Joined: 24 Feb 2013 Posts: 1634 Location: Belgrade
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 20:19 Post subject: HOWTO: WDS REPEATER in atheros
Goal of this howto is to help new members of this forum to extend their wireless network using WDS.
There are many howtos on this manner.
Some days ago I was setting up my network this way, so I thought why not share it with you.
This is one of the way to repeat your signal. IMHO using Client bridge is just a workaround.
Advantage of WDS is that clients can move seamlessly from one AP to another.
Note: WDS and Client bridge both share a common downfall, that is, for every hop, the effective bandwidth is reduced by half.
prerequisites:
Two atheros chipbased routers.
Both of them must use same 802.11 standard (i.e. 802.11n/802.11n)
Both routers will be in the same subnet 192.168.2.0/24 in my example. First (root) will host internet and will have local IP 192.168.2.5
and the second will have local IP 192.168.2.25
You can change this values according to your needs.
Set DHCP on first router:
Access Point (root router)
AP Basic Wireless config:
In Wireless->Basic Settings:
1. Set Wireless Mode to "WDS AP".
2. Change the SSID to something known, and note it.
3. A static Channel is also recommended, but not required.
Click Apply Settings.
In Wireless->Wireless Security:
1. Set the security to whatever you like.
2. Note the security type and passphrase.
Click Apply Settings.
WDS Station(secon router)
WDS Station Basic Wireless config
This is the harder part:
Connect the computer to the WDS Station, and set a static on the computer to 192.168.2.254.
Log into the WDS Station's interface.
In Setup->Basic Settings:
Under WAN Connection Type, set Connection Type to "Disabled".
Enable STP
Under Network Setup, Router IP:
Change the Local IP Addressto 192.168.2.25 (or something out of range root router DHCP server).
Change the Gateway to 192.168.2.5.
Under Network Setup, Network Address Server Settings (DHCP), change DHCP Server to "Disable".
Click Apply Settings.
In Advanced Routing->Operating Mode:
1. Set the Operating Mode to Router.
2. Under Dynamic Routing choose LAN&WLAN Interface.
Click Apply Settings.
Log in to the new IP address you set for Local IP Address.
Under Wireless->Basic Settings (read carefully):
Under Physical Interface ath0:
Set Wireless Mode to "WDS Station".
Set Wireless Network Name to the SSID used on the AP (this is the SSID that the WDS Station is connecting to as a client).
Under Virtual Interfaces, click Add.
Under Virtual Interfaces, Virtual Interfaces ath0.1 (this is the interface that client computers can connect to):
Set the Wireless Mode to "AP" (or "WDS AP" if you want Multi WDS).
Set the SSID to something DIFFERENT than the previous SSID --IMPORTANT.
Click Apply Settings.
Under Wireless->Wireless Security:
Under Physical Interface ath0, set security settings to match those on the AP.
Under Virtual Interfaces ath0.1, set security settings. The security settings here may be different than previous, but most likely you'll want to set them the same.
Click Apply Settings.
Additionally you can disable SPI Firewall because it is not needed and set QoS to something like this (WAN is disabled so you must shape LAN&WLAN traffic:
Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Posts: 7568 Location: YWG, Canada
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 23:13 Post subject:
note when using wds or client + vap the vap will be locked at ht20 speeds, it is known & there is no fix with no eta..see trac timeline for info _________________ LATEST FIRMWARE(S)
BrainSlayer wrote:
we just do it since we do not like any restrictions enforced by stupid cocaine snorting managers
I have one doubt in this tutorial ,
You have mentioned - "Different SSID" to second router for virtual interface,
This will broadcast different SSID at same place ??
e.g. In my house On 1st Floor I have AP with SSID - HELLO,
So on 2nd floor I can't display same SSID ??
And I need to connect to every router if I place more than 1 routers ??
NO WDS support for connecting DD-WRT MadWIFI <-> DD-WRT ath9k/DD-WRT MadWIFI-N (legacy/old driver)
Only set the ap to "wds ap" and the clients to "wds station". Put all on the same SSID and set your prefered wireless encryption.
NO WDS support for connecting current DD-WRT MadWIFI <-> DD-WRT MadWIFI-N <-> DD-WRT ath9k
Under Basic Setup ---> Network Setup ----> Local IP Address, use an IP in the same subnet as the WDS AP router but outside the WDS AP router's DHCP range.
Disable DHCP server on the WDS STATION.
Important Write down the WDS AP's IP as the gateway and DNS on the WDS STATION.
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 20:28 Post subject: Same SSID
There is no need to configure 2 different SSIDs in the Repeater WDS. The networks can have the same SSID and the same security settings. Doing so will allow your wireless clients to choose which device to connect based on signal strenght.
[]'s _________________ TPlink TL-WDR3600ND as WDS AP
TPlink TL-WR841ND v9 as WDS Station
TPlink TL-WR1043ND v1.8 as WDS Station (with VAP disabled)
I just wanted to mention that bandwidth is halved either way, it does not matter if 1 or 2 SSID are used. As mentioned in the post above, 1 SSID is better because then the client device automatically chooses the strongest signal, no hesitation in switching.
That is because the router has to connect to the main AP, WDS AP, via wireless and therefore the radio can not receive or send information to the client (laptop, cellphone, etc) when it is being sent or received to the main AP.
