Owners of apartments and country houses often face situations where the standard equipment from their provider is insufficient to provide a stable signal throughout the premises. Standard devices provided by the operator often have a limited range, especially if the walls are made of reinforced concrete. In such cases, the only viable solution is to install a wireless network. wireless network expansion by installing a second router.
Integrating a new device into MGTS's existing infrastructure requires careful configuration to avoid addressing conflicts and speed drops. You'll need to choose between operating modes: bridge, access point, or full subnet. Each of these options has its own advantages and use cases, which we'll discuss below.
Before physically connecting the cables, you need to prepare the software. Make sure you have access to the web interface of both your main router and the new device you plan to use as a range extender. Following the correct steps will avoid having to reset the settings and reconfigure your entire home network.
Selecting a connection diagram and preparing equipment
The first step is to determine the physical topology of your future network. There are two main ways to connect devices: wired (Ethernet) and wireless (WDS or repeater). A wired connection ensures maximum throughput and stability, while wireless allows you to place a second router where it is not possible to lay a cable.
If you choose the cable option, you'll need a Category 5e patch cord or higher. The cable length shouldn't exceed 100 meters, otherwise the signal will begin to fade. For a wireless bridge, the distance between devices is critical: they must be within line of sight or located through the same load-bearing wall.
⚠️ Attention: Before making any changes to your network settings, write down your current WAN connection parameters (login, password, and PPPoE or IPoE connection type). This information may be needed to restore internet access if your MGTS default gateway is reset.
Preparing the equipment also includes resetting the secondary router to factory settings. This will eliminate old profiles and any conflicts with the current configuration. On the back of the device, locate the button Reset and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the indicators blink.
Configuring IP addressing to avoid conflicts
The most common error when connecting two routers is an IP address conflict. By default, most devices use the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1If both routers have the same address, the network won't work. You need to change the LAN IP address of the secondary device.
Connect your computer to the second router (without connecting to the main one yet) and log into its web interface. Find the section LAN or Local area network. Change the last digit of the address, for example, to 192.168.1.254, if the main router has an address 192.168.1.1This will create a unique entry point to control the second device.
It's also important to pay attention to the DHCP address range. If you plan to use the second router as an access point, it's best to disable the DHCP server on it so that only the main MGTS gateway is responsible for distributing addresses. This will prevent devices from receiving incorrect gateway settings.
After changing the IP address, the router will require you to log in again. Use the new address to log in. Make sure the subnet mask on both devices is identical; this is usually 255.255.255.0.
Operating mode: Bridge or Access Point
The choice of operating mode depends on your goals. Mode access points Simply extends the network with a wireless signal. All devices will be on the same subnet, able to see each other and shared folders. This is an ideal option for the home.
Bridge mode (WDS) allows you to connect routers without a cable, but it requires both devices to support it and is often unstable in the presence of interference. If your secondary router supports "Access Point" mode in hardware (there's a separate switch or menu option), select it.
In the second router's wireless network settings, set the network name (SSID) and password. You can make the name identical to the main router's to create a unified network, but then devices may be reluctant to switch between access points. It's better to add a prefix, for example, Home_Ext.
☑️ Check settings before connecting
Activating access point mode often requires not only software configuration but also proper physical cable connection. Unlike router mode, where the provider's cable is connected to the WAN port, here the cable from the MGTS main router must be inserted into the port. LAN secondary device (unless the special "Access Point" mode is selected in the menu, which will reassign the ports itself).
Comparison of additional router operating modes
To help you decide on a configuration, we've prepared a comparison table of the main modes. It will help you understand what functionality is available in each case.
| Parameter | Router mode (NAT) | Access Point (AP) mode | Repeater Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP addressing | Different subnets | Single subnet | Single subnet |
| Device visibility | Limited | Full | Full |
| Speed (Wi-Fi) | 100% | 100% (with cable) | Up to 50% |
| Difficulty of setup | Low | Average | High |
As you can see from the table, for most home tasks such as streaming, gaming, and working with a shared printer, the mode access points is the most preferred. It provides the best performance and no issues with smart home compatibility.
Double NAT mode (when both routers act as routers) can cause problems for online games and some torrent clients. In this case, ports forwarded on the main router will not work on devices connected to the second router.
Why does the repeater cut the speed?
In repeater mode, the device first receives the signal, processes it, and then transmits it. Since the radio module operates in half-duplex mode, it cannot simultaneously receive and transmit data on the same frequency, effectively splitting the channel's bandwidth in half.
Physical connection and final check
Once all software settings are complete, you can proceed with the final connection. Take an Ethernet cable and plug one end into any available port. LAN the main MGTS router. Connect the other end to the port WAN the second router, if you selected the "Access Point" mode in the menu, or in the port LAN, if DHCP is disabled manually.
Wait 1-2 minutes for the configuration to load. The WAN indicator on the second device should light up or blink, indicating a link is established. Check the connection on your smartphone or laptop: the device should receive an IP address from the main router and have internet access.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of MGTS equipment (Sercomm, Eltex, ZTE) and third-party routers (TP-Link, Asus, Keenetic) may differ. The layout of menu items may change depending on the firmware version.
Run a speed test at the farthest point of the room. If the speed matches your plan, then the integration was successfulIf you experience packet loss, try changing your wireless channel to a less congested one using a Wi-Fi analyzer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to use an MGTS router as a second router for another provider?
Technically, it's possible, but difficult. MGTS routers often have proprietary firmware and are tied to the operator's equipment. To use it as a second router, you'll need to reflash it to an open-source version (such as OpenWrt), which will void the warranty and could cause malfunction.
Why don't devices see the printer through the second router?
You most likely have double NAT configured (router connected to router). In this case, the devices are on different subnets. Switch the second router to "Access Point" mode and connect the cable to the LAN port to connect the networks.
What cable is needed to connect routers?
You'll need a standard Category 5e or Category 6 Ethernet patch cord. Modern routers automatically detect the cable type (straight-through or crossover), so there's no need to look for a special cable. The length shouldn't exceed 100 meters.
Will my MGTS internet settings be reset when connecting a second router?
No, unless you reset your primary ISP router. A second router only extends the network and doesn't change the Internet connection configuration on the primary device.