WDS technology. Setting up a WiFi repeater (repeater) for a wireless network. WDS technology Setting up a secure network with WEP encryption

Many people who actively use the Internet connection currently have a Wi-Fi router. In today's offices, routers are considered an essential element of infrastructure and provide access to the Internet for many users. Often there is a need to connect a device as a client. In client mode, the router independently connects to the existing wireless network and distributes the Internet from it to connected devices.

Why might this mode be needed? For example, you have 2 desktop PCs and 1 Smart TV, which only supports a wired connection. Running network cables from a wireless router is not very easy due to the latter's location. It is much easier to use the D-Link DIR-300.

Client mode can be configured in three different ways:

Enabling client mode in standard firmware

In the instructions given here, setting up the client mode on the DIR-300 is carried out on equipment that has been installed in advance reset to standard. In addition, all procedures are performed on a wireless router that is connected to a PC.

Flashing the DD-WRT router

DD-WRT is free firmware for wireless routers based on BroadCom/Atheros/Xscale/PowerPC microchips. You can download it from this link https://mdex-nn.ru/uploads/dlink-dir300b-factory-webflash.bin. Firmware for routers revision B1 is done like this:

Enter in the search bar of your web browser 192.168.0.1 . Enter your login details. Update the firmware file through the device menu.
At the 1st launch of the firmware Enter login and password administrator.
You can configure the equipment.

For revision A devices, firmware must be installed throughTFTP.

The article describes a way to expand the coverage area of a wireless Wi-Fi network based on Asus and D-link equipment, home or small office class. For example, Asus WL-320gE, Asus WL-520gU and D-Link DIR-300. Often in a room (office, apartment with many concrete walls, two-story rooms) the signal from 1 router is not strong enough to reliably cover the entire workspace. The way out of the situation is to become installing a repeater (repeater or amplifier) Wi-Fi signal.

One solution to the problem is to install separate routers (access points) in adjacent rooms with different networks. In this situation, different parts of the network can access the Internet quickly, but cannot communicate with each other. For this option, in principle, it is possible, but for an office it is categorically unacceptable.

So, we need a stable Wi-Fi network throughout the office. For this we need to have two devices − WiFi router And WiFi access point with repeater function.

Wireless Distribution System (WDS) technology

Allows expand your wireless network coverage by combining several WiFi access points into a single network without the need for a wired connection between them (which is mandatory in a traditional network design). You can use the creation of virtual Wi-Fi access points.

Negative sides WDS :

Network throughput drops up to 50% compared to a normal connection.
The speed of work via WiFi decreases because one channel is used to connect points
compatibility problem between different manufacturers
WEP encryption only.

Positive sides WDS :

lack of wired connection between Wi-Fi access points
saving MAC addresses of network clients

WDS operates based on MAC addresses, similar to a network switch. URE- this is a signal repeater, the signal is relayed without processing, like a wire repeater - by a hub, when the received packet is simply repeated to all ports, or with an antenna crab.

Setting up the Asus Wl-520gU router

For example, the Asus WL-520gU router is connected to a wired Internet provider and will act as a gateway for other computers on the network. The address of the Asus WL-520gU router on the local network is 192.168.1.1. It will also act as a DHCP server on the local network. But the main thing is that in the same network the router and access point should not simultaneously be DHCP servers.

WiFi network and options settings for using WDS

MenuWireless -> Interface:

SSID: yourNetworkName
Channel: 10
Wireless Mode: Auto, 54g Protection installed
Auth. mode: WPA-Personal
WPA-Encryption: TKIP

MenuWireless -> Bridge

AP Mode: Hybrid
Channel: 10
Connect to APs in Remote Bridge List: Yes (Remote Bridge List does not contain mac addresses)

MenuWireless -> Advanced:

Enable AfterBurner: Disabled
Hide SSID: No

MenuSystem Setup -> Operation Mode:

Select Home Gateway mode

Configuring an Asus Wl-320gE access point as a repeater

The access point on our network has an IP address of 192.168.1.2. The DHCP server on this access point must be disabled.

MenuIP Config -> LAN:

IP: 192.168.1.2
Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1

MenuWireless -> Interface:

SSID: yourNetworkName
Wireless Mode: Auto (the checkbox for 54g Protection is not checked for some reason)
Auth. mode: WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK
WPA/WPA2-Encryption: TKIP
Network Key Rotation Interval: 0

MenuWireless -> Advanced:

Hide SSID: No
Set AP Isolated: No
Mode: URE

SettingsURE:

SSID: yourNetworkName
Auth. mode: WPA/WPA2-PSK
WPA/WPA2-Encryption: TKIP
Network Key Rotation Interval: 0

Setting up D-link DIR-300 in Wi-Fi repeater mode

When setting up d-link dir-300 as a Wi-Fi signal repeater, the settings of the second access point remain unchanged. It is recommended before setting up.

Alternative firmware D-link DIR-300

DIR-300 with factory firmware does not have Wi-Fi signal relay mode. Searching for official D-Link firmware with repeater support is useless. Therefore, let’s pay attention to the project DD-WRT firmware at www.dd-wrt.com.

DD-WRT- This free firmware for wireless routers, built on BroadCom, Atheros, Xscale, PowerPC chips. Initially developed for the Linksys WRT54G series of routers (including WRT54GL and WRT54GS) and is a miniature operating system based on the Linux kernel. Distributed under the GNU GPL v2 license.

First you need reflash DIR-300 with DD-WRT firmware. There are descriptions of various firmware methods of this router. DIR-300 Revision B1 can be flashed directly from the standard administrative web interface. If you have any problems with the firmware, you can try reset the router from crash mode.

Setting up D-link DIR-300 in repeater mode

After successful firmware, proceed to setting up the router in Wi-Fi repeater mode. During the first connection to the reflashed DIR-300 via IP address 192.168.1.1, you will be asked to set a new username and password for subsequent configuration.

Instructions for installing DIR-300 in Wi-Fi repeater mode

Installation - Basic Settings

disable the WAN interface
DHCP server
We assign network settings to our repeater. It must be on the same network as the main router. For example, there is a network 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0, the gateway and DNS server is a router with the IP address 192.168.1.1. For the Dir-300 repeater, we knock out a free static address, for example 192.168.100.1, which is not within the distribution range of the DHCP server.
Save the settings.

Wi-Fi setup

Wireless network type - Repeater-bridge,
set the SSID name to the same as that of the relayed network
Save the settings.

Setting up a secure network with WEP encryption

Wi-Fi Network Security
register a similar encryption algorithm and network key that is used in the expandable network!
Save.

As a result we have configured Wi-Fi network repeater based on DIR-300. If you have any questions or would like to contact the contact number of an ITcom specialist.

Various methods are used to expand the coverage area of a Wi-Fi network at home or in the office. A router with a more powerful transmitter or more high-gain antennas is used as an access point.

Another option to resolve the issue is to use the Dir-300 D-Link router as a repeater of the main router.

Client mode in standard firmware

When the D-Link Dir-300 operates as a basic router for a home or office local Wi-Fi network, its technical capabilities are not always sufficient to provide reliable communications to all its subscribers. Especially those who are located at a considerable distance from the access point. The coverage area is expanded by installing Dir as an additional router, choosing its location empirically.

WiFi routers act as the main routers. The provider's cable is connected to them, and another device is used as a repeater, repeater or repeater. The signal itself is not amplified by it, but spreads over a long distance.

The standard firmware version does not provide for the use of Dir-300 in repeater mode. Problems with the firmware lead to a complete absence of the operating modes page in the interface. When you configure the Dir router as a client, the device connects to the main router’s network and distributes Wi-Fi to consumers. When you set the same settings as on the base router, the device turns into a repeater.

We will assume that the settings of the main router to which the provider cable is connected have been completed. That is, the DHCP server is enabled on the router,
IP and DNS addresses are obtained automatically,
The connection type defined by the provider is set. Wi-Fi settings have also been fully configured, and parameters that determine the security of the network have been set.

The router is configured on a PC connected to one of the four LAN connectors. WAN port - for the provider's cable. Login to the repeater interface occurs after:

Therefore, open the Wi-Fi section, and in it - the “Client” item.

On the new page, check the boxes “Enable” and “Broadcast wireless network”. Select and specify the parameters:

name (SSID);
wireless network standard;
its authentication and encryption type;
channel used;
PSK encryption key (password).

The parameters of the Wi-Fi repeater are completely identical to the parameters of the broadcast network of the main router. Execute the “Apply” command.

When returning to the main page, select the “Network/WAN” section by clicking on the “Add” stencil. We create a new connection, where we specify “Dynamic IP”, “Wi-Fi Client interface”.
Save the settings by clicking the “Apply” stencil. A pop-up window will appear asking you to save the device configuration.
After clicking on it, the client will connect to the main Wi-Fi, and consumers will receive the Internet.

Alternative firmware

DD WRT is a universal firmware for routers, created to expand the capabilities of “fine-tuning”, taking into account the requirements of each user. The update comes with additional features, including setting up a Wi-Fi repeater, which is not in the menu of the D-Link Dir-300 router. Before installing the firmware, you need to find out the manufacturer (D-Link), model name and version (Dir-300). Then enter this data on the DD WRT website indicating the revision. If the latter is present in the list, the firmware is downloaded: a file with the .bin extension - on the PC.

After entering the Dir interface, find the “System” tab, and in it - the “Software Update” item. By clicking on the “Browse” stencil, we find the downloaded file and execute the “Update” command. After the process is completed, reboot the Dir-300 router.

Repeater mode setting

After updating the software and installing universal firmware, there is a chance to configure the Dir-300 router as a repeater (repeater) of the Wi-Fi network signal of the main router. To do this, disable DHCP in the settings. From it, the router automatically receives an IP from a specified range for a certain time. We manually assign a free static IP to the repeater that is not included in this range. In addition, we enter the connection data: the gateway and DNS server addresses that match the network address of the Dir-300 router, the provider’s subnet mask.

So, we need a stable Wi-Fi network throughout the office. For this we need to have two devices − WiFi router And WiFi access point with repeater function.