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| docs:guide-user:network:wifi:wifiextenders:wds [2024/06/24 05:17] – created bluewavenet | docs:guide-user:network:wifi:wifiextenders:wds [2024/08/31 18:34] – rewrote intro with ChatGPT richardkiss |
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| ====== Wireless Repeater/Extender with WDS ====== | ====== Wi-Fi Extender/Repeater with WDS ====== |
| | This network setup features a wireless access point and a wireless repeater. The access point connects to the main network via a wired connection and provides internet access. The repeater connects wirelessly to the access point as a client device, creating a point-to-point link that extends network and internet access to any devices connected to the repeater, whether wireless or wired. This configuration is ideal for extending Wi-Fi coverage in your area. |
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| 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. | //**Note**//: This wiki article was originally located [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:atheroswds|at this location.]] You can view the original contribution history [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:atheroswds?do=revisions|here]]. |
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| 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 setup described in this article establishes a backhaul link at layer 2 of the OSI model, allowing all broadcast packets, such as DHCP requests, to be transmitted in both directions over the link. The original MAC addresses of devices on both sides are preserved across the bridge. |
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| 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. | Devices connected to both the access point and the repeater will share the same subnet, enabling visibility between them and facilitating the use of protocols like Zeroconf. Both the access point and the repeater remain accessible over the network. |
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| Two wireless protocols can be used to achieve this, "WDS" and "802.11s-mesh" | Two wireless protocols can be used to achieve this: WDS and 802.11s mesh. |
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| This document will describe the use of WDS. | This document focuses on WDS. For 802.11s mesh, refer to [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:mesh:80211s]]. |
| For 802.11s mesh see: [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:mesh:80211s]] | |
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| 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. | WDS (Wireless Distribution System) is required to create a network connection over a wireless link between the access point and the repeater. Although the IEEE 802.11-1999 standard defines WDS as a mechanism using a 4-address format, it does not specify implementation details, leading to potential issues when using WDS between devices from different chipset or firmware vendors. Therefore, **it is recommended to use OpenWrt on both the access point and repeater** to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. Most wireless drivers in OpenWrt support WDS mode. |
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| 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]] | |
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| | If WDS or 802.11s mesh is not an option due to access point limitations, consider using [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:relay_configuration|Relayd - Wireless Repeater/Extender]] or a [[:docs:guide-user:network:wifi:connect_client_wifi|simple wireless client]]. |
| ===== Configuration ===== | ===== Configuration ===== |
| * Tested with OpenWrt 12.09 using a TP-Link TL-WR1043ND as the upstream wireless access point and a Rosewill RNX-N300RT as the repeater. | * Tested with OpenWrt 12.09 using a TP-Link TL-WR1043ND as the upstream wireless access point and a Rosewill RNX-N300RT as the repeater. |