Set up two distinct networks using two routers. Connect them appropriately to separate the networks.
Set up two distinct networks using two routers. Connect them appropriately to separate the networks.
The quickest option I can think of is to separate the 2.4GHz, and the 5Ghz bands on your main router. With different SSIDs and different Passwords. Okay, the networks aren't equal in terms of range, signal strength or bandwidth, but it's an easy option. I'm going to hazard a guess though that the reason you want to be able to shut down the main router is to be able to stop people using the internet and give yourself priority essentially? You think their usage is hurting your connection's quality and you want to be able to give yourself the best quality? Well the option above would work if you were to say think of the 2.4 band as everyone else's, and the 5 band as yours. Then you could shut off the 2.4 when you need/want. Assuming the settings allow of course. There are also settings on most routers like quality of service and such you could explore that can help ensure everyone gets a consistent experience. I've found those hugely unhelpful though. Being brutal that 12Mbps isn't going to go very far (I assume you do mean Megabits per second, not MegaBYTES per second). I'd say that 12Mbps isn't really enough for more than two people. I'm not 100% on if it works this way, but if you have two people watching a streaming TV service (Disney+ and Netflix) they'll both be using around 5Mbps of your download speed. That leaves 2Mbps left over. It's maybe enough to browse, nothing more. You say you've got loads of people on a 12Mbps line? Sorry I don't see how it could support loads of people. [Though I'm not 100% on if this is how the bandwidth/speed thing works but I have assumed so for a while]. So, if I'm right then if you do have loads of people using the first router, I don't think there's anything you could do to improve that situation beyond a higher plan.
When the modem operates in bridge mode, a single PUBLIC IP address is assigned. This address comes from DHCP provided by the WAN port of either router. If NAT is enabled and all IPs are private, both routers must obtain an IP for their WAN ports. The issue here is double-NAT, which causes problems.