Wired · Engadget
Old routers can easily be repurposed to have use even as a secondary or tertiary device
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If your new Wi-Fi router struggles to reach corners of your home, consider using your old router as a dedicated access point.
Key facts
- A good option is configuring the old router to broadcast on the 2.4GHz band, while disabling that frequency on the newer router
- On their older TP-Link router, this feature is hidden within several sub-menus under the WDS bridging label
- Many of the suggestions above are also easier to set up on custom router firmware like DD-WRT or FreshTomato
- Many routers offer Access Point or Switch modes in their administrative settings, which you'll have to enable by accessing the router's admin panel
Summary
Your old router has a lot of potential on your network, so give it a new job. Unlike many devices in your home, you probably don't think much about upgrading your router. Thankfully, this doesn't need to be an issue. There are two approaches you can take: wired or wireless.