Internet Configuration

[support]

One pcWRT will function as a router (let’s call it PCWRT1), the other as AP (let’s call it PCWRT2). You’ll connect like this:

1. Connect the WAN port on the PCWRT1 to a LAN port on your ISP router.
2. Connect a LAN port on PCWRT1 to a LAN port on PCWRT2. Preferably, tag the connected port on both sides. If you don’t tag the ports, only LAN will be served from PCWRT2.
3. Switch PCWRT2 to AP mode

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you can keep SSID broadcast on the ISP router. But devices connected to the ISP router won’t be visible from the pcWRT interface, and can’t be controlled by the pcWRT router.
2. You can access the router remotely regardless of VLAN configurations. I’m not sure how your safety devices are connected, but in general your safety devices should continue to work regardless of remote management or VLANs.
3. You can set up another PCWRT by wireless mesh networking.
4. How many devices are we talking about here? What’s the ISP speed and expected bandwidth consumption?

[bambina]

3. Regards the mesh, well is the 2 proposed router set up above not classed as a mesh?
also what about double NAT?
do i need to be concerned with DHCP, DCP etc?
Can I turn off IPV6 or do i need that running?
Is there any more data on me adding the 3rd router/AP via wireless connection please?

4. 150mb download speed
Possibly about 15 to 25 devices i would estimate yet i dont know for sure until i get the full set up sorted so i can observe whats going on as theres always complaints about the speed issues yet im sure someone is consuming excess bandwith as only 6 people there yet if you was to say 6 people with laptops + phones = 12 devices + IOT = 6 more devices + a couple of guests and that should be full load on the network.
The smart TV is on hard wire.

[support]

3. You can connect two pcWRT routers by wire or by wireless. What I’m suggesting here is a three router setup: 1 router + 1 AP connected by wire + 1 wireless satellite node. They’ll all be in the same subnet – so no NATting. IPv6 is not enabled by default. Check out this video for wireless mesh setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lIyd4BCsEQ

4. If you have multiple devices streaming or gaming, 150Mbps is not a lot of bandwidth. If that’s the case, the only solution is to get more bandwidth from your ISP. But you can use bandwidth monitoring on the pcWRT to find out the bandwidth consumption for each device.

[bambina]

That video with the very distracting music which you kindly sent me was not helpful, im so so confused here as that clearly showed a partial set up of what i think was a router + a wireless meshed AP yet i dont want such a set up, nor would i be able to complete such a set up with such limited information from such a short limited video, i need a comprehensive idiots guide for a beginner as its been almost 1yr and still i have not ever set up router 1 correctly and i have 2 routers now and intend to add a 3rd if needed yet think its best to 1st get 2 routers set up meshed correctly yet i really need all config as i dont even know what the same subnet means 100% you see? please help as i really want to use your kit? thanks

[support]

@bambina Let’s set up your first router then. What problems are you encountering with the single router? You don’t have to travel to the tenant’s place to do this.

[bambina]

lol, i so need a full guide including all settings really as i see to have issues every step of the way, i mean for example i have just gone to reset the device to start all over again yet fail to be able to even reset the router or find out where you state how to reset it either, i have spent a longtime searching on your forum and online and just cant get the answer anywhere…
I have tried holding in the reset button for up to 30secs yet to no avail, i also tried power off router then hold in the reset button then power up whilst still holding it in for 30secs yet still to no avail 🙁

[support]

@bambina Follow the steps here to reset the router: https://portal.pcwrt.com/blog/2024/04/03/how-to-reset-the-pcwrt-router/

[Author]

Posts