How to connect WRT54G to WAP54G in repeater mode? 1

[alan232]

Hi,

The instructions on how to get a WAP54G to work as a wireless repeater for a WAP54G simply do not work. I have the newest WAP54G firmware and the newest WRT54G firmware. Using hyperWRT did not help either. I have set both to the same default SSID, using default channel 6, default ip addresses, and copied the WRT54G mac address into the WAP54G field for wireless repeating. When I disconnect the hard wire ethernet connection between the WRT54G and the WAP54G, the yellow link light on the WAP54G goes out and no signal is repeated. What am I doing wrong?

Thank you for any help!
Alan

 

[bcastner]

The most common mistake is to forget that the WRT54G has three MAC addresses: for itself, for its wired LAN, and for its wireless LAN. Only the last is used in your application. (You have to view it in firmware, it is not on the printed label).

 

[alan232]

Hi,

You are 100% correct! When using both the WAP54G and the WRT54G for a PDA in Wi-Fi mode, is there a 'best' channel? Do the SSID's have to be the same? I'm trying to use the internet via my PDA. It seems that Internet Explorer requires the WRT54G to assign an IP address to the PDA to work --it does not seem to work when I manually assign an unused IP address. Hence, I seem to need to go through the WAP54G in repeater mode to reach the WRT54G and have it come back with a DHCP assigned IP. Yet the WAP54G seems to require the PDA to be already assigned an IP before I can connect to it--the WAP54G. This makes roaming on the PDA very difficult since it seems I have to start at a location the WRT54G can reach without using the WAP54G. (If you followed this, you deserve a medal.)

Thanks again for any help,
Alan

 

[bcastner]

For any roaming setup:

. SSIDs the same
. WEP/WPA the same
. Different channels -- except in this repeater instance

I am not certain why a valid static IP outside of the DHCP scope of the router should matter. Just be sure that the Gateway assignment is the IP of the WRT54G.

 

[alan232]

Hi,

Thanks. I will try (experiment). Let you know how it goes. Oh, I was assigning a static IP WITHIN the DHCP scope of the router--I haven't tried it outside the scope--yet.

Thanks again,
Alan

 

[sysadmin42]

I'm having the same problem. Did you ever get this to work? If so, how?

 

[alan232]

Hi sysadmin42;

Yes. It does work. Actually, it works very well. Unfortunately, it has been several months since I fooled with it--so I have forgotten many of the details. I can assure you though, once you get it set up, you will probably want to leave it alone. (I put mine in my bookcase and don't touch it.) However, if memory serves, I remember that the posts from bcastner were dead on. The other things not mentioned was that I used my computer directly connected to the access point to set it up and that I avoided all complications with encryption. Also, you must pay attention to the WIRELESS ip address on the router--(the administration displays were initially a bit confusing). One last point that comes to mind, it takes about a minute for the access point and the router to reset when using the reset buttons--which I had to do often before it worked.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help at this time. I will say though, once you get it working it is well worth it.
Alan