Basically i'm just after some advice.
This is fairly long, so I will greatly appreciate all replies.

my setup:
I have a cable modem plugged into a linksys router which is set to DHCP(1st router).
4 wired connections from the router - xbox360, xbox and a PC. they all work fine.
then the 4th wired connection (LAN out) to a second router (plugged into the WAN port) (2nd router).

The 2nd router is a wireless Dynamode and supports 2 laptops, both connect wirelessly to the internet no problems, this is also on DHCP

Everything (all 5 things) can connect to the internet fine at the same time, never had any problems.

Here's what i want (or advise me otherwise if it's not the best way to go) -
The second router i want static as it will only ever serve the two same laptops and i believe it will make it more secure.

(i presume 1st router assigns 2nd router with one ip with DHCP, then 2nd router assigns 2 laptops with ip's from its own DHCP).

If so, do I:
Assign one static ip in the 1st router for the second router then 2 different static ip's for the laptops in the 2nd router, then into the laptops?
OR
Let DHCP in the 1st router assign one ip, then make static ip's in the 2nd router, then into the laptops?

2 other problems
(Just thought i'd mention these problems in incase my setup has anything to do with them!, if not i may be better starting another thread for them)

1) i cant seem to get the PC from the 1st router on a home network/file sharing with the 2 laptops on the second router. (although other problems here as laptops on XP and PC on Vista, so i'll probs start another post later about LLTD Responder component problems lol)

2) (more importantly) One of the laptops wont connect wirelessly unless using a USB wireless adapter.
One laptop wireless network card is 802.11G and the other is B, but the 2nd router is set for both G and B.

Finally (phew) just a quick question, what IP will the laptops show to the world? their own individual ip or my assigned isp ip?

Many thanks in advance
Greg

The issue is with using the two routers. What you should do is leave your first router (the one connected to your modem/the internet) as is. Then run a cable from one of its ethernet ports to one of the LAN ethernet ports on the second router. Do not use the WAN port on the second router at all. On your second router's set up page, there should be an option to configure the internet connection type (static, PPpOE, etc.) you should set this to "disabled" as in there is no internet connection. Depending on your router there may also be an option to put the router in "router" mode or "gateway" mode. On my linksys WRT54G it is under "Advanced Routing" tab. Set this to "Router". Finally, make sure the DHCP server on the second router is set to disabled. Now, when ever you connect to this second router, the computers will get their IP addresses from the first router, and will appear as if they are plugged directly into the first router. As for setting static IP addresses, you would do this on the main router, if it has the ability.

-Ryan Adams
http://members.cox.net/rtadams89/

cheers for the reply.

Do i need static ip's or are you saying even without those the first router will assign both laptops ip's through the second router?

i didnt think if i used LAN on the second router it would be able to serve 2 laptops simultaniously. ie it stops being a router and just a device. not arguing with you i will give it a go, i just like to understand what i'm changing.

thanks!

You need a crossover cable from switch port to switch port unless your routers support mdi/mdix [doubtful]

you should assign static ips to the routers like .1 for the internet one and .2 for the downstream one. Disable dhcp on the 2nd router [don't need to do anything with the wan config since its not being used] and enable dhcp on the main router. Dhcp scope would not include the .1 or .2.

you are in effect turning the 2nd router into a wireless switch. Yes it will work just fine.

Knowing the correct answer and giving a correct answer, are two different things