Wireless repeater out of WRT54G?

[Redfallon]

Is it possible to use a Linksys WRT54G as a wireless repeater? I think this is what I need to do. I'm wanting to use the router as a bridge, but wireless to the clients instead of wired. The setup I want will be like this:

router1 (wireless) --> router2 (wireless) --> clients A, B, etc (one wired the rest wireless)

Is this possible? Is it possible with my existing equipment? Would both routers have to be Linksys?

[glc]

No, it can't do that. Some routers can these days (I'm not versed on exactly which ones), but not that one.

I think the cheapest way to do what you want to do is buy 2 powerline bridges. This will work if they plug into the same house electrical system. This is assuming it's not feasible to connect the 2 routers together with a CAT5.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833190002

There are others, this is an example.

What you would do is connect a port from router #1 to one of these, and another one of these to router #2 - using switch ports on both routers, not the WAN port. You would then reconfigure router #2 to be just an access point by logging into it, disabling its DHCP server, and changing its internal IP address to one in router #1's subnet but outside its DHCP scope. The only interaction issue would be the area between the 2 routers if you are walking around with a laptop - which AP is it going to associate with? I honestly don't know what would happen if you set both wireless sections up identically.

[Redfallon]

Wouldn't I be better off G to just purchase a wireless repeater to boost the signal from the original Linksys router? As a side note, I know you've installed at least one SRX router, would it do what I'm wanting?

[Redfallon]

Would a wireless AP allow me to do what I want as well? I may be able to come by one of those rather cheaply from a friend. Could I do:

Router >wireless> AP >ethernet> second router (perhaps in bridge mode?) >wireless> clients

OR

Router >wireless> 2nd router (in bridge mode) >ethernet> AP >wireless> clients

if you know what I'm getting at. Does the WRT54G not have a "bridge" mode?

[glc]

Correct - no bridge mode in a WRT54G. It only has traditional WAP functions.

Let's back up a bit - what model is router #1? How far are you trying to reach with it, and what's the distribution of your client computers and what other wired/wireless hardware do you presently have and can get your hands on? Paint me a good picture and I can come up with something.

[Redfallon]

I will check back in later or tomorrow G with some more details. I apologize I'm in a pinch here this afternoon. I'll have to check on my WRT54G version number as well. I have found there's some aftermarket firmware allowing the 54G to be used in "client" mode or as a bridge. Basically trying to network together two buildings across a courtyard. I've got two 54g routers already. Is my router-bridge-AP feasible, presuming I use some aftermarket firmware allowing the Linksys router to work as a bridge. Doesn't have to be the same network for filesharing purposes, but I need to have internet connectivity for all the machines. I could go wired on the client end, but there's a couple laptops so I'd prefer for it to stay wireless. I will try to be more clear later or tomorrow. Thanks for your help again, G.

[cmillar6]

it can be done with third party firmware, post your question here http://www.linksysinfo.org and somebody will tell you exactly how to do it.

[glc]

Actually to go across a courtyard, I'd use a pair of dedicated AP's like Linksys WAP54G's. Set them up in bridge mode and plug them into the routers at each end. Set the router at the remote end up as a switch/AP like I already described. This will be the most reliable, and if necessary, you could put cantennas on each AP to get the best signal strength you can across the bridge.

This way, each router can also service wireless clients in their respective buildings with no interference from the bridges. It's also cheaper than the brute force method - using a MIMO router and hoping clients in the other building can see it.

[Redfallon]

G: The routers would then communicate with the AP's, and the AP's would communicate with each other, correct? One router's signal will currently reach across the courtyard, with an external antenna. And I already have a second router. Could I get by with one access point and using my second router in client mode with non-OEM firmware? Only one of the routers has to be set in "bridge" or "client" mode, correct? And then I could plug the AP into it? Just trying to go with the most economical route. I appreciate all the help.

[glc]

The problem with converting a router to a bridge with 3rd party firmware is this - I think you will lose the ability to associate local wireless clients with it. I also don't think you can still use it as a "master" router with the broadband modem plugged into it, it would have to be the "client" switch. Hence my recommendation for 2 AP's or dedicated bridge devices.

I may be wrong, but I'm pointing out possible downsides.

[Redfallon]

I get what you're saying, G. Something like the following picture, hope it's clear, is, in your opinion, my best bet? Just for clarity, and I know you don't like the third party firmware idea, but in general, with all routers, is only one required to be used in bridge mode? Hence, the "main" router continues to operate as a normal router, broadcasting to many clients, and the second router (in "bridge" mode) is just acting like another client? Or do BOTH routers have to lose the ability to connect to each other? Perhaps this is what's confusing me. I see some people say "use my linksys in "client" mode with third party firmware" which sounds to me like it's working just like a wireless NIC, not affecting the first router at all. I was hoping that way I'd only have to buy the single AP, as I've already got two routers. Looks like that's wishful thinking. Maybe this is different than true "bridge" mode as supported by some routers/ap's. Perhaps I need to go study some more! Thanks again for your help!

**Edited to add** I re-read your post, and it seems my above question you've answered as best you can. I'll have to look and see if by using the third party firmware I'd have to install it in BOTH routers, which would make my idea not plausible, as I imagine I would lose the connectivity to the other clients. I was hoping I could install the firmware in the second one, leaving the first untouched. Time to further research the third party firmware.

[glc]

Your diagram is the way I would do it. The router that is NOT connected to the Internet directly would be the one you would reconfigure to act as a switch and local AP as indicated in post #2 in this thread. No firmware hacks required to do this. Both AP's will need appropriate IP addresses.

Whenever you try to make an AP *or* a wireless router act as BOTH an AP *and* a bridge endpoint is where you start having issues.

Come to think of it, you MAY be able to configure up a WAP54G to be a bridge endpoint at the remote end, connected to the reconfigured WRT54G, and be able to have the master router service it and its local clients. Being that you will need at *least* one more AP than you have now, try it, if it doesn't work well enough, then go get the second AP.

[bill the farmer]

This topic is one I am trying to sort this way.
I have gone the Belkin way. Starting with their ADSL wireless modem and router.
Now I have purchassed a Belkin asses point, to be told by Belkin I will have to install 1 every 30 to 35 feet..

My problem is trying to cover a distance of 400 metres

I think they are after a lot of my money. HI HI

[glc]

You may well have to, Bill - unless you set up a wireless bridge with 2 access points and high gain directional external antennas. 400 meters is a LONG way to go with consumer grade wifi equipment - you may want to look at commercial grade stuff.

[bill the farmer]

Thanks for the reply G.
At the moment without the asses point in line I am getting about 100 metres before drop out. It will be interesting to see how far I can get when its added in line which will be tomorrow afternoon.
At one stage I was thinking along the lines of a hy-gain antenna, that will not be a problem, if I can get one in the UK.
All my land is quite level as we are on the fload plains. On my calculations the antenna would need to be somewhere in the gain of about 22dbg.
I could be wrong it was a long time ago I was at school.
In the end I could always get one of the cows or horse to carry the signal for me.

[Redfallon]

The sveasoft firmware for the linksys WRT54G's allows you to up the transmit power of the router. With external antennas you can get a pretty decent range out of those suckers. With a directional antenna even longer. I'm a big fan of the hacked firmware, it opens a LOT of features I never knew were in my router.

[glc]

Bill, search Google for "cantenna" - you can make your own. Worth a try. Put one at each end aimed at each other for best results.