.jpg)
6 Innovative And Useful Ways To Reuse Your Old Router
Many people throw
away old routers, but they can still be useful. There are smart new ways to use
them, so don't throw them away. You can make the Wi-Fi area bigger or better or
store things on it. You can still do important things with a new computer, whether
using it for personal or business reasons or to learn.
Build A Wireless Repeater
This device helps
Wi-Fi work in more rooms of a house. Recalibration is something that many
routers already have built-in. It is possible to connect an old router to the
main Wi-Fi network. This setting boosts the signal in places where it's weak.
Wi-Fi that repeats is useful for large homes or outside areas.
Some routers slow
down signals when they are used as repeaters. The old router needs to be put
somewhere to join the new network. This doesn't make the internet faster; it
expands the network's reach. The router's instructions include clear steps on
how to set it up. The software on some routers needs to be changed so that they
can use resend mode.
This usually means
turning off DHCP and changing the router's IP address. You can also use
third-party tools to make more changes. A booster helps eliminate "dead
zones" or places where the internet isn't strong. This is a simple and
low-cost way to improve your home Wi-Fi.
Create A Guest Wi-fi Network
With a friend Wi-Fi
network, your guests' devices won't be able to connect to your main ones. You
can use an old router to make one. This way, people are kept away from personal
files, which makes things safer. Some routers come with a guest network option.
You need to connect the old router to your main network.
Private information
can be used on the Internet without other people being able to see it. If you
don't set up a router, a guest network doesn't need one. You can also change
the speed of links so they don't go too slowly. An old router is simple to set
up for a guest network. You need to stop using shared devices and change the
SSID.
Some routers let you
set times when Wi-Fi will not work. A guest network prevents people who aren't
supposed to be there from accessing smart home devices. After setting this up,
you'll have more control over who gets your internet.
Stream Internet Radio
If you have the right
software, you can use an old computer to watch internet radio. Running certain
software on some routers lets you add extra features. A USB sound card is
needed to play songs. Streaming links make it possible for many online radio
shows to work. If you set up your computer correctly, it can stream music to
speakers. This setup works well for home theater systems.
You need to find a
router that works with it to get new software. There is a lot of changed
software that lets you see better. With this setting, you can enjoy music
without a computer or phone. Receiving internet radios through a router takes
less power than a laptop. This option works well at home, coffee shops, and
small companies.
Turn Your Old Router Into A Wireless Bridge
A wireless bridge
lets devices that are already linked connect to a Wi-Fi network. Many ISPs give
out switches that don't have Ethernet ports, so things that aren't Wi-Fi can
connect through a wireless bridge. This setup works well for old computers or printers.
You need to set the router to bridge mode; for some routers, you need software
from a different source to make this work.
If you have a
wireless bridge, you can add more things to the internet without running more
lines. The home network is more open now that it's set up this way. Dead zones
are gone when there is a bridge in the right place. Some routers have dual-band
links that make them work better. A wireless bridge makes it safe for important
devices to connect to the internet through lines.
Convert Your Router Into A Nas Drive
You can store things
on a NAS drive and share them over a network. Some routers have USB ports that
let external drives join. Custom software can have tools for sharing files
added to it. A NAS drive enables you to keep all your files in one place. With
this setup, you can watch movies or make copies of your files.
The computer needs to
be set up to see things on another computer. Some routers already have FTP or
SMB set up when you buy them. A NAS drive lets more than one device see the
same files more than once. This choice helps you keep information in order at
home or in a small office. A NAS drive lets you store things in the cloud for
less money.
Use An Old Router As A Web Server
Small websites only
shown in your area are saved on a web server. Some routers let you run simple
server software. One old computer can be used to look at the web. With a home
web server, you can share private files. Some routers let you use PHP and MySQL
to make pages that can be changed.
Having your web
server can help you learn how to make websites. You need to change the software
to use this feature. You can store things in a small room built into some
routers. A web server on a router can run your site cheaply. This setup is
great for both personal projects and work tests.
Conclusion
There are many things
you can do with an old router. You save money and lessen waste when you use a
router more than once. An old router can be used in a new way to improve your
home WiFi. It helps other people when you give or sell a router. You can learn
more about technology by getting used to new router features. If you set up
your computer properly, you can use the internet better. Old routers should be
recycled.