Connecting 2 routers wirelessly

[necro007]

Hi guys, basically my situation is as follows, I have 2 routers- (Billion 400G wireless-G) I want to connect them wirelessly. Have one setup as Router 1(Main) and then Router2 (another access point) so my desktop can connect to Router 2 with a cat5 cable.
I’ve already setup Router1, internet is working 100%. I’ve got my PS3 and 2 laptops connected, all wirelessly. The issue is the router is placed in a very open area and running a cable wouldn’t be feasible. So I got to thinking maybe I could use the other router as an Access point. I did some reading and tried changing some settings but no luck....

All help would be great.

Thanks.

 

[JackMDS]

Do you want the second Router to connect to the first one with cable and then transmit Wirelesslly?

Then do this, http://www.ezlan.net/router_AP.html

Otherwise, you need a WDS (Repeater) configuration.

Start with One affordable Wireless Router that can do WDS (the reason to start with WDS capable Router is that in case you need to add more Wireless WDS hardware the original Router has to support it).

If you are lucky and your environment is conducive to get covered with one Good Wireless Router and you are done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireles...ibution_System.

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The following hardware links are use as an example any other Wireless hardware that allow such a configuration will do too.
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Buffalo-HP-54G, Linksys WRT54GL, and Asus, 520GU can do WDS when flashed with DD-WRT firmware.

It is a good idea to start with the Buffalo since it is a High Power Wireless Router that covers more distance to begin with, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

Due to the added flexibility, it is better solution to choose Routers that can work with DD-WRT
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

http://meanderingpassage.com/2007/04...on-system-wds/

Using a Laptop loaded with Wirelessnetview, do a Wireless survey, http://majorgeeks.com/WirelessNetView_d6102.html

According to the signal strength reading, identify spots that have strong signal. and spot with weak, or No signal.

Evaluate how you can cover the space and start placing WDS units.

Additional Wireless Routers in WDS Mode (Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ) has to be placed in spots were the signal is good about Half way to the dead spots.

How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment (that is a good the reason to buying WDS units one at the time, try it, and decide on the Next step).

More about the topic (the pages bellow were written a while ago, ignore the specific hardware recommendation just stick to the principle and get current hardware).

 

[necro007]

Hi Jack, thanks for the reply...

Is there anyway i can use my current hardware to set my routers in Bridge/Client Modes.

Coz my understanding is In Bridge/Client Modes the device connects via Wireless to the source (main router)and the computers are plugged via wire to its RJ-45 ports.

And thats exactly what i want to do.

 

[JackMDS]

The second Router (client) has to be configured to Wireless Bridge (client mode).

If the Router can not do it as is, you need to buy one that can be flashed with DD-WRT.

Here is a list of Routers (end of page), http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Installation

Here how to configure, http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridged

The least expensive decenet DD-WRT Flashable Router is,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833320023

 

[necro007]

Hi Jack, I found an old router... it’s a "Linksys - WRT54G, v.3" After reading your links bellow, looks like I can use this as the "client”.

I haven't read all the details about flashing with DD-WRT, so after I finish that I’ll continue.

Any other suggestions or comments would be great.

Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

The WRT54G, v.3 is great with DD-WRT.

Leave all the Wireless hardware parameters alone just hike the Output to about 70mW.

 

[necro007]

Hi, is this the right instructions to follow?


http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linksys_WRT54G_v3.0

it says to flash using "WRT54G Trailed Build " and after following the steps listed, i can begin using the router.

Is that correct?

Sorry if i'm asking silly questions here, i don't want to brick my router lol.
Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah, it looks like you are on the right track.

 

[necro007]

Hi Jack, I followed the guide and installed DD-WRT with no issues... I can log on to the router.

I followed this guide: for setting the bridge up wirelessly

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridged

After step "27. Set your computer back to auto IP and auto DNS."

I can't log back into the router, so I checked my IP address and it’s coming up as the screen shot attached.


http://www.4shared.com/photo/KlLezAvB/Untitled.html

I tried 3 more times, hard reset and follow the instructions again but no luck... all end the same way.

What did I do wrong?

 

[necro007]

Any help?...

 

[Mediaga]

Any help?...

Your IPV4 address is incorrect, there is no default gateway or DNS servers. I had this issue with a laptop and single wrt54g. Two other laptops could connect fine. I never did figure out why Auto-Obtain wouldn't resolve, so I finally just manually entered my IP Address, DNS servers and default gateway. In your case, that would be skipping step 27.

I'm not sure if there are any caveats to the manual (static) entries. If so, perhaps someone will educate us.

 

[necro007]

Your IPV4 address is incorrect, there is no default gateway or DNS servers. I had this issue with a laptop and single wrt54g. Two other laptops could connect fine. I never did figure out why Auto-Obtain wouldn't resolve, so I finally just manually entered my IP Address, DNS servers and default gateway. In your case, that would be skipping step 27.

I'm not sure if there are any caveats to the manual (static) entries. If so, perhaps someone will educate us.

Hi Mediaga, i'll set it back to manual... just the thing is i can't get any internet, even when it is manual... I'm going to try and add the 2nd router's mac address in the 1st router..

Will post back.

Thanks

 

[Mediaga]

Hi Mediaga, i'll set it back to manual... just the thing is i can't get any internet, even when it is manual... I'm going to try and add the 2nd router's mac address in the 1st router..

Will post back.

Thanks

Did you enter your DNS servers? If you don't know them and have other systems on the network that can connect, you can find them via the IPconfig /all command at the command prompt.

You can also get them from your IP.

The afore mentioned experience (prompting manual entry) was for a single wireless router. Not sure how it applies to your 2 router situation.

 

[necro007]

I followed the instructions to the T...yes i entered the DNS details... This is so odd.

 

[Mediaga]

I don't see any mention of turning off the DHCP server on the 2nd router. Might be worth a try...