Set up a wds wireless bridge. WDS (Windows Deployment Services). Quick deployment of client machines from the server. Create a WIM deployment image. Compatibility of WDS implementations
So, how can you increase the range of your network? Of course, using dd-wrt and WDS :)
Ingredients: 2 routers with dd-wrt, straight hands, good mood and of course these instructions.
U Wi-Fi settings There are at least three or four repeater schemes, two of which we will analyze. The first is access point (AP) to access point, the second is in repeater mode.
IN first In this method, several networks appear, respectively, if necessary, clients can switch to the second when moving away from the first access point. In second In the same case, the AP is the main one, while the others play the role of repeaters (Repeater mode). That is, there is only one network, but due to repeaters it expands significantly and clients seamlessly switch between them.
Scheme 1:
So, setup first scheme:
1) Go to the web interface of the first (main) router (let's call it AP1), click there Wireless. Choose a type - Mixed, channel - sixth(it is important that AP1 And AP2 was same channel, it works more stable this way). On the second router (AP2) settings should be similar, except SSID.
3) Now we set it up AP2. To begin with, in the section Setup WAN Connection Type put Disable.
5) B Network setup– ip 192.168.1.2, mask 255.255.255.0 and gateway ip AP1. We set a range different from AP1 (100 there, and 200 here) and register DNSs 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, after which we uncheck Use DNSMasq for DNS. That's it for this section Setup configured.
Ready! :) Now we have two AP, which relay to each other :)
Scheme 2:
Now setup second scheme:
In principle, everything is set up almost the same, with the exception of steps 1 and 5. All other setup steps will remain exactly the same. Regarding step 1 of setting up on the main AP remain the same, but AP2 differ:
As you can see, the parameters are the same, but differ in the parameter Wireless Mode.
Step 5: on AP2 go to setup -> Network Address Server Settings (DHCP)-> and parameter DHCP Type set to DHCP Forwarder, where we indicate ip AP1, in our case it is 192.168.1.1.
That's it, now it's ours WDS-the network is configured according to scheme 2. Good luck! 🙂
We continue to understand the operation of different routers in repeater and bridge modes. In this manual, we will take a detailed look at setting up a Tp-Link router in bridge mode (WDS). I think that you immediately need to understand the question of what WDS is on Tp-Link routers and how it differs from the “Repeater” (repeater) operating mode.
I’ll say right away that on Tp-Link routers there is no such mode as a repeater, like, for example, Asus and Zyxel (there, routers really work like). Only access points from Tp-Link can work as network repeaters. As for ordinary routers, such as: TL-WR941ND, TL-WR740N, TL-WR841N, TL-MR3220, TL-WR842ND and other models, they have the ability to configure bridge mode, also known as WDS.
Update: In the settings of some TP-Link routers, it became possible to configure the router to work as a repeater. Look, maybe your router settings have this option.
What is the difference between bridge mode and repeater mode? I’ll explain it in simple language: in bridge mode, we simply connect two routers via Wi-Fi. This mode can also be used to expand Wi-Fi networks. For example, we have some kind of main router that distributes the Internet via Wi-Fi. And we need to expand this network, increase its range. We take a Tp-Link router, configure it in bridge mode according to these instructions, it receives the Internet via Wi-Fi from the main router, and distributes it further. But, unlike a repeater, you will have another wireless network, with your own name and password.
Of course, repeater (or router in repeater mode) much better suited for this purpose. He just clones and amplifies existing network, and in bridge mode another wireless network appears. And you will have to choose which network to connect to.
I was recently asked this question in the comments:
Good afternoon. The question arose, how to configure the tl-wr941nd router to receive Wifi, and then transmit the Internet via cable. That is, just use it as a receiver. Is it possible to somehow accomplish this?
By configuring your Tp-Link in WDS mode, it can be used as a receiver. To connect to the Internet, for example, a TV or computer that does not have a Wi-Fi receiver.
A few more points:
- With such a connection Internet connection speed may drop significantly via a second router (which we will connect in bridge mode). About 2 times. This is a feature of WDS.
- You can have any main router. Of course, it’s good if both devices are Tp-Link, and even better if they are the same models. I have a main router, and I will configure the bridge on the TL-MR3220. By the way, I was unable to connect Tp-Link with the old Asus RT-N13U.
- We will also change the settings of the main router. We need to set a static channel.
- This method is ideal for wireless connection two routers in bridge mode. For example, on the first floor you have a router, and on the second we install another one and connect it to the first one via Wi-Fi. There is no need to lay the cable anymore.
Setting up a bridge (WDS) on a Tp-Link router
1 First of all, we need to change the channel wireless network on the main router. Please note that the router to which we will connect in bridge mode must be configured. That is, the Internet must work, it must distribute a Wi-Fi network.
My main router is D-link DIR-615.. This means that we need to set a static channel for the wireless network in the settings on the main router. I don’t know what router you have, so see the instructions. In it I wrote about changing the channel on devices different manufacturers.
If, for example, you also have Tp-Link as your main router, then the channel can be changed in the settings (which open at 192.168.1.1 (192.168.0.1), or see the instructions), on the tab Wireless. In field Channel specify a static channel. For example 1, or 6. Press the button Save to save settings.
The static channel has been installed. You can exit the settings of the main router.
First, we need to change the IP address of our Tp-Link. This is necessary to ensure that there are no two devices on the network with the same IP. For example, if the main IP address is 192.168.1.1, and the second one is 192.168.1.1, then there will be an address conflict. Go to the tab Network - LAN. In field IP Address replace the last digit from 1 to 2. You will get the address 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.0.1. Click the button Save. The router will reboot.
We need to know what IP address the main router we are going to connect to has. If it has 192.168.1.1, then on the router that we want to connect via WDS we change the address to 192.168.1.2. And if the main one has an address of 192.168.0.1, then set the second one to 192.168.0.2. It is important that they are on the same subnet.
Go to the settings again, only the IP address will be different - 192.168.1.2. Which we indicated above.
3 Go to the tab Wireless. In field Wireless Network Name you can specify the name of the second wireless network. And in the field Channel be sure to specify the same channel that you set in the settings of the main router. I have channel 1.
Select the desired network from the list from which the router will receive Internet. Against the desired network click on the link "Connect".
4 All we have left is the drop-down menu Key type select the type of security for your network (which we connect to). And in the field Password specify the password for this network. To save, click on the button Save.
Reboot your router. By turning off the power and turning it back on, or in the control panel by clicking on the link "click here".
5 After the reboot, go to the settings again. And right on the main screen (Status tab), look at the section Wireless. Against WDS Status should be written Run.
This means that our Tp-Link will already connect to the main router. And it must distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi and cable. The setup is complete.
If you need IP addresses to be issued by the main router (not the one configured in bridge mode), then on the router that we just configured, you need to disable the DHCP server. You can do this in the settings, on the tab DHCP. By installing a switch near Disable, and saving the settings.
6 Don’t forget to set a password for the Wi-Fi network that the router we configured will distribute. You can see the details. Everything is simple there. In the settings, on the tab Wireless - Wireless Security, highlight the item WPA/WPA2 - Personal(Recommended), in field Wireless Password set a password (minimum 8 characters), and click the button below Save.
Now our Tp-Link router receives the Internet from the main router and distributes it further. Choose the right location to install the second router so that it is within range of the main router.
Setting up a wireless bridge (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) on the new firmware version
I decided to update this article and add up-to-date information on setting up WDS on TP-Link routers with new firmware. Which is in blue tones. Everything is set up a little differently there. I will show you now.
If you have a router with a new control panel, then you need to go to the " Additional settings" – “System tools” – “System parameters”. If you have a dual-band router, then there you will see the opportunity to configure the bridge mode in two bands. At a frequency of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
1 Check the "Enable WDS Bridge" checkbox next to the required frequency. For example, I checked the box next to 2.4 GHz. Click on the "Search" button
2 Select the network you want to connect to from the list. Just click "Select" next to your network. I think you will easily find your network in the list of available ones.
3 If necessary, you can change the security settings (Protection, Password) and click on the “Save” button. If you set a password, then select "WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK". You can also leave the network without a password. If necessary.
The Roture will connect via Wi-Fi to another router and will receive the Internet via a wireless network.
If you need to disable the DHCP server, you can do this on the “Advanced settings” – “Network” – “DHCP server” tab.
If the Internet does not work via cable in WDS mode
If you complete the settings that I showed above, the Internet will only work via Wi-Fi, and when connected to a router (which is in WDS mode) via cable, the Internet does not work. No internet access. This, of course, is not the case, and using the router as a Wi-Fi network receiver, for example, will not work. Therefore, I wrote a question to TP-LINK support, and they answered me.
When setting up the WDS function, you receive IP addressing from the original router (the device to which the WDS client is connected) over both a wired and wireless network. For correct settings For this function, you must definitely disable the DHCP server on the equipment on which the WDS bridge is configured. You also need its local IP address to be in the same subnet as the original router.
I checked everything on the TP-LINK TL-WR740N, and indeed, after disabling the DHCP server, the Internet immediately started working network cable. Disabling DHCP is not difficult at all. In the router settings, open the tab DHCP, set the switch near Disable(disable), and save the settings.
We reboot the router and everything works fine. I immediately got internet via cable. You can go to the settings of this router at the address that we set in the second step. For me it is 192.168.1.2.
Update. Another solution to the problem when a WDS connection is established, but there is no access to the Internet. In the DHCP server settings on the router? which we configure in WDS mode, you need to register the LAN IP address of the main router as the “Default Gateway”.
If it doesn’t help, try registering the IP address of the main router as a DNS server.
Save the settings and reboot the router.
If you can't set up a WDS connection
Update. There is often a situation when the router does not want to connect in bridge mode. Of course, there can be many reasons. In the comments, Eduard suggested one interesting solution - disabling WPS function on both routers. If you have problems setting up WDS mode, you can try. Moreover, few people use a WPS connection, and it is often recommended to disable this function for security reasons and to solve other problems with the wireless network.
This is not difficult to do on TP-Link routers. In the WPS (or QSS) section you just need to disable this function.
And in new firmware.
You need to disable it on both routers. On the main one, and on which we are trying to set up a connection in bridge mode. More information (including devices from other manufacturers) can be found in this article: .
If you have any questions, advice, or comments, write them in the comments.
A wireless distribution system (WDS) is a system that allows access points to communicate wirelessly over an IEEE 802.11 network. It also allows you to expand your wireless network using multiple access points without having to use a wired connection to connect them. For more information about this feature, please refer to the corresponding article on Wikipedia. Below is a guide to simple solution WDS for SOHO class.
*Note: Both devices must have different IP addresses, in the example the IP address of the root access point is 192.168.1.2, while the TP-Link 11n series router has 192.168.1.1 If you want to change the IP address of the TP-Link router, then use the instruction number .
To configure the WDS function on TP-LINK routers that support the 11n standard, you must complete the following steps:
Step 1 Go to the router setup page. If you don't know how to do this, click here.
Step 2 Go to Wireless -> Wireless Settings wireless connection). Check Enable WDS. Then a page similar to the one shown in the figure below will be displayed.
Step 3 Change the channel to the channel of your root access point.
Step 4 Click Search. In the window that appears, find the SSID of your root access point, click Connect.
Step 5 After Step 4, the router will redirect you to the previous page. The SSID of the root access point and some other parameters will be filled in automatically. Then make security settings similar to the security settings on the root access point.
Step 7 Go to System Tools -> Reboot page to reboot your device.
Step 8 All WDS function settings are completed. You can check using the Ping utility. If the test is successful (meaning the WDS function is working properly), you will see a window similar to the one shown in the image below:
If you have further questions, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section or contact customer service technical support TP-Link.
Before understanding the settings of this connection, it is worthwhile to become familiar with the concept of WDS. This abbreviation completely sounds like Wireless Distribution System, which translated into Russian means “wireless distributed system.” This technology, thanks to the ability to combine several WiFi points into one common system, makes it possible to expand the wireless network area.
The advantage of such a connection can be considered that, unlike traditional networks, there is no need for a wired connection between points. WDS communicates wirelessly not only with each other, but also with clients who have the same points. This system, today, is supported by many devices. The main distinguishing feature of this technology is the preservation of the MAC addresses of all users, since during standard data transfer only three fields are used, and with a WDS connection, all four become operational. Access points in such a network can serve as main, relay or remote stations.
Increased network coverage.
Most often, to strengthen the signal and increase the coverage area, they turn to NanoStation M2 and NanoStation M2 Loco. In case clients and those distributing Internet to them use equipment different companies, then for them general work you need to disable the AirMax function. It is located on the initial settings tab. To do this, go to the tab with the name of the station and in the AirMax field, uncheck the “Enable” box. If you need to change any other settings, you need to activate Change. To save all entered data, before exiting the menu, you must click “Apply”.
Setting up the first access point.
To set the required proper operation, data for the first point, the “Wireless” tab opens first. Then in the list " Wireless mode“The “WDS Access Point” field is located, and in the WDS Peers line the address of the second point is indicated. You can easily find out this address by activating the “Main” tab in the settings. The main points of such a system work as repeaters with WEP encryption; this can be changed from the “Security” list. The SSID field indicates the name of the access point, and the country of residence is entered in the country selection line. The width of the transmitted channel is also set in a specially designated list and is usually equal to 20MHz, because not all receiving adapters can support frequencies higher.
In the “Frequency” tab, set the frequency at which you plan to launch the access point. The first two access points should have the same frequency. In the “Security” window, select a WDS profile with WEP encryption, due to the fact that other types simply will not function in repeater mode. A password consisting of ten characters is entered in the “Key” field. After all the necessary manipulations, you must press the “Apply” button, otherwise all entered settings will not be saved. To change the data later, you must first click “Change” and then enter the data.
Network configuration.
All WDS connection settings are made in the “Networks” tab. To configure them, you must initially set the “Bridge” mode. When the “Static” field is activated, data must be entered manually, but with DHCP, all settings will be transferred from the server automatically. Just as mentioned above, all data is saved only after clicking “Apply”. After this, the server determines a new address for the access point automatically, which is why, using the old address, the client will no longer be able to log into the network. To find a new IP faster, it is better to use a special program.
Operating mode and type of encryption.
After familiarizing yourself with the concept of WDS and setting up the first access point, you should proceed to preparing the second. All the necessary data, as in the first case, is entered in the “Networks” tab. If the model you are using has the AirOS 5.5 program, then for further configuration you need to enter the “Wireless Mode” menu, and then select “AP Repeater”, and if AirOS 5.3 is installed, you need to activate the “WDS Access Point”. If the fields marked WDS Peers cannot be filled in, then you must first set the appropriate WEP encryption type in the “Security” menu. The MAC address of the main point is entered into WDS Peers; you can find it in the “Home” tab. All further actions occur in the same way as setting the first point; the channel width is set to the same as the previous one.
Activation of the second access point.
In the “Network Mode” section, you must select the “Bridge” item, and in the “IP Bridge” field you indicate how the point will receive settings, automatic or manual. To save the settings, click “Apply”. After all the settings have been made, you need to check the operation of the points. To do this, in the settings of each of them, open the “Home” menu tab and select the “Stations” item. If all steps were done correctly, the address of the connected access point will be displayed in the open list.
Setting up a TP-Link router.
After the user becomes familiar with the capabilities of WDS connection, he can easily strengthen the signal in his home. In case WiFi router is located at one end of the apartment and its signal does not reach the opposite part of the room, such signal amplification will help to significantly improve the situation. An additional access point will copy the signal and, amplifying it, transmit it over a longer distance. Thus, the Internet will be available equally well throughout the apartment and, possibly, outside it. To make such a connection, it is necessary that the second point be able to operate in repeater mode.
Now, almost all TP-Link router models support this function. Depending on the model, the overall interface and quality of the transmitted connection may differ only slightly. To set your settings for the router, you must first enter the standard login and password, which are indicated in the accompanying documentation or on the back of the device. After this, the main tab will open in front of the user, where all the necessary data is entered.
Recently an old university classmate knocked on my ICQ door (Mich, hello!) and asked how to set up a bridge between two Wi-Fi access points. And I, to my great shame, did not even know what to answer, because I had never tried this before. I know that it’s possible, but here’s how - you have to poke around.
The topic interested me, so I started looking for information.
It turned out that the technology is called WDS - Wireless Distribution System. Expanding the wireless network coverage area by adding access points. The technology is supported by almost all access points and routers of the 802.11 standard, the main thing is that the corresponding setting is available in the device settings web interface (and it is definitely in the firmware from Oleg).
In my case:
We have: old ASUS WL-500W router, D-Link DWL-2100AP access point and ASUS WL-320gE access point. The router (which is 500W) is located in the nursery, approximately in the middle of the apartment. It still gets to the kitchen, but it’s almost gone to the balcony.
We want: so that Wi-Fi reaches all the way to the smoking room by the elevator and to the balcony. Before the smoking room, I wanted to be able to smoke and surf websites at the same time. Plus, when I was in the summer and I didn’t even have a phone with me, I was able to tell Katyukha that I was stuck only thanks to the fact that I had a laptop with me and the home Wi-Fi barely caught on, and then the router was in the kitchen , i.e. was closer to the elevator. In short, it will be cool if the coverage area increases towards the elevator, it might come in handy :-)
The network diagram looks like this (for now I’ll give a diagram for two devices, D-Link turned out to have a faulty power supply, so today I didn’t turn it on to the network):
So, go to the device administration panel and set the parameters:
Router WL500
IP Config - WAN & LAN menu:
WAN ip: some kind, it doesn’t matter, we don’t need it.
LAN ip: 192.168.1.1
Menu Wireless->Interface:
SSID: golnet
channel: 6
Authentication Method: WPA-Personal
WPA Encryption: TKIP
Wireless - Bridge menu:
AP Mode: Hybrid
Channel: 6
Allow anonymous? : No
We add the MAC address of the second point to the Remote Bridge List, i.e. in my case, Asus 320gE, let's say the Mac will be 111111111111
Menu Wireless - Advanced:
Extended Mode: AP or WDS
320gE access point
IP Config - LAN menu:
LAN ip: 192.168.1.254
Menu Wireless->Interface:
SSID: golnet
channel: 6
Authentication Method: WPA
WPA Encryption: TKIP
WPA Pre-Shared Key: goodpassword
Wireless - Bridge menu:
AP Mode: Hybrid
Channel: 6
Connect to APs in Remote Bridge List? : Yes
Allow anonymous? : No
We add the MAC address of the first point to the Remote Bridge List, i.e. in my case of the WL500 router, let's say the poppy will be 222222222222
Menu Wireless - Advanced:
Extended Mode: AP or WDS
That is, in principle, the settings are identical. After which we reboot the devices. That's it, the setup is complete, you can try to connect.
Setting options: in the Wireless-Bridge menu, the AP Mode field:
AP Only - only devices can connect to the point using the usual method, i.e. This is the normal operating mode of the access point
WDS Only - the access point acts only as a bridge; you cannot connect to it from a regular device.
Hybrid - the point can simultaneously act as both a wireless bridge and a regular access point. The most travel mode.
For me, this scheme only worked when assigning the same SSID to both access points and specifying the same TKIP authorization keys. And in open mode ( Open System) worked. But the option with different SSIDs hasn’t worked out yet, but it seems like it should work with different ones, it still needs some digging.
Devices can be connected to a second access point (320gE) both on the LAN and via Wi-Fi (we set the Hybrid mode in its settings). The IP address can be assigned statically, or it can be obtained via DHCP from the main router, it doesn’t matter. It’s better, of course, to set it statically, so that there are no jambs if there is no connection between access points.
In short, the result is obvious - I installed a second access point in the kitchen, now the elevator has a full signal. One drawback is that the transmission speed drops by about half, because several devices operate on the same channel (routers plus whatever connects to them).
That seems to be it.
More setup recipes here -