Networking with 2 routers?

[Det0natoR]

Ok, we (my brother and I) are setup on a home network. We both have our own routers. Right now my router is setup behind his DMZ. We can both access the internet, but can't share files and whatnot through windows. Is there any way to set out network up so we can access each other's computers on the network?

[The VTech]

The primary Router may need a route to your IP of your router as well as creating a Windows Network to "share" files and folders etc using the same name for the network.

[trajik78]

why do you ahve 2 routers, a bit redundant isn't it? I'm sure your ping is higher than it has to be due to the NAT. If you need ports use a switch. Also make sure that your all connected to the same Windows workgroup.

[The VTech]

Originally Posted by trajik78

why do you ahve 2 routers, a bit redundant isn't it? I'm sure your ping is higher than it has to be due to the NAT. If you need ports use a switch.

I agree. Kind of a waste of a router unless you have 40 LANs and a giant office, more than one at home will slow you down as mentioned.
I would say a 10/100mb HUB would be a bit better than a 10/100mb Switch for this but hey, we all have different ideas of the perfect networks.
I have 6 routers (2 wireless) a 24port HUB and a 24port managed switch but it's all for testing and screwing around or screwing stuff up in a lot of cases.

[shabby1mn]

I'm thinking of doing something like this with my current setup. The reason why, is because I am currently hosting a Teamspeak server on a spare pc that I have. The problem though,is that I currently own a D-Link DGL-4300 router and whenever you change anything in the router it needs to reboot which then kills the teamspeak server and kicks everyone off it. (that happens because all of the PC's on the network either wireless or wired lose internet connection)

So, I was thinking of grabing my old linksys 4 port wired router and doing the cable modem to the linksys, then the linksys to the gamer lounge's wan port. I would just setup DMZ for the IP address of the DGL-4300 so that I could still use all of the routers wonderful features on the actual lan that my pc's would be on. WOuld something lik ethis work correctly, or should I look else where?

[The VTech]

It would work fine, but you are still going to continue loosing connections on the DGL anytime you make a change to the Linksys.
The reason is that you have to make updates to the routing tables and other items for traffic to pass between both networks in the DGL for the Linksys. You may cut down the amount of reboots but it will still need to happen.
A better solution would be to get a second IP from your ISP and give internet access directly to the Linksys. Make it totally seperate from your entire network and away from the DGL. Cox gives out second IPs for $6 a month extra. You can place a hub in front of both routers to split the internet for the second IP to have direct access. A managed switch will also give you more control but can be more expensive than a hub.

Also, double NAT environments can play havoc with games and other internet connections. It gets even worse if you pull a private DHCP from the ISP through the modem then you have a tripple NAT. You can make it work ya, but it's more trouble than it's worth in my view for a home network.

[vedaire]

Originally Posted by The VTech

Also, double NAT environments can play havoc with games and other internet connections. It gets even worse if you pull a private DHCP from the ISP through the modem then you have a tripple NAT. You can make it work ya, but it's more trouble than it's worth in my view for a home network.

VTech has it right multi NATs kill servers and throughput. Unless youneed to segragate a LAN for some reason there is no concivable reason to put in another router under your connection one. If you are just looking for the best solution to run a TS server get the second IP and use that for gaming/TS but expect to pay up to $20 a month for that second IP. Also cosider buying a less on a hosted TS server, they run from $4 up depending on load and numer of users.

If you do go for a second IP get a decent switch to put between the modem and the routers. A good switch with a real fabric may run a lttle higher than a cheap D-link/Linksys but will be worth it snce you wont have broadcasts eating bandwidth on the Router WAN ports.

[old Tnt]

i Have the setup metioned above
i have my DSL modem going to a 10mbps hub. from there it splits into 2 routers. one for my home network and one for my server. works fine