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docs:guide-user:network:wifi:relay_configuration [2024/06/22 02:52] – [Wireless Repeater/Extender with Relayd] richb-hanoverdocs:guide-user:network:wifi:relay_configuration [2024/06/22 06:26] – Final editorial pass richb-hanover
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 or [[docs:guide-user:network:wifi:mesh:80211s|802.11s Mesh Networking]]. or [[docs:guide-user:network:wifi:mesh:80211s|802.11s Mesh Networking]].
 You may also wish to consider using an alternate [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:connect_client_wifi|simple wireless client]] where bridged network is not required. You may also wish to consider using an alternate [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:connect_client_wifi|simple wireless client]] where bridged network is not required.
 +
 +There is a Youtube video that shows substantially the same procedure as described below:
 +https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bfmx5NjIWLQ
  
 The image below shows the normal configuration. The image below shows the normal configuration.
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 Alternatively, you can also choose to have a different SSID name/encryption/password on the Wi-Fi extender. Alternatively, you can also choose to have a different SSID name/encryption/password on the Wi-Fi extender.
    
-This process has been tested with OpenWrt 23.05.3 +This procedure has been tested with OpenWrt 23.05.3 
  
  
 ===== Setup with LuCI Web GUI ===== ===== Setup with LuCI Web GUI =====
  
- +==== Configure LAN Interface ====
-==== LAN Interface Config ====+
 The **LAN** interface of the Wi-Fi extender must be set in a different subnet than the main router. The **LAN** interface of the Wi-Fi extender must be set in a different subnet than the main router.
  
   * Remove any wired connections between your Wi-Fi extender and your main router.   * Remove any wired connections between your Wi-Fi extender and your main router.
-  * Connect a computer to a LAN port and log into LuCI web UI at 192.168.1.1 (default address)+  * 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)
   * (Optional) Update the firmware of the Wi-Fi extender to the current release.   * (Optional) Update the firmware of the Wi-Fi extender to the current release.
-  * Reset the Wi-Fi extender to return to default OpenWrt settings.+  * On **System -> Backup/Flash Firmware**, click **Perform reset** to return to default OpenWrt settings.
   * Go to **Network -> Interfaces**, click **Edit** for the LAN interface   * Go to **Network -> Interfaces**, click **Edit** for the LAN interface
   * Set **LAN protocol** to **static address**, click **Change protocol**   * Set **LAN protocol** to **static address**, click **Change protocol**
-  * Assign an IP address using the "Wi-Fi extender subnet" (e.g. 192.168.2.1). Click **Save**.+  * Assign an IP address using the "Wi-Fi extender subnet" (e.g. 192.168.2.1 - see image below). Click **Save**. 
 +  * Click **Save and Apply**.
  
 \\  {{media:docs:howto:relay_lan_changeip.jpg?400|}} \\ \\  {{media:docs:howto:relay_lan_changeip.jpg?400|}} \\
- 
-  * Click **Save and Apply**. 
  
 ---- ----
  
   * 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 (Otherwiseit does prevent **relayd** from working)  Click **Save**. +  * From **Network -> Interfaces**, click **Edit** for the LAN interface 
-  * <del>(May be required in certain case)</del> <del>set</del> **<del>Gateway address</del>** <del>and</del> **<del>Use custom DNS servers</del>*<del>using IP address of the primary router (e.g. 192.168.1.1)</del> +  Click the **DHCP Server** tab and disable DHCPIPv6 RA-Service, and DHCP-v6 Service. To do this: 
 +     On the **General Settings** tab, check the "Ignore interface" box to disable DHCP for the interface. 
 +     * On the **IPv6 Settings** tab, choose "disabled" for **RA-Service** and **DHCP-v6 Service** 
 +     * See images below 
 +  * Click **Save**. 
 +  * Click **Save and Apply**
 +  Finally, set your PC's Ethernet port to use a static IP in the Wi-Fi extender subnet 
 +(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:docs:howto:relay_lan_disableDHCP.jpg?400|}} \\  \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_lan_disableDHCP.jpg?400|}} \\ 
Line 67: Line 76:
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_lan_disableIPv6.jpg?400|}} \\  \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_lan_disableIPv6.jpg?400|}} \\ 
  
- * 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, then connect again to the router ethernet\\  +  * Keep your PC connected to the Wi-Fi extender via Ethernet. Remove any other physical connections
-\\  +  * Navigate to the **Network -> Wireless** page 
-When you finish all of the following steps, remember to reset your PC's IP address back to the original address (or DHCP)otherwise you won'have Internet access!  (note: The router won't route traffic from the 192.168.2.0/24 subnet)+  * Choose a radio to connect to the main router. Typically this should be a b/g/n radiosince they have longer range than 5GHz radios 
 +  * Click on **Scan** button for that radio.
  
-\\  +\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_1.jpg?800|}} \\  
-\\ +  
 +  * From the list of SSIDs found in the scan, choose the Wi-Fi SSID from the main router and click **Join Network**.
  
----- +\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_2.jpg?800|}} \\   
- +
-==== Wi-Fi Config ==== +
- +
-\\  +
-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 +
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_joinnetwork_wifi_scan.png |}} \\  +
-***/ +
-\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_1.jpg?800|}} \\  +
-\\   +
-\\   +
-  * Choose the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to from the page and click **Join Network**.\\  +
-\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_2.jpg?800|}} \\  +
-\\   +
-\\  +
  
 ---- ----
  
-/*** +  You'll see the "Joining Network" pane (image below)
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_joinnetwork_settings.png |}} \\  +     Set the "Name of new network" to "wwan" 
-***/ +     * Enter any Wi-Fi credentials such as WPA passphrase 
- +     * Select **lan** firewall zone. 
-  * Enter the Wi-Fi password, leave the "name of new network" as "wwan" and select **lan** firewall zone. +
   * Click **Save**.   * Click **Save**.
-  * Click **Save & Apply**.\\+  * Click **Save & Apply**. 
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_3.jpg?600|}} \\  \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_3.jpg?600|}} \\ 
-\\  
-\\  
  
 ---- ----
-/*** old LEDE17 image 
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_clientwifi_settings.png |}} \\  
-***/ 
  
-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 the connection for no reason)+  * 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.  
-\\  +  * Click **Save & Apply**.  
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_5.jpg?550|}} \\  \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_join_wifi_5.jpg?550|}} \\ 
-  Click **Save** when finished. \\   +==== 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.  
-\\  +  
 +  Go to **Network -> Interfaces** (image below) 
 +  * Delete both ''WAN'' and ''WAN6'' 
 +  * Go to **Network > Firewall** (image below) 
 +  * Delete the ''wan'' rule 
 +  * Click **Save & Apply** 
  
-----+**Note:** These actions will also automatically remove any redundant firewall traffic and port forwarding rules.
  
-==== Remove redundant WAN interface and firewall zones ==== 
- 
-\\  
-\\   
-Although not absolutely necessary, it is recommended to delete the redundant WAN interfaces and firewall zones. \\  
-\\  
-  * Go to Network Interfaces:  
-\\  
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wan_delete.jpg?800|}} \\  \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wan_delete.jpg?800|}} \\ 
-\\  
- 
----- 
  
-\\  
-  * Go to Network Firewall:   
-\\ 
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_firewall_delete_wan.jpg?800|}} \\  \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_firewall_delete_wan.jpg?800|}} \\ 
-\\  +==== Add static IP on wwan ==== 
-Click **Save & Apply** button\\  +   
-\\   +It is recommended to assign a static IP address to newly created wwan interface.  
-**<color #ed1c24>Warning:</color>** These actions will also automatically remove any redundant firewall traffic and port forwarding rules. +This should be in the same subnet as the main router's LAN (eg. 192.168.1.30). 
-\\  +You can then manage the router using this static IP address. 
-\\   +This static IP address will also be used later when creating the Relay interface.  
-\\  +
-\\ +
  
----- +  * Go to **Network -> Interfaces** (image below
- +  * Click **Edit** for the ''wwan'' interface
-==== Config static IP on wwan ==== +
- +
-\\   +
-It is recommended to assign a static IP address to newly created wwan interface. (eg. 192.168.1.30\\  +
-The main advantage is it will be possible to manage the router using this static IP address. +
-This static IP address will also be used later when creating the Relay interface. \\  +
  
-  * Go to Network Interfaces menu and click **Edit**  
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wwan_static_1.jpg?800|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wwan_static_1.jpg?800|}} \\
  
-----+  * On the **General Settings** tab, change the protocol to 'Static Address' (image below) 
 +  * Enter an IP address from the main router's LAN subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.30); a subnet mask (e.g., 255.255.255.0); and a gateway IP address, usually the LAN IP address of your main router (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
  
-\\   
-  * Change the protocol to 'Static Address' 
-  * Enter valid IP address (eg. 192.168.1.30), subnet mask (eg. 255.255.255.0), and gateway IP address (This is usually the LAN IP address of your main wifi router eg. 192.168.1.1) 
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wwan_static_2.jpg?500|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wwan_static_2.jpg?500|}} \\
-\\   
-  * 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:docs:howto:relay_wwan_statis_3.jpg?500|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_wwan_statis_3.jpg?500|}} \\
-\\   +==== 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 -> Diagnostics** 
- +  * Perform a ping test by clicking the "IPv4 Ping" button. 
-\\ +  * 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 and perform a ping test.  It is assumed the main router is connected to the internet.+
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_network_test.jpg?500|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_network_test.jpg?500|}} \\
-\\  
-\\   
- 
----- 
  
 ==== Install relayd package ==== ==== Install relayd package ====
  
-\\ +  * Go to **System -> Software**
-  * Go to System Software page+  * 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
-  * Click **Update List** button. +  * Enter **luci-proto-relay** into the Filter box (image below), and click **Install**. 
-  * Enter **luci-proto-relay** into the Filter box, and click Install.+  * When that completes, reboot the router from **System -> Reboot** (image below).
  
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_package_1.jpg?800|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_package_1.jpg?800|}} \\
-\\  +
-  * **Important:** Reboot the router. +
-\\ +
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_package_2.jpg?400|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_package_2.jpg?400|}} \\
-\\  
-\\   
- 
----- 
- 
- 
-\\   
  
 ==== Create Relay Interface ==== ==== Create Relay Interface ====
  
-\\  +Add the ''relayd'' interface that will join/bridge the **lan** and **wwan** interfaces. To do this: 
-To add the relayd interface that will join/bridge the **lan** and **wwan** interfaces.\\ +  * Go to **Network -> Interfaces** 
-  * Go in the **Interfaces** page. +  * Click on **Add New Interface** (image below)
-  * Click on **Add New Interface**+
- +
-/*** old LEDE17 image +
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_newinterface.png |}} \\  +
-***/+
  
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_create_bridge_3.jpg?500|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_create_bridge_3.jpg?500|}} \\
----- +  * In the **Add new interface** window (image below) 
-\\   +    * Enter a name ("repeater_bridge" is a good choice) 
-\\   +    * Select **Relay bridge** protocol as shown below. (Reboot your device if the **Relay bridge** option fails to appears.) 
-  * Enter a name and select **Relay bridge** protocol as shown below. (Reboot your device if the **Relay bridge** option fails to appears.) +
   * Click **Create Interface**      * Click **Create Interface**   
 +
 \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_create_bridge_1.jpg?900|}} \\ \\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_create_bridge_1.jpg?900|}} \\
----- + 
-\\   +  * In **Network -> Interfaces**, click **Edit** for the new "repeater_bridge" interface (image below) 
-\\   +    * Enter the IP address assigned to the ''wwan'' interface. (eg. 192.168.1.30)  
-  * Enter the IP address assigned to the WWAN interface. (eg. 192.168.1.30)  +    * Select both **lan** and **wwan** in the **Relay between networks** list.
-  * Select both **lan** and **wwan** in the **Relay between networks** list. +
-\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_create_bridge_2.jpg?500|}} \\+
   * Click **Save**.   * Click **Save**.
   * Click **Save & Apply**.   * Click **Save & Apply**.
- 
-\\   
-\\   
- 
- 
- 
----- 
-/*** old LEDE17 image 
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_relaybridge1.png |}} \\  
-**/ 
- 
- 
-/***  redundant 
-<del>This "Local IPv4 address" (empty in above screen shot, sorry, I don't have enough rights to upload a new screen shot) needs to match the IP address assigned by the Wifi-network (eg. from 192.168.1.0/24 range, but do not enter the netmask here!) otherwise this bridge will not be accessible from the clients connected directly to the primary router and the relayd-daemon will not start. It makes sense to either fix the IP in the DHCP servers MAC-IP mapping table or configure then WWAN interface of OpenWRT to a fix IP which is not being used in Wifi-networks DHCP-range (I used 192.168.1.2, as my DHCP server only serves IP addresses higher than 192.168.1.100).</del> 
- 
----- 
- 
----- 
-<del>Move to the Firewall tab of this interface settings page and select</del> **<del>lan</del>**<del>. Click on</del> **<del>Save and Apply</del>**. 
- 
-***/ 
- 
-/*** old LEDE17 image. Redundant. 
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_relaybridge2.png |}} \\  
-***/ 
- 
- 
----- 
- 
----- 
- 
   * After you have completed above steps, reboot the router.    * After you have completed above steps, reboot the router. 
-\\   
-**<color #ed1c24>Reminder:</color>**  Remove the static IP address from your computer. ie. change it back to DHCP client mode. \\   
  
-When the Wifi bridge is powered up, your computer should acquire DHCP IP address from your main router. \\  +\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_create_bridge_2.jpg?500|}} \\
-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 +
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_final_result.png |}} \\  +
-***/ +
-\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_status_1.jpg?800|}} \\ +
- +
-\\   +
-\\  +
  
 ==== Enable the AP ==== ==== Enable the AP ====
 Enable and configure the Wi-Fi extender to be an access point for local devices. Enable and configure the Wi-Fi extender to be an access point for local devices.
  
-  * Navigate to the wireless networks page +  * Go to **Network -> Wireless** 
-  * Click **Edit** button for the network with "Mode: Master+  * Click **Edit** button for any item with **Mode: Master**. (Don't edit your Client connection to the main router.) 
-  * **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 Wi-Fi extender so it can act like an access point.  
-  * In the Interface Configuration sectionconfigure SSID, security and other parameters of your repeater AP+    * 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 and Save & Apply. +    * Click **Save** 
-\\+  * **Enable** the wireless network. 
 +  * You might edit/enable other radios (for exampleenabling both the b/g/n and n/ac/ax/etcradios) 
 +  * Click **Save & Apply**.
  
-==== Check Firewall zone settings ====+==== You're Done - More Testing ====
  
-:!: The following part of the configuration should not be necessary (already default options or changed automatically)in case something isn't working check this too+After configuring the Wi-Fi extender's AP, change your computer back to DHCP client mode 
 +and connect to the newly-configured Wi-Fi. 
 +Your computer should be fully on the internethaving acquired a DHCP IP address from your main router.  
 +The Wi-Fi extender can be managed through its static ''wwan'' IP address (eg192.168.1.30) 
  
 +The **Status -> Overview** window (image below) shows the final result.
 +''radio1'' is a DHCP client to the main router.
 +''radio0'' (the access point) has not been configured/enabled yet. 
 +The client Wi-Fi has a ? in the **Host** column instead of a IP address 
 +because its ''wwan'' IP address is only visible in the Network Interfaces page.  
  
-/*** old LEDE17 image +\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_status_1.jpg?800|}} \\
-\\ {{ :docs:guide-user:wifirepeater_firewall.png |}} \\  +
-***/+
  
-\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_firewallzone_checkLAN.jpg?800|}} \\ 
-\\   
----- 
-\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_firewallzone_checkLAN_2.jpg?400|}} \\ 
- 
-\\   
-\\   
-/*** 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 ===== ===== Setup with CLI =====
  
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 ===== Troubleshooting ===== ===== Troubleshooting =====
-==== Accessing the OpenWrt device ==== +==== Accessing the Extender ==== 
-If you find the OpenWrt device itself is only accessible from those computers directly connected to the W-LAN AP, not from the ones connected to the OpenWrt W-LAN client, when in the 192.168.1.0 subnet, Make sure the ''Local IPv4 address'' setting in the ''Relay bridge'' interface matches the ip address of the wireless uplink.+If you find the Wi-Fi extender itself is only accessible from those computers directly connected to the W-LAN AP, not from the ones connected to the OpenWrt W-LAN client, when in the 192.168.1.0 subnet, Make sure the ''Local IPv4 address'' setting in the ''Relay bridge'' interface matches the ip address of the wireless uplink.
 (The alternative is tedious: It is possible to access the OpenWrt box via its ''192.168.2.1'' address if you manually configure your computer to that subnet.) (The alternative is tedious: It is possible to access the OpenWrt box via its ''192.168.2.1'' address if you manually configure your computer to that subnet.)
 +
 +==== Check Firewall zones ====
 +
 +:!: The following part of the configuration should not be necessary (already default options or changed automatically), in case something isn't working check this too. 
 +
 +\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_firewallzone_checkLAN.jpg?800|}} \\
 +\\  
 +----
 +\\ {{media:docs:howto:relay_firewallzone_checkLAN_2.jpg?400|}} \\
  
 ==== Adding IPv6 support ==== ==== Adding IPv6 support ====
  • Last modified: 2024/08/31 18:25
  • by richardkiss