[satand]

hello,

i have an issue with my network connection. the hardware and IP setup is as shown in the attached picture.

apartment 1 has an internet connection and shares this internet connection with apartment 2 through a WIFI-bridge. all devices are in the same network. the setup basically works. the internet connection in apartment 1 works perfektly. BUT i'm experiencing occasionally a few drops of the internet connection in apartment 2 as a client of the NETGEAR 7000. when this happens, all clients in apartment 2 are losing the connection. windows states "connected, no internet connection". i have already tried an other router instead of the NETGEAR 7000 but the problem still exists.

do you have an idea what could cause the problem? many thanks in advance!

[Alozaros]

those type of client mode over WiFi connections are not very reliable, as they work in half duplex mode...and cannot sustain a heavy load...

if possible try WDS instead.. https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linking_Routers

also you didnt mention any firmware you are on, but if yo use forwarder, than you must be using very old firmware as this mode was removed...so you must update to a newer firmware, or one that has no issues with WDS or client mode...

do not use DHCP forwarder use WAP mode..

more to read
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Wireless_access_point

last thing is to replace the Gateway router with R7000 as it has more power...

[satand]

Alozaros,

thanks for your quick reply.

usually, when the connection drops, the load is very low (less than 10 Mbit). When updating games via battle.net there is a load of ~60 MBit and this works pretty well. So I assume that it is not a load issue.

the firmware versions are:
192.168.0.2: DD-WRT v3.0-r34929M std (02/12/18 )
192.168.0.3: DD-WRT v3.0-r34929M std (02/12/18 )
192.168.0.4: DD-WRT v3.0-r46177 std (03/26/21)

updates recommended?

turing DHCP forwarder off does not change anything. in both ways the clients in apartment two are getting the DHCP address from the gateway router. the R7000 is working as a WAP. the gateway router has usually a low load as well (1 netflix client, no more).

could it solve the issue if i set up the 192.168.0.2 as WDS AP and 192.168.0.3 as WDS Station?

[egc]

DHCP should be off instead of Forwarder (but that is not your main problem)

Client bridge is not very reliable, a better choice is WDS station if your routers support it or Client mode (on separate networks)
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Linking_Routers

Latest build is 46885, see forum guidelines how to research and where to download:
To get the best out of DDWRT and the forum read the forum guidelines with helpful pointers:
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087

[kernel-panic69]

1) You do not need to set the gateway on your router that is connected to the modem, leave it at quad zero.
2) Why are you not using the R7000 for your main router?
3) Your TL-WA7510s are grossly underpowered for providing a reliable wireless ethernet bridge; 5GHz band is not always that reliable, dependent on distance and walls in between flats / apartments.
4) You'd probably have better luck using the R7000 as the main router, and TL-WR841N as client bridged to the 2.4 band on your R7000; then use the TL-WA7510s as wired APs.
5) WDS is likely the best option, but you're still limited by 5GHz IMHO.

[satand]

@kernel-panic69

1) ok, will change that.
2) there is very low traffic in apartment 1. usually one or two clients and one of the is using netflix. no more. the traffic within apartment 2 is much higher.
3) the TL-WA7510 bridge is meant to provide internet connection in apartment 2 only. in apartment 2 are 90 MBit available. the TL-WA7510s seem to be capable of ~60 MBit in bridge mode. that would basically be enough. the our both mounted outdoor. the distance is just 10m and there are no walls or other obstacles in between (direct visual contact). but it is not possible to install a ethernet cable instead of the wireless bridge.
4) the TL-WR841N and the R7000 do not reach each others WIFI. there are two floors of reinforced concrete in between. i tried to establish a direct connection, but it did not work. so i installed the two TL-WA7510 on each's apartments balcony to set up a bridge. the bridge hardware needs to withstand outdoor conditions (waterproof, UV stable, etc).
5) ok, so i guess to best option is to set up the TL-WA7510s as WDS bridge?

[Per Yngve Berg]

The TL-WA7510 is a outdoor unit. It works well with stock firmware.

It have two polarised antennas. You can select Horizontal or Vertical. I don't know it dd-wrt supports that. Is both units properly aimed toward each other?

[kernel-panic69]

If you're running cable to the balcony just for the wireless ethernet bridge, why not just run cat5e/cat6 between the TL-WR841 and R7000 by way of the balcony...

Otherwise, x2 on using stock firmware on the TL-WA7510s. It natively supports a wireless ethernet bridge, you don't need DD-WRT for that.

[satand]

it's unfortunately not possible to install a cable from one balcony to the other (skyscraper).

so, bottom line, you are assuming that the TL-WA7510 bridge is causing the connection drops. i thought that dd-wrt would be faster and "better" than stock firmware. i will revert them to stock and test the setup again. many thanks for your answers!

[Alozaros]