Help me set up a home network

[JoeyM]

I would appreciate any help in setting up my home network.

I have Asus RT-N66U and Asus RT-AC66R wireless routers, Cable internet, house is wired with Cat 5 cable. I have an external USB hard drive I'd like to plug into the router for media and data storage. I also have a separate Unraid server that I use primarily to stream media but also for data backup. I have a Logitech Transporter for music and a multiple media playback options (Kodi box, WDTV Live, Amazon Fire, HTPC, HDHomerun Prime) and OBi for telephone. I have unmanaged switches for extra Ethernet ports if needed.

That's a lot of stuff!

First, I want to attach the RT-N66U to the cable modem and use that for Firewall/security, Wifi. I then want to attach the RT-AC66r to the RT-N66U via wired cable to the other side of the house (thereby giving me full home coverage). What ports and setting do I use for the AC66R? Settings for the N66U? DHCP server?

That's enough for now but you can see I have a complicated setup for a non IT person.

Thanks,

Joe M.

 

[smitbret]

What you need is to decide which Asus you would like to have be the main router (DHCP, etc.). Personnaly, I would lean toward the AC66U but I doubt there will really be much of a difference. The decision would probably come down to where I am most likely to need wireless AC.

Then set the other one up as an Access Point:
http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

You'll probably want to set up your SSIDs on each router with the same name/password but on different channels (1 or 6 or 11).

The hardest part should be running the cable between the two.

 

[JoeyM]

Thanks for your help. Cable is already run (House was wired with cat5 for telephone many years ago). Will wireless clients automatically know which router to join if they both have the same SSID?

 

[smitbret]

That's why you give them the same name and password; that way it just automatically connects to the strongest of the two and hangs on until the signal is lost. If you want certain devices connecting to certain APs then giving the SSIDs different names will solve that.

The only thing you may have to worry about is if you roam around with the devices because they won't hand off until the signal is dropped. You may end up in a situation where you walked away from the originating AP and you could be getting a better signal in the new room with the other one but the device won't switch. Turning off the WiFi in the device or simply disconnecting and then reconnecting will solve that, though.

 

[JoeyM]

Thanks. I did what you said and it works perfectly. I have WiFi in the basement and upstairs on the other side of the house; just what I hoped for. Asus has a setting for "access point" that takes care of firewall and DHCP settings.

Now to get the external hard drive connected and accessible by all clients.