Networking two routers together at my college, need help please!

[n0aH]

Hey guys! So i am going to college in 2 weeks and i will be sharing a 4 bedroom apartment with some friends. Two of the four people will have their own separate modem (separate internet account), and all four people will have their computers so each person will be sharing their connection with their neighbor. My question is how do i connect these two separate Internets into one LAN so that we can LAN games together?

I know i need two separate wireless routers, but how will i connect the two routers together?
Do i need to connect the two routers together with an Ethernet cable?
Or Do i need to get a wireless access point?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks!

[I.M.O.G.]

Easiest way would be to get a wireless access point. If you all want to LAN, everyone connects to the wireless AP and your good to go. Otherwise, they'd normally connect to their local router.

Connecting routers together is only going to work the way you want it to with advanced custom firmware (ddwrt/tomato), but if you want a challenge this could likely be done.

[n0aH]

So how could be connect to the wireless access point with our desktop's if they don't have wireless cards on them?

[I.M.O.G.]

Install a wireless card in the PC. Or run cables to one router/access point while LAN gaming.

[n0aH]

Since I am going to college I don't want to spend more than I have to. I am also going to be majoring computer science so the challenge would be helpful in the learning experience. Would running an ethernet cord between the two routers be the cheapest option?

[I.M.O.G.]

Running an ethernet cord between the two routers, and running all network cables to one router would be roughly equivalent in cost.

This is how you'd connect the routers together:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Switch

These are the routers which dd-wrt supports:
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

The best option really tho is likely running all network cables to one router when you want to LAN. Now that you see the directions, you might see how it could be difficult switching between a LAN gaming config, back to the normal setup where each router is going thru its own modem and internet connection.

[neonblingbling]

I think the real question is: why is one apartment getting two internet subscriptions? :p

[n0aH]

Thanks for the help. It is much appreciated. I think that we have some decisions to make =)

[I.M.O.G.]

BTW, you can get cheapo wireless cards for like $10/piece. I know when in college I didn't always have 10 bucks to spare, but its an option.

[thehacker010]

I think the real question is: why is one apartment getting two internet subscriptions? :p

When I lived on campus at one university, each apartment room had its own separate Comcast connection. When you signed up for internet with Comcast, you gave your apartment number AND room number. The only thing you have to worry about is what are the rules about sharing internet. Comcast had STRICT rules about not sharing with other roommates. Somehow, either from surprise room checks by the apartment staff or Comcast monitoring internet usage, I had a friend who got a nasty letter about using routers in the apartment.

If the only purpose is to play LAN games, I would think the easiest method would to put a wireless NIC in 2 computers and have them connect to the other router during LAN games.

[neonblingbling]

When I lived on campus at one university, each apartment room had its own separate Comcast connection. When you signed up for internet with Comcast, you gave your apartment number AND room number. The only thing you have to worry about is what are the rules about sharing internet. Comcast had STRICT rules about not sharing with other roommates. Somehow, either from surprise room checks by the apartment staff or Comcast monitoring internet usage, I had a friend who got a nasty letter about using routers in the apartment.

Wow, that's pretty lame. My on-campus housing was provided by the school, and we just had to log in. I could log on multiple computers in my dorm, and I never got any troubles.

I would expect an apartment (not owned by school) would be the same as a single family using a router and what not... Unless that's against the contract. :-/

[n0aH]

I think the real question is: why is one apartment getting two internet subscriptions? :p

Yeah, each room is "supposed" to have thier own internet subscription which is LAME, so what we are going to do is just share the two ones and hope we don't get caught :p