How to Use an Old Router: Upcycling Ideas
How to Use an Old Router: Upcycling Ideas
Old routers often end up in the landfill, although they can be useful for a variety of purposes. Instead of throwing away your old router, you can find a new use for it by upgrading your network or creating new, convenient features for your home. In this article, we will look at some upcycling ideas for old routers.
- Create an additional Wi-Fi access point
One of the most common ways to use an old router is to turn it into an additional Wi-Fi access point. This is especially useful in larger homes or offices where the main signal may be weak in certain areas.
How to do it:
Connect the old router to the main router using an Ethernet cable.
Disable the DHCP server on the old router (in the network settings). This is necessary to avoid IP address conflicts.
Set the SSID and password on the old router to be the same as the main router so that devices can automatically switch between networks without having to reconnect.
Place the old router in the right place so that it can extend the Wi-Fi coverage area.
Benefits:
Increase the range of Wi-Fi.
Stable connection without the need for repeaters.
- Use as a signal repeater
If you need to increase the range of Wi-Fi in a certain part of the room, the old router can be used as a signal repeater.
How to do it:
Enable repeater mode on the old router (if such a function is provided). In most modern models, this mode can be activated through the web interface.
Connect the old router to the main network via a wireless connection.
Place the device in an area where the signal from the main router is still strong enough, but is already starting to weaken.
Benefits:
Easy to set up and use.
Ability to improve the signal in remote parts of the room.
- Create a Guest Network
If you have guests who need to connect to the Internet temporarily, you can use your old router to create a separate guest network.
How to do it:
Connect the old router to the main router via an Ethernet cable.
Configure a separate network with a different SSID and password.
Disable the DHCP server on the old router so that it only works as an access point.
Advantages:
Separates traffic between main devices and guests.
Increases security by isolating guest devices.
- Use as a bridge for wired devices
Some devices, such as gaming consoles, media players, or printers, may not have built-in Wi-Fi support. In this case, you can use the old router as a bridge to connect these devices via a wire.
How to do it:
Connect the old router to the main router via an Ethernet cable.
Disable the DHCP server on the old router.
Connect wired devices to the Ethernet ports on the old router.
Benefits:
Ability to connect wired devices to a wireless network.
Increase the speed and stability of the connection for wired devices.
- Create a network for the Internet of Things (IoT)
You can use the old router to create a separate network for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart lights, thermostats, and security cameras.
How to do it:
Connect the old router to the main router via an Ethernet cable.
Set up a separate network with a different SSID and password.
Disable the DHCP server on the old router if it will only be used as an access point.
Connect the IoT devices to the new network.
Benefits:
Isolate IoT devices from the main network, which improves security.
Easier to manage and monitor IoT devices.
- Use as a server
You can turn your old router into a simple file or media server using specialized software like OpenWRT or DD-WRT.
How to do it:
Install an alternative firmware (such as OpenWRT) on your old router.
Configure the server to store and share files, stream media, or do other things.
Connect storage devices via USB ports (if available).
Advantages:
Save money on buying a separate server.
Possibility of creating a local cloud storage system.
- Use as a security tool
You can use your old router as an additional layer of security for your network by placing it in front of your main router.
How to do it:
Connect your old router to a broadband modem or other internet source.
Configure firewall rules on your old router to filter incoming and outgoing traffic.
Under connect the main router to the old router via an Ethernet cable.
Benefits:
Additional layer of security for your network.
Ability to set up stricter security rules.
Old routers can be very useful for a variety of purposes, even after they have lost their original value as primary networking devices. Using them as additional access points, signal repeaters, servers, or security tools can significantly improve the quality of your home or office network. Remember that, if configured correctly, an old router can become a great tool for solving many everyday tasks and improving your digital environment.