How to Set Up an Edimax Router Behind Another Router

Placing an Edimax router behind an existing modem-router can extend coverage, add Ethernet ports, or create a separate home network. The arrangement is common when an internet provider supplies a gateway device and you want to use your own Edimax hardware for stronger Wi-Fi, parental controls, guest access, or improved wireless management. When both devices perform routing, the result is called double NAT.

Double NAT is not automatically a fault. Everyday browsing, streaming and most smart-home equipment will usually work normally. Problems are more likely with online gaming, remote access, VPN connections, port forwarding, CCTV viewing and devices that need to discover one another across the network. A careful setup begins with deciding which router should manage the network, then assigning addresses and connecting the cables correctly.

Why Double NAT Happens

NAT, or Network Address Translation, allows several devices in a private home network to share one public internet address. In a standard setup, your internet service provider’s gateway performs NAT once. If an Edimax router is connected to that gateway through its WAN or Internet port and remains in router mode, the Edimax performs NAT a second time.

A typical Australian NBN arrangement illustrates the layout. The NBN connection may terminate at an NBN box, while a Telstra, Optus, TPG or Aussie Broadband modem-router supplies the household network. Connecting an Edimax router to that device creates two private networks. For example, the first router may use 192.168.1.x, while the Edimax uses 192.168.2.x.

The two networks can access the internet through each other, but traffic initiated from the second network may be blocked at the first router. A game console on the Edimax network might report a strict NAT type, and a server connected to the Edimax may require port forwarding on both devices. Some Australian providers also use carrier-grade NAT on certain services, which can add another restriction because the public IPv4 address is shared before it reaches your home.

Choose The Right Network Design

The simplest option is to use the Edimax as an access point rather than a second router. In access-point mode, the upstream gateway continues handling NAT, DHCP and firewall duties, while the Edimax supplies Wi-Fi and wired connectivity. This avoids double NAT and usually gives phones, televisions, printers and computers one shared local network.

Use access-point mode when the provider’s router already offers reliable routing, when you need broad Wi-Fi coverage, or when devices must communicate easily. It is also a sensible choice for many apartments in Sydney or Melbourne where the NBN gateway is installed near the entry point and an Ethernet cable runs to another room. The Edimax can then improve coverage without creating a separate subnet.

Router mode is useful when you specifically want network separation. You may want a private network for work devices, a different set of firewall rules, or a dedicated wireless network for tenants or guests. In that case, the Edimax WAN port connects to a LAN port on the first router, and the Edimax creates its own address range. Accept that some inbound services will need extra configuration.

A third design is to place the Edimax in the first router’s DMZ, or to enable bridge or IP passthrough mode on the provider gateway. This can reduce routing complications while keeping the Edimax as the main router. The exact feature name varies between brands, and bridge mode may remove the gateway’s Wi-Fi, voice service or IPTV functions, so check the provider’s instructions before changing it.

Prepare The Edimax And Existing Gateway

Before changing settings, record the first router’s LAN address, subnet and DHCP range. These details are often visible under Network, LAN, Local Network or DHCP settings. If the gateway is 192.168.1.1 with a DHCP pool from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, the Edimax should not use an overlapping address on its upstream side.

Connect a computer to the Edimax with an Ethernet cable if possible. Wired setup is more dependable because changing wireless settings can disconnect the device during configuration. Open a browser and try the address printed in the Edimax manual. Common options include 192.168.2.1 and edimax.setup, although the address differs by model and operating mode. If the setup page does not load, check the computer’s network details or use the Edimax discovery utility where supplied.

The default administrator credentials may be printed on a label or in the quick installation guide. Change the administrator password immediately after logging in. A router bought through the Australian retail market, such as from JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks or an online electronics retailer, may have firmware that differs from an imported model, so use the model-specific Edimax support page for firmware and menu names.

Write down the existing Wi-Fi name and password before making changes. If you plan to replace the first router’s wireless service, decide whether both radios should use the same SSID and security key. Matching them can make roaming easier, but it does not guarantee that a phone will move to the strongest access point at the right time.

Configure Router Mode With Separate Networks

Choose router, gateway or wireless-router mode in the Edimax setup wizard. Connect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the existing gateway to the Edimax WAN or Internet port. Do not initially connect the cable to an Edimax LAN port, because that bypasses its routing function and can make the setup appear to work differently from the intended design.

For the Edimax internet or WAN connection, select automatic IP or DHCP unless the upstream device requires a fixed address. The Edimax will receive an address such as 192.168.1.20 from the first router. On the Edimax LAN side, select a different subnet, such as 192.168.2.1 with DHCP enabled. The Edimax then gives connected devices addresses such as 192.168.2.101 and sends their internet traffic through its WAN address.

Set the Edimax wireless name, security mode and password. WPA2-Personal with AES remains a practical compatibility choice for older printers and smart appliances, while WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode may suit newer equipment. Avoid using WEP or an open network. Australian homes often contain a mixture of newer NBN-connected devices and older 2.4 GHz-only equipment, so test compatibility before disabling 2.4 GHz.

If a fixed WAN address is required, reserve an address on the first router outside its automatic DHCP range, then enter the matching gateway and DNS values in the Edimax. For example, the Edimax WAN could be 192.168.1.10, the upstream gateway 192.168.1.1 and the Edimax LAN 192.168.2.1. Never assign the same address to both routers.

Handle Port Forwarding And Device Access

In double NAT, inbound traffic passes through two firewalls. A port forwarding rule on the Edimax alone will not normally expose a device to the internet. Create a rule on the first router that forwards the required port to the Edimax WAN address, then create a second rule on the Edimax that forwards it to the internal device.

Use DHCP reservations so the Edimax WAN address and the destination device keep the same addresses. Without reservations, a reboot can change an address and silently break forwarding. If the first gateway supports DMZ host settings, assigning the Edimax WAN address to the DMZ can pass unsolicited traffic to it, although the Edimax firewall must still be configured securely. Avoid placing ordinary computers or cameras directly in a DMZ.

Some services work better through UPnP, but automatic port opening has security and predictability drawbacks. If you enable it, restrict the feature to the router that needs it and review its mappings regularly. For remote cameras, NAS systems and home servers, prefer a secure VPN or vendor-supported relay service where possible.

Local device discovery may also be affected. A printer on 192.168.1.x may not appear automatically to a laptop on 192.168.2.x because broadcast traffic does not normally cross the Edimax router. Connecting both devices to the same network, using access-point mode, or configuring suitable static routes can resolve this. Casting and some smart-home platforms may need the same treatment.

Verify The Connection And Wireless Behaviour

After saving the Edimax settings, restart it and check its status page. The WAN page should show an address supplied by the first router, while the LAN page should show the Edimax subnet. A device connected to the Edimax should receive an address from that second subnet and should list the Edimax as its default gateway.

Test a wired computer first, then test Wi-Fi near the Edimax. Confirm that websites load, Australian streaming services play normally and DNS resolution works. Walk through the home with a phone to identify weak areas, especially in brick homes or houses with foil-backed insulation. In a large property outside Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide, an Ethernet-connected access point may provide more consistent coverage than increasing transmit power.

Run a speed test at several times rather than relying on one result. Congestion can occur during evening usage, and the result may be influenced by Wi-Fi interference, the NBN service tier or the upstream router. Test 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz separately if the Edimax provides both bands. The 2.4 GHz band travels farther but is more crowded, while 5 GHz generally offers higher speeds at shorter range.

Check the tasks that matter to your household. Confirm that printers are reachable, consoles report an acceptable NAT type, work VPNs connect and smart speakers can control other devices. If a feature fails, identify which subnet contains the device before changing settings. This prevents random port-forwarding changes and makes it easier to locate the blocked path.

Practical Setup Recommendations

Use the following practices to make the arrangement stable and easier to troubleshoot:

Choose Edimax access-point mode when you want stronger Wi-Fi without a second private network.
Use separate LAN subnets in router mode, such as 192.168.1.x for the gateway and 192.168.2.x for the Edimax.
Connect gateway LAN to Edimax WAN for double NAT, or gateway LAN to Edimax LAN when using access-point mode.
Reserve the Edimax WAN address on the first router before creating port-forwarding rules.
Update Edimax firmware, replace default passwords and use WPA2 or WPA3 wireless security.
Check whether your Australian ISP uses carrier-grade NAT before troubleshooting remote access or incoming connections.

The most reliable arrangement for ordinary homes is often a single routing device with the Edimax acting as an access point. Router mode remains appropriate when network isolation, independent firewall controls or a separate address range are required. Keep a written record of each device’s IP address, operating mode, Wi-Fi settings and cable connection so a future reset does not turn into guesswork.

Double NAT is a design choice rather than an automatic failure. The key is knowing which router owns DHCP and NAT, keeping the two private networks separate when both routers are routing, and matching the configuration to the services you use. Remember: gateway LAN to Edimax WAN creates a routed second network, while gateway LAN to Edimax LAN with access-point mode keeps the home on one network.