When setting up a home or small office network, people often rely on a single all-in-one router that handles everything: routing, firewall, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even VPN services. While convenient, this setup can become a bottleneck in terms of security, performance, and flexibility. Enter the “Three Dumb Routers” approach—a simple yet effective method to optimize network segmentation, reliability, and security without the need for enterprise-level equipment.

What Is the “Three Dumb Routers” Setup?

The “Three Dumb Routers” concept is a practical networking approach where three separate consumer-grade routers (or access points) are used to segment a network into distinct zones. Unlike a single-router setup, this method improves network isolation and management. The three routers typically serve the following roles:

1. Primary Router (Gateway):
   • Connects to the ISP modem and acts as the primary internet gateway.
   • Handles basic firewall functions, NAT, and DHCP for the main network.
2. IoT/Guest Router:
   • Isolates IoT devices, smart home gadgets, or guest devices from the main network.
   • Protects sensitive devices by preventing insecure IoT devices from accessing private resources.
3. Work/VPN Router:
   • Dedicated for work-from-home setups, business-related devices, or VPN traffic.
   • Ensures security and stability for sensitive devices by separating them from less secure parts of the network.

Benefits of Using Three Dumb Routers

1. Improved Security

IoT devices are notorious for weak security, making them easy targets for cyberattacks. By isolating them on a separate router, attackers have a harder time reaching critical systems like personal computers or file servers.

2. Network Segmentation

Different types of devices have different networking needs. By splitting them into separate subnets, each group can operate independently without interfering with the others. For example, streaming devices and security cameras won’t congest the same network used for work or gaming.

3. Better Performance

If a single router is handling all network traffic, performance can degrade due to congestion. With three routers, traffic loads are distributed more efficiently, reducing interference and improving bandwidth availability.

4. Simplified Firewall Rules

Instead of complex VLAN tagging or intricate firewall rules, physical separation via multiple routers simplifies network administration while still offering strong security.

Setting Up Three Dumb Routers

1. Choose the Right Routers: Use basic consumer-grade routers with AP mode, VLAN, or guest network capabilities. Synology, Ubiquiti, or even repurposed OpenWrt devices are good choices.
2. Configure the Primary Router:
   • Set up the WAN connection to the ISP.
   • Configure DHCP and basic firewall settings.
3. Set Up the IoT/Guest Router:
   • Connect it to the primary router’s LAN port.
   • Disable DHCP and set up a static IP outside the main DHCP range.
   • Use a different SSID for IoT devices.
4. Set Up the Work/VPN Router:
   • Connect it to the primary router’s LAN port.
   • Enable VPN (such as WireGuard or OpenVPN) if needed.
   • Ensure work-related devices use this router exclusively.

The “Three Dumb Routers” method is a simple yet powerful way to enhance network security, improve performance, and streamline management. Whether for home or small office use, this approach provides a cost-effective alternative to enterprise-grade network segmentation, offering peace of mind without requiring advanced networking expertise.

Have you tried a multi-router setup before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!