Many people are content with their existing network configuration and do not want to overhaul their entire network by getting a new router. However, when using a FlashRouter with DD-WRT already installed, you can take advantage of many upgraded features, without changing any of your existing configurations.

Obviously, a dual router setup will add 4 more Ethernet ports to your network, and depending on the router, these four new ports may also provide significant speed boosts if they are Gigabit (10/100/1000Mbps) ports over the old standard Ethernet (10/100Mbps).

Additionally, adding a second router can provide your network with entirely new features and setup options…

1. Run two different connections simultaneously.

One for your local ISP and to your VPN provider; creating multiple connection gateways.

Benefits of a FlashRouter Dual Router Setup

Let’s say you are planning on setting up multiple networks in your home, perhaps for the purpose of starting a small home-based business, which requires additional network security. By segregating your network activity across two separate routers, your home-based business network can remain isolated from the regular network activity of your household.

One of the greatest features that come with running multiple networks in this dual router setup is the ability to connect to a VPN client within your FlashRouter, creating an entirely encrypted network connection and other benefits of a VPN.  Your existing router and network can then be utilized for public use and access.

Depending on which of the two networks you would like to access, you simply enter the appropriate information into your network settings on any Internet-enabled device. Every FlashRouter comes with a setup guide explaining this very simple process.

Some customer favorites for the dual router setup include:

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2. Wireless Repeater/Extender

If your primary router is not up to the task of transmitting a strong enough wireless signal to cover your entire home, a secondary router can act as a wireless repeater, duplicating and extending your wireless network. For a basic repeater, we recommend DD-WRT devices such as:

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By creating a secondary Access Point (AP) on your network in closer proximity to parts of your home with a weak signal, you can greatly improve wireless networking capabilities. Browser-based DD-WRT  firmware settings make this process quite simple.

3. Guest Network

Do you trust everyone that may try and gain access to your wireless home network? If not, then creating a separate gateway can be a smart solution for giving guests Internet access while locking them out from your most sensitive and private data. Check out our post on how to set up a WiFi Guest Network in DD-WRT.

4. USB

The Backside of a Netgear WNR3500L with full port schematic map

  1. Many router models have built-in USB support. By adding a DD-WRT router with a USB port to your existing network you will have a publicly accessible NAS (Network Attached Storage) to back up your data or make a shared folder with media files to be accessed by the different computers in your network without wasting storage space.
  2. Use the networked router USB port to share a 3G/4G USB device with your entire home.
  3. Additionally, a USB port can often provide a printer in your home with a direct connection to your entire network- saving you money by only needing to maintain one printer for your entire home.

If you are looking for the benefits of DD-WRT without making large changes to your existing network, then you should know that when a FlashRouter is ordered as a secondary router, we configure it specifically to work with YOUR existing network. Part of our mission is to limit your network setup time as much as possible and so with our process of pre-configuring each router, we can meet the specific demands of each customer’s network needs.

Updated: 12/10/2015