Can I add a wireless router in a room for additional ports and stronger WiFi signal?

[TheTexasBoy]

I am trying to solve two issues:

1) I only have one ethernet port in my office and am trying to add additional ports so I can plug in directly to my LAN.

2) The WiFi signal in my office is extremely weak for my cell phone.

I have an extra Lynksys wireless router.  I have tried plugging it into my ethernet port so I can use the 4 ports and the closer WiFi signal.  Once I plug in a computer into the router I can see that it is connected at 100mbps, but I can't access the internet.  Apparently the access to the internet is being blocked by the router somehow.  Am I missing any steps or is this not possible?

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

Which U-verse gateway do you have?

[TheTexasBoy]

It's a 2Wire.  The only thing I see that looks like a model number is i38HG.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

You have a paired bonded install with an iNID.  The i38HG is actually a break-out box and WAP.  The actual gateway is the i3812V (iNID)  which is on the side of your house.  Please see the discussion in the thread below:

http://forums.att.com/t5/Setup-and-Self-Install/Can-I-use-my-own-wireless-router/m-p/2889585

[TheTexasBoy]

I actually read through that thread before I posted my question.  I don't want to replace the break-out box that's in my network closet.  I want to add an additional Linksys router in my office.  The CAT5 port in my office is plugged into one of the ports on that break-out box, which works fine.  But when I plug in the router in that port, even if I only connect 1 computer to the router, I can't access the internet.

[texasguy37 ACE - Champion]

You cannot plug your own router into a port of the i38HG.  If you want to use your own router, it needs to be a replacement for the i38HG and connected to the i3812V (iNID).  

Perhaps the discussion in the thread below might offer some assistance with other options:

http://forums.att.com/t5/Setup-and-Self-Install/Purchase-Additional-2Wire-i38HG-Units/m-p/3191743

[TheTexasBoy]

From looking at how the i38HG is connected I may have to get some help with that one.  I'll jump on the other thread to see the options discussed there can work for me.  Thank you.

[Timelord1957]

You could use a Netgear Wireless repeater.  It has four ports as well as extends your wireless connectivity.  In fact, I use mine as if it is a wireless hub (I use the Ethernet ports for my Blue Ray.).

[TheTexasBoy]

Timelord1957, it looks like that will resolve both of my major issues.  The only thing I won't get is the 100 mbps from connecting directly to my LAN ( I'm guessing that since it's wireless connecting via the Ethernet ports will be a max of 54 mbps right?).