cable modem through the switch? Perhaps I am mis-understanding the roles of the hardware on my network?

Any recommendations appreciated.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

throw the netgear router in the bin, replace it with the dd-wrt one - simples!

 

[Tesla]

I can't do this with current wiring.

 

[Duke]

You can plug the modem into a switch but its very fiddly to get working. Better off moving the modem if needed. I find DD-WRT pretty good but you can also get a Linksys WRT54G cheap which can run tomato, to save moving the modem.