Wifi AP

[The_Mowgs]

I have a mikrotik hap router but the WiFi coverage is not enough for my house.

I have a network cable plugged into my switch with the other point in one of the bedrooms. I want to use a spare tp link w8980 as a access point but not sure how to do the setup at all or which settings to change.

I would like the mikrotik to keep wifi but the other devices should switch over if the coverage is not enough.

How would I go about this after I plug the tp link into the switch?

 

[SauRoNZA]

On the TP-Link

1. Static IP in same range as Mikrotik.

2. Gateway + DNS should be the Mikrotik IP (if there is a DHCP relay option use that and enter Mikrotik IP there)

3. DISABLE DHCP.

4. Plug into one of the LAN ports, NOT the WAN port.

Now it should be working.

Wifi make sure to use a different channel than the Mikrotik but use the same SSID and passcode.

Handover isn't an exact science in these cases so often the best way is to quickly disable and re-enable wifi when you've moved around the house and need it to forcibly switch.

 

[The_Mowgs]

On the TP-Link

1. Static IP in same range as Mikrotik.

2. Gateway + DNS should be the Mikrotik IP (if there is a DHCP relay option use that and enter Mikrotik IP there)

3. DISABLE DHCP.

4. Plug into one of the LAN ports, NOT the WAN port.

Now it should be working.

Wifi make sure to use a different channel than the Mikrotik but use the same SSID and passcode.

Handover isn't an exact science in these cases so often the best way is to quickly disable and re-enable wifi when you've moved around the house and need it to forcibly switch.

Thanks, will give it a go.
Should the tp link not be changed to a different mode or is there no such thing?

 

[SauRoNZA]

Thanks, will give it a go.
Should the tp link not be changed to a different mode or is there no such thing?

There might be.

If there is then it should simply be a switch between Router Mode and Access Point mode and if that is the case it makes our life a bit easier as it pretty much will just make the settings changes above automatically.

The logic above is really for any old Router to be turned into a Wireless Access Point.

The only difference a Mode change would do is possibly give you access to the WAN port as a LAN port instead.

 

[The_Mowgs]

There might be.

If there is then it should simply be a switch between Router Mode and Access Point mode and if that is the case it makes our life a bit easier as it pretty much will just make the settings changes above automatically.

The logic above is really for any old Router to be turned into a Wireless Access Point.

The only difference a Mode change would do is possibly give you access to the WAN port as a LAN port instead.

There was an option for wireless mode which I changed it to but now I cant access the mikrotik router from my pc which is wired.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Okay seems the two modes are only DSL or Wireless Router Mode.

https://static.tp-link.com/res/down/doc/TD-W8980_V1_UG.pdf

Chapter 4.4

In this case you don't want it to do any Routing so you'd select Wireless Router Mode but still follow my guidelines.

 

[SauRoNZA]

There was an option for wireless mode which I changed it to but now I cant access the mikrotik router from my pc which is wired.

Yeah that's because you have DHCP on still and running two different IP ranges.

And make sure you aren't using the WAN port on the TP-Link.

 

[The_Mowgs]

Yeah that's because you have DHCP on still and running two different IP ranges.

And make sure you aren't using the WAN port on the TP-Link.

DHCP is off on the tp link but I still cant reach the mikrotik

 

[HeftyCrab]

You should also be able to change the wifi power output. Try and make it so that they dont overlap, otherwise your device will hold on to the old signal even when your closer to the new signal.

 

[HeftyCrab]

I did this a long time ago. I think I possibly used this:

https://www.tp-link.com/us/faq-417.html

 

[SauRoNZA]

DHCP is off on the tp link but I still cant reach the mikrotik

And you are using the LAN ports on both sides? Then there should be no reason why they can't talk to each other if they are in the same IP range.

Turn the NAT and Firewall off on the TP-Link just in case, but that should only affect a WAN port usage anyway.

 

[The_Mowgs]

Ok the cable is plugged into the LAN port of the tp link, it then goes to a switch and it is then plugged into the mikrotik LAN port.

 

[The_Mowgs]

This is not working. I still cant access the mikrotik although I can through wifi.

First picture is the settings on the tp link and the second picture is the error I get when trying to change the LAN settings to the same IP range as the mikrotik

 

[SauRoNZA]

You shouldn't be changing the WAN IP at all...as you aren't using the WAN.

You are only using LAN.

So switch WAN back to automatic and then change the LAN IP to Mikrotik range.

 

[The_Mowgs]

You should also be able to change the wifi power output. Try and make it so that they dont overlap, otherwise your device will hold on to the old signal even when your closer to the new signal.

Which setting should I choose on the AP? This is the only option I see.


I also dont know where to check it on the mikrotik but luckily I have it setup and working now.

 

[The_Mowgs]

These are the options I have on the mikrotik. I take it the frequency corresponds to the channel number next to it. Should the 2 wifi's be on different channels or on the same?

 

[HeftyCrab]

Which setting should I choose on the AP? This is the only option I see.


I also dont know where to check it on the mikrotik but luckily I have it setup and working now.

Tplink has a setting for transmit power. It has ranges in percentages, in a little drop down menu.

Cant remember exactly where it is in the menu, or even if all of them support it.

 

[CamiKaze]

It's a wonder that the other clot is not in this thread with his one word replies.

 

[The_Mowgs]

It's a wonder that the other clot is not in this thread with his one word replies.

I was actually thinking about it when I was creating this thread. It will probably pop in soon

 

[The_Mowgs]

Tplink has a setting for transmit power. It has ranges in percentages, in a little drop down menu.

Cant remember exactly where it is in the menu, or even if all of them support it.

I will have a look because it seems like there is no switch over between the 2, all the devices just stay on the tp link