What to do with an extra WRT54GL?

[dfonda]

I replaced my Modem and Router...It turns out the Router was good.

A nice Linksys WRT54GL

Questions

1)I always wanted to install open source firmware... Tomato or what not. Can I just plug it in my other PC and do it from there, it won't cause any problems having 2 Routers will it? I'll have the Wifi shut off.

2) Can I get some advice on what folks do with an extra router like this in a home environment. I would like to build my networking skills up and need something to work on.

3) I now have a Linksys WRT 160n v2 is it a good one? I would like to use the N. We got our first Laptop this Christmas...this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115544&Tpk=34-115-544
The specs say draft n (On the laptop specs), is there a way tell if its using it? The range is not all that great, if it is using it. Right about the same as the WRT 54GL.

I am new on Vista and Laptops what can someone recommend to improve the N. Maybe a Wifi card?
Price matters somewhat but I would prefer to get it from Neweeg.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[moto211]

You could use it behind the new one and have 2 wireless networks...one with access to the internal network and one without. Also, you should definetly check out some third party firmwares. DD-WRT and Tomato are both great.

 

[ihrsetrdr]

You could configure it as a wireless access point or as a wireless bridge, with or without the dd-wrt firmware.

I had an extra WRT54G router at one time, that I was going to do dd-wrt with, but my daughter needed a router, so that's where it went. Have fun!

 

[imposter]

you can make the second router as a access point/switch . which try putting them at opposite sides of the house to get the most signal connection

 

[dfonda]

Thanks for the replies.

I checked properties on the Laptop adapter and its speed is 130Mbps that sounds right for N,

you can make the second router as a access point/switch . which try putting them at opposite sides of the house to get the most signal connection

Do I need to keep them on different channels?

wireless bridge

Thanks for the link T.