To combine two separate networks into a single unified network on a Huawei EG8145V5 router, you must configure the secondary device as a switch or access point rather than a standalone router. This process involves disabling the DHCP server on the second unit and connecting it via its LAN ports to the primary router’s LAN port. By bypassing the routing layer, all devices receive IP addresses from the main gateway, effectively merging the subnets into one flat local area network.
Understanding Network Bridging vs. Routing
When you have two routers in your home, they typically create two distinct networks. The first router manages its own subnet (for example, 192.168.1.x), and the second router creates a different subnet (such as 192.168.0.x). Devices connected to the first router cannot easily communicate with devices on the second because the routers block traffic between these different subnets for security reasons. To fix this, we need to bridge the networks so that all devices appear to be plugged into the same physical switch. This approach is fundamentally different from using a router as a simple Wi-Fi extender in repeater mode. While repeater modes exist, they often halve the bandwidth and can introduce latency issues. A wired bridge provides a stable, high-speed connection where every device, whether connected via Ethernet or Wi-Fi to either unit, resides on the same logical network segment. This allows for seamless file sharing, printer access, and media streaming across all devices without complex firewall rules. For more details on setting up file sharing between multiple routers, see Setting Up Local Network File Sharing with Two Routers as a Wi-Fi Extender.Preparation and Safety Checks
Before making any changes, ensure you have physical access to both routers. You will need an Ethernet cable long enough to connect the primary router to the location of the secondary Huawei EG8145V5. It is critical to identify which router is acting as the "Main Router" (connected directly to your modem or ISP line) and which is the "Secondary Router." The Main Router handles internet access and assigns IP addresses. The Secondary Router will only handle local distribution of that signal. Do not attempt to change settings while both routers are powered on and connected to each other unless you are following the specific bridging steps. Changing the IP address of the secondary router while it is still routing can disconnect you from its management interface. It is best practice to perform initial configuration on the secondary router while it is disconnected from the main network.Configuring the Secondary Huawei EG8145V5
The core of this operation is to stop the secondary router from trying to manage the network. We must disable its DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server and assign it a static IP address that does not conflict with the main router. First, connect your computer directly to the secondary Huawei EG8145V5 using an Ethernet cable. Do not connect it to the main router yet. Log in to the web interface. If you do not know the default login credentials, check the label on the bottom of the device. Common defaults for Huawei ONT/ONT-like devices includeadmin for both username and password, or sometimes just admin for the username with a random password printed on the sticker.
Once logged in, navigate to the network settings. Look for a section labeled "LAN" or "Local Area Network." Here, you will find the current IP address of the secondary router, such as 192.168.100.1 or 192.168.1.1. You must change this IP address to one that is within the main router's subnet but outside its DHCP pool. For example, if your main router uses 192.168.1.1, set the secondary router to 192.168.1.2. This ensures you can still reach the secondary router's admin page later, but it prevents IP conflicts. Save the settings. The router may reboot or disconnect you from the management interface. If it reboots, reconnect using the new IP address (192.168.1.2).
Next, locate the DHCP Server settings, usually found under "Network" or "LAN" settings. Disable the DHCP server entirely. This is the most important step. If this remains enabled, the secondary router will try to hand out IP addresses, creating a duplicate subnet and breaking the bridge. Confirm that the DHCP service is turned off.
Physical Connection and Final Verification
With the secondary router configured, power it down. Take an Ethernet cable and plug one end into a LAN port on the primary router. Plug the other end into a LAN port on the secondary Huawei EG8145V5. Crucially, do not use the WAN or Internet port on the secondary router. Using the WAN port would maintain the separation of networks, defeating the purpose of this guide. All connections must be made through the LAN ports on both ends. Power on the secondary router. Wait for it to fully boot. Connect a device, such as a laptop or smartphone, to the secondary router via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Check the IP address assigned to your device. It should now show an IP address from the main router's range (e.g.,192.168.1.x) rather than a range from the secondary router. Additionally, try pinging a device connected to the main router. If the ping succeeds, the networks are successfully combined.
If you encounter issues accessing the secondary router's admin panel, remember that you must use the static IP you assigned earlier (e.g., 192.168.1.2) and ensure your computer is on the same network. For advanced users needing remote access to this merged network, consider exploring solutions like Enabling Home Network Access with WireGuard and FRITZ!Box using DynDNS, though the underlying network structure remains the same.