Reusing existing ISP router and spare router

getk

hi
folks, i'm trying to develop an ipSense based house project. I'm trying NOT to spend any extra money as i'm trying to re-use existing things. Here is my diagram which i'm trying to achieve

The components i'm reusing are

ISP provided router. I need that to be connected to Internet
from LAN port of ISP_router to connect to Linux machine (old one with two NIC, but quite powerful) which have pfSense installed
Connect it to another router (quite new, but existing one) let's say OLD_router. I'm trying it to make it as an access point, but the hardware is a router.

I've tried different combination of installation, but I'm trying to ensure entire home/family uses the OLD_router wireless/AP and not the ISP_router. I'm not able to get internet connection from pfSense server, even without the OLD_router/AP

I've tried few setup like static IP for pfSense_server, DHCP only disabled in OLD_router etc., but all in vain

Any examples of this kind of setup?

NogBadTheBad

See if you can change the ISP Provided Router to operate in modem mode, otherwise you'll have a double NAT.

Disable DHCP on the router marked as Old Router, give the LAN interface a fixed IP address and connect everything to the LAN ports.

JeGr

@getk said in Reusing existing ISP router and spare router:

Connect it to another router (quite new, but existing one) let's say OLD_router

Why do you want to leave the old router in place and add a third router into the mix? Looks to me it only does WiFi so why not "degrading" it to Access Point only mode (if that is possible) or just connect it as AP and let pfSense do its job with internal services like DNS, DHCP etc.

getk

@NogBadTheBad
I don't have much control on the ISP_router. But will try to find a way to operator in modem mode
if I disable DHCP in OLD_router, you are proposing making OLD_router like an access point?

getk

@JeGr thanks mate. I agree I'm trying to find a way to make the OLD_router as an access point. But the OLD_router is a locked software. But yes, ultimately i'm trying to make it just an AP.

The trouble i'm finding is between the ISP_router && pfSense Server. if I take connection from pfSense to my laptop (wired), it still not able to connect

NogBadTheBad

@getk said in Reusing existing ISP router and spare router:

on't have much control on the ISP_router. But will try to find a way to operator in modem mode
if I disable DHCP in OLD_router, you are proposing making OLD_router like an access point?

Yes and a switch for the ethernet devices.

getk

@NogBadTheBad
Cheers. I will try with the advises and will let you know. cheers

johnpoz

Yeah "any" wifi router can be just used as AP/Switch by turning off its dhcp server and connecting to your network via one of its lan ports.. Some allow for bridging the wan port into the switch/ap bridge in AP mode... Others do not..

Be yeah any soho wifi router can be just AP and switch ports. Good idea to give it an IP for its lan that your going to be connecting it to so easier to manage your wifi settings..

Keep in mind that many native firmware for these devices don't even allow for setting a gateway on the lan interface - so you have to manage them from the network they are connected to. Unless you can put 3rd party firmware on them which allows gateway - like say dd-wrt.