Using 2nd router on home network as "wireless repeater"
Julian
second wireless router I have in the attic (Trendnet TEW-435BRM). My main
wireless router is a Draytek Vigor. What do I need to configure on both
routers?
Julian.
Tony Hwang
Better location of router in the house and/or better higher gain
omni-directional antenna won't do?
Char Jackson
Make no changes to the existing wireless router.
On router 2, disable DHCP.
Connect an Ethernet cable from a LAN port on the existing router to a
LAN port on router 2. In most cases, a standard straight-through cable
will be fine. In rare cases, a crossover cable may be required.
The WAN port on router 2 will not be used.
If you want seamless roaming between the two routers, (technically the
second router is an access point now), then configure router 2 with
the same SSID, same channel, same modulation type (A/B/G/N), same
encryption type and same password as the existing router.
If roaming is not desired, then configure router 2 with unique values,
as desired. Remember that channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only
non-overlapping channels for B/G networks.
Refer to one of the numerous guides on configuring a wireless router
to act as an access point if you get stuck. Here's one example:
<http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-router-as-access-point.html>
Roger 2008
"Char Jackson" <no...@none.invalid> wrote in message
news:vplgv5pspat2i2ujp...@4ax.com...
> >
> If roaming is not desired, then configure router 2 with unique values,
> as desired. Remember that channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only
> non-overlapping channels for B/G networks.
>
> Refer to one of the numerous guides on configuring a wireless router
> to act as an access point if you get stuck. Here's one example:
> <http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-router-as-access-point.html>
The OP was asking about a "wireless repeater" and you gave him instructions
for an access point.
If you have a wireless repeater than there is no need to run a network cable
between the two wireless devices.
I use a Linksys WAP54G as a Wireless Repeater and it states:
Note: When set to "AP Client" and "Wireless Bridge" mode, this device will
only communicate with another Linksys Access Point (WAP54G). When set to
"Wireless Repeater" mode, this device will only communicate with another
Linksys Access Point (WAP54G) and Linksys Wireless-G Router (WRT54G).
The neat part about that setup is I can plug a device into the Linksys
Access Point and then it gets it's internet from the Wireless-G Router.
I don't know how anybody else would setup a Wireless Repeater.
Char Jackson
wrote:
>
>"Char Jackson" <no...@none.invalid> wrote in message
>news:vplgv5pspat2i2ujp...@4ax.com...
>> >
>> If roaming is not desired, then configure router 2 with unique values,
>> as desired. Remember that channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only
>> non-overlapping channels for B/G networks.
>>
>> Refer to one of the numerous guides on configuring a wireless router
>> to act as an access point if you get stuck. Here's one example:
>> <http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-router-as-access-point.html>
>
>The OP was asking about a "wireless repeater" and you gave him instructions
>for an access point.
Oops, I guess you're right. While the Subject indeed mentions a
repeater, the Body does not, and I wrongfully assumed it was common
knowledge that a repeater is a horrible idea in general and should
only be used as a last resort, so I dismissed the repeater in favor of
an additional access point to cover the garden. I shouldn't have done
that since the OP may have valid reasons for wanting a repeater.
>If you have a wireless repeater than there is no need to run a network cable
>between the two wireless devices.
>
>I use a Linksys WAP54G as a Wireless Repeater and it states:
>Note: When set to "AP Client" and "Wireless Bridge" mode, this device will
>only communicate with another Linksys Access Point (WAP54G). When set to
>"Wireless Repeater" mode, this device will only communicate with another
>Linksys Access Point (WAP54G) and Linksys Wireless-G Router (WRT54G).
>
>The neat part about that setup is I can plug a device into the Linksys
>Access Point and then it gets it's internet from the Wireless-G Router.
The setup I described does that, too.
Roger 2008
"Char Jackson" <no...@none.invalid> wrote in message
Oh yeah you are right it does but in my case there is no network cable
running between the Wireless Access Point and the Wireless-G Router.
I wanted to try and setup a bridge instead of a repeater but I would have
needed two Linksys Access Points for that so I setup a repeater instead.
Under normal circumstances the wireless Access Point adds a wireless Access
point to a wired network. I have it setup so the wireless Access Point
gives me wireless access into an existing wireless network. That works
great for devices I have on another floor of the house that aren't wireless
and it extends the range of my wireless network to include the driveway at
the same time.
Char Jackson
wrote:
>
>"Char Jackson" <no...@none.invalid> wrote in message
>news:cvkiv550mjh5drlu7...@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 23 May 2010 02:35:47 -0600, "Roger 2008" <rw...@att.net>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> >The neat part about that setup is I can plug a device into the Linksys
>> >Access Point and then it gets it's internet from the Wireless-G Router.
>>
>> The setup I described does that, too.
>
>Oh yeah you are right it does but in my case there is no network cable
>running between the Wireless Access Point and the Wireless-G Router.
True, and that can be a big benefit. Unfortunately, it comes at a very
high cost of wrecking the wireless throughput.
>I wanted to try and setup a bridge instead of a repeater but I would have
>needed two Linksys Access Points for that so I setup a repeater instead.
Understood. I'm in the same boat, but in my case I only needed wired
access in the distant room, rather than wired/wireless, so a bridge
worked for me.
>Under normal circumstances the wireless Access Point adds a wireless Access
>point to a wired network. I have it setup so the wireless Access Point
>gives me wireless access into an existing wireless network. That works
>great for devices I have on another floor of the house that aren't wireless
Yep, I have one of my WRT54GL's doing (nearly) the same thing. dd-wrt
calls it Client mode, or Client Bridge if you want to simply extend
the existing network without creating a new subnet.
>and it extends the range of my wireless network to include the driveway at
>the same time.
In my case, I don't have the luxury of giving up half (or more) of my
throughput as a result of running a repeater, so I didn't have much
choice. Repeaters have their place, though.
Anyway, I hope the OP got what he/she needs and is moving ahead.