Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 21:38 Post subject: TPLINK WA901ND V2 as a hotspot repeater
Hi - After using my Linksys router with DD-WRT as a mobile phone hotspot repeater / dhcp server for some years, I jumped at the chance of a TP-Link TL-WA901ND V2, thinking the higher wlan speed would improve household wifi performance.
After following a guide to get DD-WRT loaded, I eventually loaded it with a recent firmware from the downloads site (Version 12-15-2023-r54517)
It doesn't have repeater mode and despite my best efforts to find a way around it, I reverted to stock. Stock doesn't support my intentions either.
In the first instance, does anyone know if it possible to configure the TP-Link TL-WA901ND V2 to act a repeater for a hotspot? There's a few threads that suggest its possible but nothing definitive.
also your ap security on main router you hook with wifi with wa901 must be same seted on wa901
that is it
Many thanks for the replies. I tried the guide HOWTO: REPEATER MODE in atheros and the posts it referenced and was unsuccessful. The TL-WA901ND V2 either did not have internet access. There were some terms used that did not apply (e.g. RIP2 Router) and there was no option for automatic DHCP. Some of the replies on the threads describe the same issues that I experienced and the guides are not explicitly using a TL-WA901ND V2
I will try again but after spending a day on it earlier in the week following the guides, I fear that I will spend a day on it again and get no further.
I guess another way of posing my question is 'has anyone on the forum successfully configured a TP-Link TL-WA901ND V2 as a mobile hotspot repeater with DHCP functionality'.
Thanks egc. That guide is clear, albeit a different approach to the others. As I have the unit, I'll try it. Will the ethernet port be available as I want to connect a 4-port hub for wired access for a couple of devices?
Joined: 18 Mar 2014 Posts: 12923 Location: Netherlands
Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 9:53 Post subject:
Sure, Client (Station) mode is easier and sets the router and all clients on its own subnet, when connecting to a hotspot (your phone or otherwise) this is the way to go.
Sure, Client (Station) mode is easier and sets the router and all clients on its own subnet, when connecting to a hotspot (your phone or otherwise) this is the way to go.
Bridged modes are when you are connecting to your own router and want to have one seamless subnet.
Bridge modes (To download right click and choose Save As) are a hack and are sometimes problematic.
Hi - I've followed the guide and still no luck. I've tried disabling security on the hotspot and matching that on the TP-Link in case it is an encryption mismatch but no internet.
I've attached some screenshots off the TP Link. These mirror the guide as far as I know.
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14249 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 20:40 Post subject:
This device has a single radio and single ethernet port. Default configuration is ethernet port bridged to wireless, WAN disabled, if I recall correctly. Your WAN mode has to be changed to DHCP to use Station. Also, to note: Some options may not work as expected. This may have been fixed, so unless you are on the current release (now 54545), then this won't be productive to resolve any issues.
This device has a single radio and single ethernet port. Default configuration is ethernet port bridged to wireless, WAN disabled, if I recall correctly. Your WAN mode has to be changed to DHCP to use Station. Also, to note: Some options may not work as expected. This may have been fixed, so unless you are on the current release (now 54545), then this won't be productive to resolve any issues.
Thanks - with your advice, crucially with respect to DHCP and the following guide, I was able to get it working in 5 minutes. I also upgraded from 54517 but can't be sure if this made any difference as 54517 is recent.
In case the URL disappears (as they do over time) and anyone else is tearing there hair out with one of these units, here's what it says:
DD-WRT does not support repeater mode for Atheros chipset based routers. Hence you will not find Repeater and Repeater Bridge options under Wireless Settings. You can still however achieve similar result with Client mode connection. It won’t be as seamless as it would be in Repeater mode though, you would be connecting to a different network in this case. First, you will be creating a wireless link between the remote AP and the DD-WRT router on the physical interface so that the DD-WRT router can join the remote AP’s network as a client. Then you will configure a virtual Access Point on the DD-WRT router. This will allow wireless devices to connect to the DD-WRT router’s wireless, which in turn is connected to the host AP.
In the Basic setup tab set connection type as Automatic Configuration — DHCP. Router name should be the same as your remote router. Make sure the subnet is different to the remote router subnet. For example if your main network is 192.168.1.1 set it to 192.168.3.1. Save it.
In the Wireless →Basic Settings tab set wireless mode to client, and match the setting to the remote router configurations(wireless network, SSID and channel width). In the same tab add virtual interface with a different SSID and Wireless Mode as AP. Save it.
In the Wireless Security tab edit physical interface to match the remote router. The virtual interface Shared key could be anything and doesn’t need to match the primary router. Don’t forget to save setting each time before moving to the next tab.
In the Status → Wireless tab click on Site Survey and join your main network. Apply setting, the router should restart.
Connect to your new network → profit!
Thanks for everyone's help. If there are any other tips on fine tuning the configuration, I'd be grateful.
