Tweak a Router to use as an access point

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  1. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,343
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #1

    Tweak a Router to use as an access point


    I have a 12 years old daughter that has just received a tablet for xmas.

    I bought a Archer C21 because I read that it has a parental control.

    The Archer C21 has 3 operation modes (Router, access point and WiFi extender) but only has parental control as a Router.

    I have a ISP that gave me a cable modem with a router and I can't configure it as a cable modem only.

    So the internet source is a cable modem with a router and my daughter tablet will be connected to the Archer C21.

    As the Archer C21 only has parental control as a Router, how to configure it as an access point with parental control?

    If I connect the cable modem router (LAN) to the WAN of the Archer C21 I don't have internet.
    If I connect the cable modem router (LAN) to one LAN of the Archer C21 I do have internet but how does it manager as both are trying to assign n iP address to each other?

    It doesn't matter what OS is the client of the Access Point but, as requested mine is Win 11 22631.3007
    Last edited by Megahertz; 12 Feb 2024 at 17:34.
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  3. Pentagon
    Posts : 664
    WIN 10 19045.4291
       New #2

    Example: Modem Router IP 192.168.1.1
    Archer C21 (input) IP 192.168.1.2
    Archer C21 (output) 192.168.2.2
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  4. cereberus
    Posts : 15,491
    Windows10
       New #3

    You need to set up second router by connecting lan on main router to wan port on second router.

    Then connect tablet to second router.

    Connecting LAN to LAN will not work unless dhcp is disabled on second router. Problem then is internet gateway is on primary router and you will struggle to use parental control.

    By connecting LAN to WAN second router is behind a NAT firewall , and when tablet connects to second router, you can use parental controls independently of lan on primary router.

    The IP address of 2nd router has to be on a different subnet e.g. if main router is 192.168.0.1 the second router needs a different 3rd digit e.g 192.168.1.1.

    I suspect both routers are on same subnet by default (same 3rd number) and that is why you are having issues.
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  6. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,343
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Pentagon said:
    Example: Modem Router IP 192.168.1.1
    Archer C21 (input) IP 192.168.1.2
    Archer C21 (output) 192.168.2.2
    Thanks Pentagon. To be honest I did not understand what you mean by input and output.


    cereberus said:
    You need to set up second router by connecting lan on main router to wan port on second router.
    Then connect tablet to second router.
    Connecting LAN to LAN will not work unless dhcp is disabled on second router. Problem then is internet gateway is on primary router and you will struggle to use parental control.
    By connecting LAN to WAN second router is behind a NAT firewall , and when tablet connects to second router, you can use parental controls independently of lan on primary router.

    The IP address of 2nd router has to be on a different subnet e.g. if main router is 192.168.0.1 the second router needs a different 3rd digit e.g 192.168.1.1.
    I suspect both routers are on same subnet by default (same 3rd number) and that is why you are having issues.

    Thanks cereberus.

    I'm not at home ATM but will try as soon as I return.
    - I will set the IP address of the Archer C21 (the one with parental control) as 192.168.2.9 (today it's 192.168.0.9) and the Cable modem router is 192.168.0.7
    - I will connect the Cable modem router LAN port 1 to the WAN port of the Archer C21

    What about the IP the Archer C21 assigns to the clients? Now it's 192.168.0.21 to 192.168.0.30. Should I also change to 192.168.2.21 to 192.168.2.30?
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  7. Samuria
    Posts : 8,111
    windows 10
       New #5

    Turn off DHCP on the router and it will work if you end up with 2 different subnets you wont be able to connect to other pcs
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  8. cereberus
    Posts : 15,491
    Windows10
       New #6

    Samuria said:
    Turn off DHCP on the router and it will work if you end up with 2 different subnets you wont be able to connect to other pcs
    If you connect lan to wan, both routers need dhcp. If you connect Lan to Lan, only one should have dhcp. It does not matter which but less confusing if you disable dhcp on second router.

    Also pcs in second subnet can see routers on first subnet but not other way round.

    Pluses and minuses.
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  9. Pentagon
    Posts : 664
    WIN 10 19045.4291
       New #7

    In my office I have s.th. like this:

    Tweak a Router to use as an access point-access-point_w945_h500.png

    A Main ISP Router with Internet Connection and 4 LAN Ports (fixed IP-Address 192.168.1.1)
    Each Lan Port is connected to a Secondary Router (LAN 1 input) (192.168.1.11 | 192.168.1.12 | 192.168.1.13 | 192.168.1.14)
    Secondary Router 1 192.168.1.11 (input) 192.168.11.1 (output)
    Secondary Router 2 192.168.1.12 (input) 192.168.12.1 (output)
    Secondary Router 3 192.168.1.13 (input) 192.168.13.1 (output)
    Secondary Router 4 192.168.1.14 (input) 192.168.14.1 (output)
    All with DHCP enabled
    Each department has its own subnet.
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  10. User2468
    Posts : 295
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #8

    You need to make sure the MODEM is set to BRIDGING mode.

    To do that you login to the modem's interface via browser (read the manual or ask your ISP how) and change to bridging mode.


    The modem's LAN port connection goes the the ROUTER's WAN port connection.

    Your issue is probably due to a double NAT: two DHCPs (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) working against each other.


    In addition to the router's parental controls, you may want to check out the following:

    NextDNS - The new firewall for the modern Internet

    Introducing 1.1.1.1 for Families

    Cloud Delivered Enterprise Security by OpenDNS

    There's another cool device that should work much better at the ARP level. I don't remember its name, but was apparently made by Disney. Didn't have good reviwes at Chinazon though which is a shame because there's no better way to control your network then at the ARP level. The device actually "hacks" your network at the ARP level with ARP spoofing. Basically redirecting traffic if it's in your block list and whatnot.
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  12. User2468
    Posts : 295
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #9

    You do mean the modem is a modem/router combo unit? Not two separate units? If two separate units, just use the Archer in replace of the router you got from the ISP. The modem does need to be in bridging mode though when you connect a router to a modem.

    MODEM <----> Archer Router
    LAN--------------WAN
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  13. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,343
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
    Thread Starter
       New #10

    F22 Simpilot said:
    You do mean the modem is a modem/router combo unit? Not two separate units? If two separate units, just use the Archer in replace of the router you got from the ISP. The modem does need to be in bridging mode though when you connect a router to a modem.

    MODEM <----> Archer Router
    LAN--------------WAN
    Thanks,
    The Cable Modem Router also has two phone lines and as I mentioned on my first post, I cant set the Cable Modem Router as Bridge. It is locked by the ISP. Also I would be using the Cable Modem Router as my internet source (cable and WiFi).
    The Archer Router will be exclusively to my daughter.
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