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docs:guide-user:network:wifi:atheroswds [2023/04/24 16:31] – Replaced <code> blocks with simplified configuration files. Added clarifications and other minor fixes. icecreamdocs:guide-user:network:wifi:atheroswds [2024/02/15 05:28] – [Wireless Repeater (Wireless Extender)] add relayd as alternative. bill888
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-====== Wireless network bridge (wireless repeater) ======+====== Wireless Repeater (Wireless Extender) ======
  
-This network setup consists of a wireless access point and a wireless repeater. The access point is the device that connects to the main network using a wired connection and enables access to the internet. The repeater connects wirelessly to the access point as a station or client device. Once connected, it acts as a bridge to provide access to that main network and to the internet for any wireless and wired client devices connected to the repeater. This setup is useful to extend the reach of your network, such as the Wi-Fi coverage on your location.+This network setup consists of a wireless access point and a wireless repeater. The access point is the device that connects to the main network using a wired connection and enables access to the internet. The repeater connects wirelessly to the access point as a station or client device. Once connected, it acts as a "bridge" or more accurately a point to point link, to provide access to that main network and to the internet for any wireless and wired client devices connected to the repeater. This setup is useful to extend the reach of your network, such as the Wi-Fi coverage on your location.
  
-The method described in this article results in a transparent bridge at layer 2 in the OSI model. All broadcast packets, such as DHCP requests, are sent in both directions over the wireless bridge. The original source MAC address of the network devices on both sides are preserved over the bridge.+The method described in this article results in a backhaul link at layer 2 in the OSI model. All broadcast packets, such as DHCP requests, are sent in both directions over the link. The original source MAC address of the network devices on both sides are preserved over the bridge.
  
 The client devices connected to the upstream access point and those connected to the repeater will be on the same subnet. In other words, they will be visible to each other and, therefore, enable the use of discovery and configuration protocols such as zeroconf. The upstream access point and the repeater remain accessible over the network. The client devices connected to the upstream access point and those connected to the repeater will be on the same subnet. In other words, they will be visible to each other and, therefore, enable the use of discovery and configuration protocols such as zeroconf. The upstream access point and the repeater remain accessible over the network.
  
-The wireless distribution system technology (WDS mode) is required to create a network bridge over a wireless link between the access point and the repeater device. The IEEE 802.11-1999 standard defines WDS as a mechanism for constructing 802.11 frames using a 4-address format, however, it does not define how to implement it or how stations interact to arrange for exchanging frames of this format ((https://www.ieee802.org/1/files/public/802_architecture_group/802-11/4-address-format.doc)). This may lead to problems when using WDS between network devices from different chipset and firmware vendors, so **it is advisable to use OpenWrt both on the access point and on the repeater** to use a shared implementation of this technology and increase your chances to make it work fine. Most wireless drivers in OpenWrt support the WDS mode.+Two wireless protocols can be used to achieve this, "WDS" and "802.11s-mesh" 
 + 
 +This document will describe the use of WDS. 
 +For 802.11s mesh see: [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:mesh:80211s]] 
 + 
 +The wireless distribution system technology (WDS mode) is required to create a network connection over a wireless link between the access point and the repeater device. The IEEE 802.11-1999 standard defines WDS as a mechanism for constructing 802.11 frames using a 4-address format, however, it does not define how to implement it or how stations interact to arrange for exchanging frames of this format ((https://www.ieee802.org/1/files/public/802_architecture_group/802-11/4-address-format.doc)). This may lead to problems when using WDS between network devices from different chipset and firmware vendors, so **it is advisable to use OpenWrt both on the access point and on the repeater** to use a shared implementation of this technology and increase your chances to make it work fine. Most wireless drivers in OpenWrt support the WDS mode. 
 + 
 +If you are unable to use WDS or 802.11s mesh due to limiations of the Access Point, then you may wish to consider using [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:relay_configuration|Relayd - Wireless Repeater/Extender]] or [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:connect_client_wifi|simple wireless client]]
  
 ===== Configuration ===== ===== Configuration =====
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 Disconnect the repeater from the wired network and reboot it, for example, by using its power button. Disconnect the repeater from the wired network and reboot it, for example, by using its power button.
  
-The repeater should boot and connect automatically to the access point wirelessly via WDS. It may take a few minutes for the repeater to associate and connect to the access point. Once this has happened, and if you decided to enable the DHCP client on the LAN interface (dynamic address), the wired interface of the repeater should succeed in getting a DHCP address through the new wireless bridge connection. The wireless interface on the repeater does not get an IP address as it is now acting as a transparent bridge.+The repeater should boot and connect automatically to the access point wirelessly via WDS. It may take a few minutes for the repeater to associate and connect to the access point. Once this has happened, and if you decided to enable the DHCP client on the LAN interface (dynamic address), the wired interface of the repeater should succeed in getting a DHCP address through the new wireless backhaul connection. The wireless interface on the repeater does not get an IP address as it is now acting as a transparent bridge.
  
-Any client devices connected to the repeater via an Ethernet cable (wired clients) should now be transparently bridged into the main network over the wireless (WDS) link.+Any client devices connected to the repeater via an Ethernet cable (wired clients) should now be transparently connected into the main network over the wireless (WDS) link.
  
 ==== LuCI ==== ==== LuCI ====
  • Last modified: 2024/06/24 06:19
  • by bluewavenet