Useful Ways to Reuse an Old Router (Don’t Throw It Away!)
In today’s digital age, an internet connection has become an essential part of our lives. The router is the device that enables a seamless and speedy internet connection at home. However, it can be frustrating to have an old router taking up space in your house. Throwing it away might seem like the logical solution, but before you do, it’s essential to know that an old router still holds value. In this article, I will share some useful ways to reuse an old router instead of disposing of it.
- Use It as a Wi-Fi Extender
If you have a big house or if you live in a place with thick walls, you might have difficulty getting a strong Wi-Fi signal in every room. Instead of investing in a new Wi-Fi extender, you can use your old router as an extender. To do this, you will need to connect your old router to your current router using a LAN cable. Once connected, configure your old router to act as an extender, and voila! You have successfully extended your Wi-Fi range.
- Create a Guest Wi-Fi Network
Another way to make use of your old router is by setting up a guest Wi-Fi network. This is a great option when you have visitors at your home, and you don’t want to share your primary Wi-Fi network password. With an old router, you can create a separate network for your guests without worrying about them having access to your primary network. This way, your guests can enjoy access to the internet while protecting your privacy.
- Create a Home Network Storage
If you have a spare hard drive, you can utilize your old router to create a home storage network. Connect your old router to the external hard drive and configure a personal cloud setup. This way, you can store your files on the external hard drive and access them from any device connected to your Wi-Fi network. This is a great way of making use of your old router while getting more storage space.
- Use It as a Security Camera Hub
If you plan on adding security cameras to your home, an old router can be used as a hub for these cameras. An old router makes it possible to have a dedicated Wi-Fi network for your security cameras that won’t disrupt your primary Wi-Fi network. Plus, you will not have to pay a monthly fee for cloud storage.
- Set Up a VPN Connection
Protecting your online privacy and anonymity has become crucial in today’s digital world. Using an old router, you can create a VPN connection to secure your online activities. Even better, you can use your old router to install DD-WRT open-source firmware and enable advanced VPN features.
