Creating a wireless network bridge

[HoodRich]

Hi,

I have the following ADSL setup at home

1) Dlink 2540U ADSL router (wired)
2) Netgear WGT624 wireless router

My current config is the Dlink running in "non-bridge" mode, with one of the LAN points running to the Netgear wifi router. All firewall and DHCP features on the Netgear are turned off. In other words, its just acting as a wireless AP - providing wireless signal throughout the house.

My problem is that my study is on one end of the house - so the wifi signal is weak/non-existant on the end of the house.

I recently got my hands an Asus WL520-G wireless router. This router has WDS, so it is able to act as as repeater. Would it be possible to use this Asus wifi router as a repeater for the signal from the Netgear wifi router? If this works, I could place the Asus in the middle of the house, meaning the signal will make it all across the house.

I read the manual of my Asus router, and the instructions they have to create a wifi bridge revolves around using TWO WL520-g's. Do I have to go out and buy another one or can I just my Netgear + Asus routers together?

I have tried setting up the Asus in WDS mode.....and I added the MAC address of the Netgear - but it didnt seem to be doing anything. I suspect it wont work hand in hand with the Netgear.

Any input on the subject matter?

 

[DevInPta]

Hi Hoodrich... I'm pretty much a newb here, so take my answer with a pinch of salt:

I'm inclined to say NO. WDS is all good and well, but doesn't really work between different manufacturers' hardware. ie. Ideally you would want two Netgear routers to WDS to each other.

Also, most routers / APs as we know them are dumbed down - it might say it will bridge, but it's not a true bridge in the WLAN glossary type of way.

I have very much the same problem as you do though...

My network looks like this:
(1) Netgear DGN2000 in the SE corner of the house, that's where the phone line is for ADSL
(2) XBox with wireless receiver in N corner of house
(3) Desktop PC with D-Link DWL-G132 USB WiFi dongle in the study, SW corner of the house, serving media to the XBox, hosting a bunch of services that need to be exposed to the www through DynDNS, etc.

Problem is the distance, approximately 30 m and a open courtyard (read: walls) between all of these, so my signal strength is not grand at either (2) or (3).

I've now made the mistake of buying a D-Link DIR-655 to try and bridge the network to (3), but I can't get it to work. All examples I have found require a physical wire connection between the two routers, which just isn't practical in my case, I don't have a ceiling to run it through.

I do have a Netgear DG384GT lying around at the office somewhere, will see if I can get away with using the D-Link there and getting the WDS up and going here at home between the Netgears.

Will report back as soon as I have a result (hopefully positive)

 

[Ancalagon]

You guys could try the DD WRT firmware. Its a third party, mostly open source firmware that supports multiple models of routers, and supports WDS. Flashing both of your routers to DD WRT might enable WDS on both of them.

I say might, because I'm really not sure. And there is the risk of permanent damage to your router. However, I've heard its pretty good stuff and works very well.

 

[DevInPta]

I've already got DGTeam's firmware running on the DGN2000, but DDWRT doesn't run on my D-Link Will check if I can't find other firmware that might do it.

 

[HoodRich]

DevinPta - Thanks .... Looks like I am SOL when it comes to WDS between the Netgear and the Asus. I guess I will to just shell out a bit and get the Asus. Good thing is, its only around R350 incl Vat....so its not too bad. Just didnt want to buy it if I could somehow get it to talk to the Netgear.

Could you explain one thing to me......if I roam around the house with a laptop or some other wireless device, will it pull packets from the router closest to it? ie, the one with the stronger signal? How does this setup work?

Ancalagon - I have explored flashing with a Linux-based firmware for simplicity sake......unfortunately, both my routers dont work well with WRT

So, I think I should just go out and buy another Asus WL520-g