WiFi wireless repeater
A wireless repeater is a device that allows you to extend the signal of your WiFi network in so that it has a greater reach. By configuring a router as a repeater that works as two segments that are on the same subnet.
The two routers connected to the same network can receive requests to the connected equipment. When a new computer connects from either point, it is assigned an IP address, but one of the two segments is the one that acts as a DHCP server.
The repeater is a good alternative for avoid building a wired network which can be expensive in infrastructure costs. While wired connections are fairly stable, wireless connections are gaining traction every day.
The devices connected to the repeater they will share the same width di band of the main router. DD-WRT wireless bridges initially limited the wired connection to the secondary router only.
New versions such as DD-WRT v24 already have the Repeater Bridge mode. This means that you can make wired connections to the secondary router and extend the range of the connection.
What is DD-WRT?
It is an open source firmware that can be installed on a router to add extra functions that more specialized routers have. One of the features it offers is the ability to use the router as a wireless repeater. You just need to download the firmware from the official page and take some time to configure.
Requirements for configuring a router as a repeater
- Ethernet Cable (for wired connection)
- Router (with previously installed DD-WRT firmware)
- Access data to the router configuration (Address, username and password)
Configure a DD-WRT router as a WiFi wireless repeater
- Connect the PC to the router via the Ethernet cable with the previous installation of the DD-WRT and the main modem router. The configuration connection must be wired only.
- Enter your browser in preference for router configuration. Put the IP address 192.168.1.1 in the address bar, it is the IP address you usually have initially when install the firmware.
- Enter your access data and in the router configuration set the computer for the cable connection with DHCP enabled.
- Click the Wireless menu and then click Basic Settings.
Once you have entered the basic settings, change the value of Wireless Mode in Repeater, Wireless Network Mode: Mixed and Wireless Network Name (SSID). The last value must have the same name as the WiFi network to which the repeater will connect.
Now you need to create a virtual interface in the Virtual Interfaces section of Basic Settings.
- Press the Add button
- Enter a wireless network name (SSID) other than the one you have already created. The API Isolation option in Disable and Network Configuration mode puts Bridge.
- Hit the Save button
Change the security options physical instance of the router and virtual instance da Wireless – Wireless Security
- Change the value of Security Mode, WPA Algorithms, and WPA Shared Key. It must be the same as the value of the main router.
- Click the Save button to save the changes.
Access the Configuration - Basic Configuration menu to change the access data to the router.
- Enter an IP address (different from the primary router in the Local IP field.
- Leave the default of Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Enable Multicast Filter in the Security - Firewall menu and save the changes. To finish saving the configuration from the Administration - Management menu, press the Save button and Apply Settings.
The router restarts automatically, now you can disconnect the cable from the router and when searching for WiFi connections, the repeater connection has already been found.
