[GTALUG] of routers and access points

[D. Hugh Redelmeier]

| From: Don Tai via talk <talk at gtalug.org>

I'm confused about the network topology you are describing.

| Why don't you let the router do all the router work, such as Wifi, routing,
| DHCP, DNS, etc?

Which router is "the" router?  Bell's modem/router or your (non-Bell) 
router?

| I have my router RJ45'd to my Bell router, and let it do
| all that.

Which router is "it"?

| The Bell router's wifi is rarely used, but is a backup. Connect
| all your boxes RJ45 to your router if you wish, then they can all play well
| together, no? Is this too simple a setup?

==== Context ====

Almost all homes need NAT for IPv4, an abomination.  So all home
routers do NAT by default.  The Bell Router will do the whole job
(NAT, DHCP, WiFi).

For a variety of reasons, some of us want to use out own routers.
In most cases it makes sense to set the ISP's modem/router to just act
as a modem -- bridge mode.

==== End of context ====

If you put your Bell modem/router in bridge mode, how can the WiFi on
Bell's modem/router be useful?  Only your own router should be
connected to the Bell modem.

If you actually use the Bell router functions, what do you use your
own router for?

- an AP + a switch?

- double-NATting (seems like a bad idea)?