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| docs:guide-user:network:wifi:relay_configuration [2024/06/22 02:04] – Editorial pass over initial paragraphs richb-hanover | docs:guide-user:network:wifi:relay_configuration [2024/06/22 06:26] – Final editorial pass richb-hanover | ||
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| ====== Wireless Repeater/ | ====== Wireless Repeater/ | ||
| - | This page describes how to make an OpenWrt router into a Wi-Fi repeater/ | + | This article |
| - | It acts as an AP (access point) for local devices with one radio, and makes a separate | + | It makes a Wi-Fi connection to the "main router" |
| - | Wi-Fi connection to the "main router" | + | and acts as an AP (access point) for local devices |
| - | The extender then relies on the '' | + | The extender then relies on the '' |
| For the sake of simplicity, this article will use the term "Wi-Fi extender" | For the sake of simplicity, this article will use the term "Wi-Fi extender" | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
| You may also wish to consider using an alternate [[: | You may also wish to consider using an alternate [[: | ||
| - | The image below describes | + | There is a Youtube video that shows substantially the same procedure as described below: |
| + | https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | The image below shows the normal | ||
| + | The "main router" | ||
| and its LAN port (192.168.1.1/ | and its LAN port (192.168.1.1/ | ||
| - | The Wi-Fi extender is on the left. Its W-LAN port (labeled 192.168.1.30) connects | + | The Wi-Fi extender is on the left. |
| + | It makes a wireless connection (labeled "W-LAN (Client)" | ||
| The Wi-Fi extender' | The Wi-Fi extender' | ||
| Line 23: | Line 28: | ||
| Even though all end devices on the Wi-Fi extender will get a DHCP address from the main router' | Even though all end devices on the Wi-Fi extender will get a DHCP address from the main router' | ||
| + | The rest of this article uses 192.168.2.1 as the "Wi-Fi extender subnet" | ||
| Since both ethernet ports and Access Point Wi-Fi network are on the same **LAN** interface, all clients connecting to the Ethernet ports and to the Access Point Wi-Fi network of the Wi-Fi extender device will be routed by **relayd** and will be connected to your main network. | Since both ethernet ports and Access Point Wi-Fi network are on the same **LAN** interface, all clients connecting to the Ethernet ports and to the Access Point Wi-Fi network of the Wi-Fi extender device will be routed by **relayd** and will be connected to your main network. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 34: | ||
| The **LAN** interface subnet will be used only as a " | The **LAN** interface subnet will be used only as a " | ||
| - | ===== Using relayd ===== | + | You may use the same Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and encryption, password, etc. |
| - | ==== Required packages ==== | + | settings on the Wi-Fi extender as your main router. |
| - | **relayd** package is of course needed, and **luci-proto-relay** is optional for the LuCI Web Interface. \\ | + | This allows wireless devices connected to your (wider) |
| - | \\ | + | Alternatively, |
| - | Disconnect this router from your main network | + | |
| + | This procedure has been tested with OpenWrt 23.05.3 | ||
| - | Alternatively, | ||
| + | ===== Setup with LuCI Web GUI ===== | ||
| - | ==== Setup with LuCI Web Interface ==== | + | ==== Configure LAN Interface ==== |
| - | Updated with new screenshots from OpenWrt 21.02. \\ | + | The **LAN** interface of the Wi-Fi extender must be set in a different subnet than the main router. |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | To build a simple Wi-Fi repeater (a device that extends | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | Alternatively, | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | Setting up a Wi-Fi network at this stage is not necessary if you just want a "Wifi bridge" | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | For simplicity and best chance of success, the instructions below are only for setting up a Wifi bridge device. A computer with an ethernet connection is required. \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | === LAN Interface === | + | * Remove any wired connections between your Wi-Fi extender and your main router. |
| - | \\ | + | * Connect a computer with Ethernet to a LAN port on the Wi-Fi extender and log into LuCI web UI at 192.168.1.1 (default address) |
| - | As shown in the above image, the **LAN** interface must be set in a different subnet than the Wi-Fi network you are connecting to. | + | * (Optional) Update the firmware of the Wi-Fi extender to the current release. |
| - | + | * On **System -> Backup/Flash Firmware**, click **Perform reset** to return to default | |
| - | /*** | + | * Go to **Network -> Interfaces**, |
| - | < | + | * Set **LAN protocol** |
| - | ***/ | + | * Assign an IP address |
| - | + | ||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image | + | |
| - | \\ {{ : | + | |
| - | ***/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * Do NOT wire the router to your main router. | + | |
| - | * Reset the router | + | |
| - | * Connect a computer | + | |
| - | * Set **LAN protocol** | + | |
| - | * Assign an IP address | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | \\ {{media: | + | |
| * Click **Save and Apply**. | * Click **Save and Apply**. | ||
| + | |||
| + | \\ {{media: | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| * Reconnect to router at its new IP address (eg. 192.168.2.1) | * Reconnect to router at its new IP address (eg. 192.168.2.1) | ||
| - | * Disable DHCP for the **LAN** interface as shown below (Otherwise, it does prevent | + | * From **Network -> Interfaces**, |
| - | * < | + | |
| + | * On the **General Settings** tab, check the " | ||
| + | * On the **IPv6 Settings** tab, choose " | ||
| + | * See images below | ||
| + | * Click **Save**. | ||
| + | * Click **Save and Apply**. | ||
| + | | ||
| + | (e.g., 192.168.2.10) and default gateway (e.g., 192.168.2.1), | ||
| + | then connect again to the Wi-Fi extender via Ethernet. | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| Line 83: | Line 76: | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | * Click **Save and Apply**. | + | ==== Configure Wi-Fi Interface ==== |
| - | ---- | + | |
| - | \\ | + | To configure the Wi-Fi connection to the main router. |
| - | * Set your PC's ethernet port with a static IP 192.168.2.10 and default gateway 192.168.2.1, | + | * Keep your PC connected |
| - | \\ | + | * Navigate to the **Network -> Wireless** page |
| - | When you finish all of the following steps, remember | + | * Choose a radio to connect |
| + | * Click on **Scan** button for that radio. | ||
| - | \\ | + | \\ {{media: |
| - | \\ | + | |
| + | * From the list of SSIDs found in the scan, choose the Wi-Fi SSID from the main router and click **Join Network**. | ||
| - | ---- | + | \\ {{media: |
| - | + | ||
| - | === Wi-Fi === | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | We will now set up the client Wi-Fi network, the configuration needed to connect to another Wi-Fi network.\\ | + | |
| - | * Disconnect any ethernet cable between this router and the main router | + | |
| - | * Navigate to the wireless networks page, and click on **Scan** button for the desired radio.\\ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image | + | |
| - | \\ {{ : | + | |
| - | ***/ | + | |
| - | \\ {{media: | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | * Choose the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to from the page and click **Join Network**.\\ | + | |
| - | \\ {{media: | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | /*** | + | |
| - | \\ {{ :docs:guide-user: | + | * Set the "Name of new network" |
| - | ***/ | + | * Enter any Wi-Fi credentials such as WPA passphrase |
| + | * Select **lan** firewall zone. | ||
| + | * Click **Save**. | ||
| + | * Click **Save & Apply**. | ||
| - | * Enter the Wi-Fi password, leave the "name of new network" | ||
| - | * Click **Save**. | ||
| - | * Click **Save & Apply**.\\ | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image | ||
| - | \\ {{ : | ||
| - | ***/ | ||
| - | You will land in the client Wi-Fi settings page. Edit as required.\\ | + | You will see the client Wi-Fi settings page (image below). Edit as required. |
| - | The most important settings are on the **Operating Frequency** line.\\ | + | The most important settings are on the **Operating Frequency** line. |
| + | |||
| * Set the **Mode** to **Legacy** if you are connecting to a Wi-Fi g network, or **N** if you are connecting to a Wi-Fi n (and so on).\\ | * Set the **Mode** to **Legacy** if you are connecting to a Wi-Fi g network, or **N** if you are connecting to a Wi-Fi n (and so on).\\ | ||
| - | * Set the **Width** to the same value that you set on the Wi-Fi you are connecting to (to avoid bottlenecking | + | * Set the **Width** to the same channel width as the main router |
| - | * Do **NOT** change the wifi channel number ! | + | * Keep the same Wi-Fi channel number. The extender must match the main router. |
| - | \\ | + | * Click **Save** when finished. |
| - | \\ | + | |
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | | + | ==== Remove redundant WAN interface and firewall zones ==== |
| - | * Click **Save & Apply**. \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | Although it's optional, it is recommended to delete the redundant WAN interfaces and firewall zones. |
| - | \\ | + | |
| + | | ||
| + | * Delete both '' | ||
| + | * Go to **Network > Firewall** (image below) | ||
| + | * Delete the '' | ||
| + | * Click **Save & Apply** | ||
| - | ---- | + | **Note:** These actions will also automatically remove any redundant firewall traffic and port forwarding rules. |
| - | === Removing redundant WAN interface and firewall zones (Optional) === | ||
| - | |||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | Although not absolutely necessary, it is recommended to delete the redundant WAN interfaces and firewall zones. \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | * Go to Network Interfaces: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | |||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | * Go to Network Firewall: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | + | ==== Add static IP on wwan ==== |
| - | Click **Save & Apply** button. \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | It is recommended to assign a static IP address to newly created wwan interface. |
| - | **<color # | + | This should be in the same subnet as the main router' |
| - | \\ | + | You can then manage the router using this static IP address. |
| - | \\ | + | This static IP address |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | ---- | + | * Go to **Network |
| - | + | * Click **Edit** for the '' | |
| - | === Configure static IP address on wwan interface === | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | It is recommended to assign a static IP address to newly created wwan interface. | + | |
| - | The main advantage is it will be possible to manage | + | |
| - | This static IP address will also be used later when creating the Relay interface. \\ | + | |
| - | * Go to Network Interfaces menu and click **Edit** | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | ---- | + | * On the **General Settings** tab, change the protocol to ' |
| + | * Enter an IP address from the main router' | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | * Change the protocol to ' | ||
| - | * Enter valid IP address (eg. 192.168.1.30), | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | * Press **Save** | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | ---- | + | * On the **Advanced Settings** tab (image below) |
| + | * Set **Use custom DNS Servers** to the IP address of the main router (e.g., 192.168.1.1). | ||
| + | * Press **Save** | ||
| + | * Press **Save & Apply** | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | * Enter DNS server IP address (eg. LAN IP address of your main wifi router) | ||
| - | * Click on green + button. | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | + | ==== Test Connection ==== |
| - | * Press **Save** | + | |
| - | * Press **Save & Apply**. | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | ---- | + | At this point, the Wi-Fi extender should be wirelessly connected to the main router. |
| - | + | To verify the the connection: | |
| - | === Testing Connection === | + | * Go to **Network |
| - | + | * Perform | |
| - | \\ | + | * A few moments later, you should see ping results if the main router is connected to the internet. |
| - | To verify the newly configured static IP address parameters are valid, \\ | + | * |
| - | * Go to Network Diagnostics | + | |
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | ---- | + | ==== Install relayd package ==== |
| - | === Installing relayd package === | + | * Go to **System -> Software**. |
| + | * Click **Update List** button. If the Wi-Fi extender is connected to the main router, and that is connected to the internet, a few moments later, the results of the update appears. | ||
| + | * Enter **luci-proto-relay** into the Filter box (image below), and click **Install**. | ||
| + | * When that completes, reboot the router from **System -> Reboot** (image below). | ||
| - | \\ | + | \\ {{media: |
| - | * Go to System Software page. | + | |
| - | * Click **Update List** button. | + | |
| - | * Enter **luci-proto-relay** into the Filter box, and click Install. | + | |
| - | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | * **Important: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | ---- | + | ==== Create Relay Interface ==== |
| - | + | Add the '' | |
| - | \\ | + | * Go to **Network -> Interfaces** |
| - | + | * Click on **Add New Interface** | |
| - | === Creating Relay Interface === | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | To add the relayd interface that will join/bridge the **lan** and **wwan** interfaces.\\ | + | |
| - | * Go in the **Interfaces** | + | |
| - | * Click on **Add New Interface**. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 | + | |
| - | \\ {{ : | + | |
| - | ***/ | + | |
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | ---- | + | * In the **Add new interface** window (image below) |
| - | \\ | + | * Enter a name (" |
| - | \\ | + | * Select |
| - | | + | |
| * Click **Create Interface** | * Click **Create Interface** | ||
| + | |||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | ---- | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | * Enter the IP address assigned to the '' |
| - | | + | * Select both **lan** and **wwan** in the **Relay between networks** list. |
| - | * Select both **lan** and **wwan** in the **Relay between networks** list. | + | |
| - | \\ {{media: | + | |
| * Click **Save**. | * Click **Save**. | ||
| * Click **Save & Apply**. | * Click **Save & Apply**. | ||
| + | * After you have completed above steps, reboot the router. | ||
| - | \\ | + | \\ {{media: |
| - | \\ | + | |
| + | ==== Enable the AP ==== | ||
| + | Enable and configure the Wi-Fi extender to be an access point for local devices. | ||
| + | * Go to **Network -> Wireless** | ||
| + | * Click **Edit** button for any item with **Mode: Master**. (Don't edit your Client connection to the main router.) | ||
| + | * In the Interface Configuration section, configure SSID, security and other parameters of your Wi-Fi extender so it can act like an access point. | ||
| + | * If you are configuring the same radio that also serves as the client connection to the main router, ensure the **Operating frequency** matches the Client network. | ||
| + | * Click **Save** | ||
| + | * **Enable** the wireless network. | ||
| + | * You might edit/enable other radios (for example, enabling both the b/g/n and n/ | ||
| + | * Click **Save & Apply**. | ||
| - | ---- | + | ==== You're Done - More Testing ==== |
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image | + | |
| - | \\ {{ : | + | |
| - | **/ | + | |
| + | After configuring the Wi-Fi extender' | ||
| + | and connect to the newly-configured Wi-Fi. | ||
| + | Your computer should be fully on the internet, having acquired a DHCP IP address from your main router. | ||
| + | The Wi-Fi extender can be managed through its static '' | ||
| - | /*** | + | The **Status -> Overview** window (image below) shows the final result. |
| - | < | + | '' |
| + | '' | ||
| + | The client Wi-Fi has a ? in the **Host** column instead | ||
| + | because its '' | ||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | |||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | < | ||
| - | |||
| - | ***/ | ||
| - | |||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image. Redundant. | ||
| - | \\ {{ : | ||
| - | ***/ | ||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | |||
| - | ---- | ||
| - | |||
| - | * After you have completed above steps, reboot the router. | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | **<color # | ||
| - | |||
| - | When the Wifi bridge is powered up, your computer should acquire DHCP IP address from your main router. \\ | ||
| - | The Wifi bridge can be managed through its static wwan IP address (eg. 192.168.1.30) \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | \\ | ||
| - | This is the final result. Note how the client network has a ? instead of a IP address. \\ | ||
| - | The wwan IP address is only visible in the Network Interfaces page.\\ | ||
| - | |||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image | ||
| - | \\ {{ : | ||
| - | ***/ | ||
| \\ {{media: | \\ {{media: | ||
| - | \\ | + | ===== Setup with CLI ===== |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | === Enable the AP === | + | |
| - | Enable and configure the AP of the repeater. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | * Navigate to the wireless networks page | + | |
| - | * Click **Edit** button for the network with "Mode: Master" | + | |
| - | * **Enable** the wireless network in the Interface Configuration and make sure the **Operating frequency** matches your upstream router (the settings must be the same as for the Client network). | + | |
| - | * In the Interface Configuration section, configure SSID, security and other parameters of your repeater AP. | + | |
| - | * Click Save and Save & Apply. | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | === Check Firewall zone settings === | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | :!: The following part of the configuration should not be necessary (already default options or changed automatically), | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
| - | /*** old LEDE17 image | + | |
| - | \\ {{ : | + | |
| - | ***/ | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | \\ {{media: | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | ---- | + | |
| - | \\ {{media: | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | \\ | + | |
| - | /*** redundant instructions | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Under the **Network** tab, click on the **Firewall** tab. Under **Zones**, change the forwarding for **lan** and **wwan** to **accept** | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ---- | + | |
| - | :!: if you are doing this with a device that has a single radio, both Wi-Fi networks will stay on the same channel, and total bandwidth will be halved as the same radio is used for 2 different Wi-Fi networks. | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | ***/ | + | |
| - | ==== Setup with CLI ==== | + | |
| Before doing any actual configuration, | Before doing any actual configuration, | ||
| Line 460: | Line 330: | ||
| You will likely want to set up your device' | You will likely want to set up your device' | ||
| - | ==== Accessing the OpenWrt device | + | ===== Troubleshooting ===== |
| - | If you find the OpenWrt device | + | ==== Accessing the Extender |
| + | If you find the Wi-Fi extender | ||
| (The alternative is tedious: It is possible to access the OpenWrt box via its '' | (The alternative is tedious: It is possible to access the OpenWrt box via its '' | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==== Check Firewall zones ==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | :!: The following part of the configuration should not be necessary (already default options or changed automatically), | ||
| + | |||
| + | \\ {{media: | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | ---- | ||
| + | \\ {{media: | ||
| ==== Adding IPv6 support ==== | ==== Adding IPv6 support ==== | ||
| Line 499: | Line 379: | ||
| - IPv6 on macOS 10.15+ does not work with a ULA prefix set on LAN [[https:// | - IPv6 on macOS 10.15+ does not work with a ULA prefix set on LAN [[https:// | ||
| - | ===== Using NAT ===== | + | ==== Using NAT ==== |
| **<color # | **<color # | ||