Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 21:45 Post subject: WNR834Bv2 Repeater Bridge wi-fi clients can't connect to VAP
DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 Repeater Bridge wi-fi clients can't connect to the virtual access point.
This is my very first post to this forum so please be gentle if I make noob mistakes.
Plugged into my desktop PC Ethernet NIC I can manually switch the CAT5 cable between two DD-WRT setups, one of which works flawlessly, the other works for all things EXCEPT wireless clients (like phones & laptops) can't connect to the virtual access point (with or without encryption).
The DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1 setup works flawlessly:
a. The Win10 PC Ethernet NIC RJ45 goes via CAT5 cable to the DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1
b. The DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1 2.4GHz connects OTA to a 2.4GHz Ubiquiti RM2 access point
c. The Rocket M2 access point encryption is set to the typical WPA2 Personal/AES settings
d. The DD-WRT Wireless > Wireless Security is set to the same WPA2 Personal/AES settings
e. That 2.4GHz Ubiquiti RM2 access point connects by CAT5 cable to my home router
f. My home router connects by CAT5 cable to my modem and from there by cable to the Internet
g. The DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1 has a virtual access point for wireless clients to connect
h. That virtual access point encryption is set to the same WPA2 Personal/AES settings
But when I switch to the DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 Repeater Bridge (set up exactly the same as the working DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1), everything works EXCEPT wi-fi clients can't connect to the DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 Repeater Bridge using its virtual access point encryption set to typical WPA2 Personal/AES settings.
Worse, they can't even connect when I set the virtual access point to no encryption (open).
i. DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 Wireless > Wireless Security > Virtual Interfaces > Security Mode = Disabled
I wouldn't be truthful if I didn't' state this is frustrating me to no end.
Hence, I'm desperate for a method to debug WHERE the problem lies.
I don't know what the next step in debugging is as I've checked all settings many times.
I've tried with and without encryption on the virtual access point setup.
The Win10 PC does not have a Wi-Fi NIC but I tested Wi-Fi using laptops & Android/iOS phones.
I've rebooted the DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 many times.
It's only the virtual access point which isn't working om the DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2.
(The virtual access point works flawlessly on the DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1).
It's frustrating me to death!
I don't know how to debug to find where the error lies.
As the DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1 works flawlessly with the same settings as the DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2, specifically "DDRT Wireless > Basic Settings > Repeater Bridge" & "DD-WRT Setup > Advanced Routing > Operating Mode = Router" instead of "Gateway" where about the only difference is I assigned a different SSID to the DD-WRT Linksys WRT54Gv8.1 virtual access point from the SSID of the DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 virtual access point. Everything else is the same.
My first question since this one router isn't doing what it's supposed to do is:
Q1: Is this a known problem?
My second question since I'm coming here to ask you for your experience & advice is:
Q1: What is the next step to debug what is wrong?
The problem is I can't figure out how to flash that chk file.
I am embarrassed to tell you how many hours I've spent trying to flash that file.
I tried three browsers (Firefox, Chrome & Internet Explorer) and tftp.
Are you sure that's the correct file to upgrade an existing DD-WRT version to a later version for the WNR834Bv2?
a. I reset the router (ten seconds with a paperclip).
A few tries later I reset the router using DD-WRT Administration > Factory Defaults dialog.
I even did the 30/30/30 procedure.
All they accomplished was resetting the DD-WRT firmware to the point
that I have to create a new login/password combination.
b. I downloaded the DD-WRT CHK file that was suggested.
<https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/03-05-2023-r51937/broadcom/>
There was only one file in that listing that had the "834" anywhere in it:
dd-wrt.v24_mini-wnr834bv2.chk 05-Mar-2023 04:29 3035194
<https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/03-05-2023-r51937/broadcom/dd-
wrt.v24_mini-wnr834bv2.chk>
Name: dd-wrt.v24_mini-wnr834bv2.chk
Size: 3035194 bytes (2964 KiB)
SHA256: B0B6DB900A05902C0625212A4CE56B3DA7E65FC32335B259FA8ABCD674E4D149
c. With three browsers, multiple times each, I pressed all the right buttons.
DD-WRT Netgear WNR834Bv2 Administration > Firmware Upgrade > Firmware Management > [Browse]
dd-wrt.v24_mini-wnr834bv2.chk [Upgrade]
"Upgrade successful. Unit is rebooting now. Please wait a moment..."
I tried it with "Don't reset" and with "Reset to Default settings".
And I waited the five minutes before hitting the Continue button.
Each time it said it was successful but it didn't change the version from 27560.
d. I even tried tftp which also didn't change the existing DD-WRT version from 27560.
users Window1: C:\> ping 192.168.1.1 -t
Admin Window2: C:\> tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put dd-wrt.v24_mini-wnr834bv2.chk
(after a couple of minutes) Connect request failed
I even tried pulling the power cord for ten seconds before hitting the ENTER key on the tftp.
I waited about 22 seconds after re-plugging the power for the power light to turn from solid orange to solid green (it never blinks) and THEN I hit the tftp ENTER key. Still it failed.
Do you know if a bin file would work better to update an existing DD-WRT version?
I'm trying to provide full details so you can help me better, and so that anyone with the same issue can find all the details they need in this thread.
To that end, here are some debugging screenshots.
Quote:
a. The suggested firmware upgrade was successful.
<https://i.postimg.cc/gj2y05Nz/a-setup-basic-setup-network-setup-new.jpg>
b. The WNR834Bv2 connects to the Internet from the wired PC as a Repeater Bridge.
<https://i.postimg.cc/brb4NZJH/b-setup01.jpg>
c. But the wireless clients still can not connect to the WNR834Bv2 virtual access point.
<https://i.postimg.cc/nc4Ny9Nn/c-setup02.jpg>
d. While an identically set up Linksys DD-WRT router's VAP shows up in a Wi-Fi scan,
the WNR834Bv2 VAP doesn't even show up in a Wi-Fi scan.
<https://i.postimg.cc/ZRW127zQ/d-setup03.jpg>
As I recall, this is actually WORSE than it was before the update because as I recall, the Wi-Fi virtual access point showed up before the upgrade - but it just wouldn't connect.
Anyway... Clearly I need debugging help.
Meanwhile... for full documentation of the problem I appreciate the pointer to the generic DD-WRT upgrade to existing DD-WRT so that I could update the Netgear WNR834Bv2 from DD-WRT v3.0-r27560 mini (08/03/15) to DD-WRT v3.0-r51937 mini (03/05/23).
The "chk", I found out belatedly, is only for upgrading from Netgear firmware to DD-WRT firmware, while the "bin", apparently, is for upgrading from DD-WRT version older to DD-WRT version newer.
I wasn't sure how to choose between the two suggested files, namely the "mini" and the "std", where I think it may depend on how much memory the router has, which seems to be listed as 4MB of Flash RAM in this listing:
Quote:
https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices#Netgear
Model = WNR834B
HW Rev = v2
FCC ID = PY307100061
Platform & Frequency = Broadcom BCM4704 @264
RAM MB = 16
FLASH MB = 4
Wireless NIC = Broadcom BCM4321
WLAN Standard = b/g/n 2x2:2
MiniPCI = -
Serial Port = 1
JTAG Port = 1
Ether port count = 4 LAN, 1 WAN
Power = 12V 1A
Special = -
Minimum usable DD-WRT version = v24 build 9270 20080308
The upgrade to the DD-WRT v3.0-r51937 mini (03/05/23) firmware didn't make any difference in the problem set so I would like to ask again for debugging help to figure out where the problem is.
dale_gribble39 wrote:
You may need to use Firefox ESR portable or Pale Moon portable, or worst case, flash via CLI.
Thanks. I have access to Firefox & Pale Moon (and others) but none are the portable versions.
Anyway, here's what I did:
Quote:
1. I went to the aforementioned broadcom dd-wrt archives.
<https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/03-05-2023-r51937/broadcom/>
2. I searched for "dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin" & "dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin".
<https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-owrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/03-05-2023-r51937/broadcom/dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin>
Name: dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin
Size: 3035136 bytes (2964 KiB)
SHA256: C4384DB2848D489BBF7E7C8AF95B67CD79F4DA5CBA05F1D78ABA1B19857377C9
<https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/03-05-2023-r51937/broadcom/dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin>
Name: dd-wrt.v24_std_generic.bin
Size: 3809280 bytes (3720 KiB)
SHA256: 3F380DB40452F642A05D650E733D225BB41E29447F003B247FD2B159FB3EDC26
3. I powered the Netgear WNR834B v2 & waited about 26 seconds for the power LED to change from orange to green.
4. I pressed the Netgear WNR834B v2 reset button with a paperclip (10 seconds) & waited 26 seconds for the power LED to change from orange to green.
5. I set the Win10 PC Ethernet NIC to the 192.168.1.x/255.255.255.0 subnet using Win+I > Network & Internet > Ethernet > Change adapter options > Ethernet > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties & tested on the Windows command line with "ipconfig".
6. I physically connected the Windows 10 PC Ethernet RJ45 to one of the LAN ports on the Netgear WNR834Bv2.
7. In a Windows command window I pinged the router successfully "ping 192.168.1.1 -t".
8. I could have tried tftp but it's probably safer for a noob like I am to use the dd-wrt web interface so I brought up Firefox 109.0.1 32-bit (not portable) to 192.168.1.1 & created a
username/password combination & I pressed on the dd-wrt [Firmware: DD-WRT v3.0-r27560 mini (08/03/15)] "Administration" tab & it asked for the new login credentials.
9. Not wanting to risk the larger bin file I opted for the mini using dd-wrt "Administration > Firmware Upgrade > Don't Reset & Browse > dd-wrt.v24_mini_generic.bin > Upgrade > Wait > Upgrade Successful > Unit is rebooting > (then I waited for the continuous ping on 192.168.1.1 to reply successfully which took about a minute or so).
10. The top banner now reports: [Firmware: DD-WRT v3.0-r51937 mini (03/05/23)]
Then I set up the router as a bridge repeater with the physical & software setup as follows.
PHYSICAL SETUP:
Quote:
a. The desktop PC is wired to the WNR834Bv2 as its only LAN connection
b. The WNR834Bv2 also acts as its own virtual access point (for nearby Wi-Fi clients to connect to)
c. The WNR834Bv2 is then bridged to an access point located fifty feet away (where that AP is wired to the main router)
d. The new DD-WRT v3.0-r51937 mini (03/05/23) works the same as the old, in that the PC can connect through it to the Internet but no Wi-Fi clients can connect to its virtual access point.
Here is how I reflashed the old DD-WRT with the new DD-WRT:
Quote:
1. With the WNR834Bv2 power light solid green, I held the reset button in (with a paperclip) for ten seconds and them let the button pop back on its own.
2. I waited about 25 seconds for the power light to go from orange to solid green.
3. I connected the Win10 PC Ethernet RJ45 to cat5 cable to any WNR834Bv2 LAN port.
4. In one Win10 command window, I ran "ping 192.168.1.1 -t" (which returned successful pings)
5. In another command window, I ran "ping 192.168.1.175 -t" (this will not work yet).
6. Using Firefox, I logged into http://192.168.1.1 & set a new username/password combination.
7. I had to log back into the dd-wrt using the new username/password.
Then I made the following changes to the setup:
Quote:
A: Set the IP address
Setup > Basic Setup > Optional Settings > Router Name = wrt834bv2.ddrt
Setup > Basic Setup > Local IP Address = 192.168.1.175/24
Setup > Basic Setup > Gateway = 192.168.1.1
Setup > Basic Setup > Local DNS = 192.168.1.1
[Apply Settings] & waited for a successful "ping 192.168.1.175 -t".
B: Set the Operating Mode:
Setup > Advanced Routing > Operating Mode = Router
[Apply Settings]
C: Set the Radio Mode:
Wireless > Basic Settings > Radio Mode = Repeater Bridge
Radio Mode = Repeater Bridge
Network Mode = G Only
Service Set Identifier (SSID) = xxxxx_nomap
Channel = Auto
Network Configuration = Bridged
[Apply Settings] & waited for _both_ pings to be return successful values.
(At this point both pings should start returning successful values.)
(You should be able to open a new Firefox tab to get onto the Internet.)
D: Add Virtual Access Point:
Wireless > Basic Settings > [Add Virtual AP]
Service Set Identifier (SSID) = yyyyy_nomap
SSID Broadcast = Enable
Web UI Access = Enable
Network Configuration = Bridged
AP Isolation = Disable
[Apply Settings] & wait for both pings to return successful values.
E: Turn off SPI Firewall
Security > Firewall > Firewall Protection > SPI Firewall = Disable
[Apply Settings] & wait for both pings to return successful values.
Reply from 192.168.1.175: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=64
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Request timed out.
Reply from 192.168.1.175: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=64
G: Connect a wireless client (Android phone) to the virtual access point.
yyyyy_nomap === Couldn't connect to network.
I have two routers within feet of each other, both running DD-WRT, and both set up the same, where one allows the client to connect to the virtual access point and the other does not.
Joined: 08 May 2018 Posts: 14221 Location: Texas, USA
Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2023 18:41 Post subject:
Instead of Repeater Bridge, try Client/Station Bridge mode as the VAP may not work with Repeater modes. The other option is to try without any wifi security enabled on the VAP. _________________ "Life is but a fleeting moment, a vapor that vanishes quickly; All is vanity"
Contribute To DD-WRT Pogo - A minimal level of ability is expected and needed... DD-WRT Releases 2023 (PolitePol)
DD-WRT Releases 2023 (RSS Everything)
----------------------
Linux User #377467 counter.li.org / linuxcounter.net
The other option is to try without any wifi security enabled on the VAP.
Thanks for that suggestion. The screenshots show a variety of encryption because many times, I tried both "Wireless Security" of "WPA2-PSK" and "Disabled" but nothing seemed to make any difference unfortunately.
kernel-panic69 wrote:
Instead of Repeater Bridge, try Client/Station Bridge mode as the VAP may not work with Repeater modes.
The "Radio Mode" options firmware DD-WRT v3.0-r51937 mini (03/05/23) provides me are:
a. AP
b. Station
c. Station Bridge
d. Repeater
e. Repeater Bridge
f. Ad-Hoc
I'll use anything that works, where my main goal is:
A. Add a wireless connection from the PC Ethernet to the WNR834Bv2
B. Add a wireless virtual access point at the location of the WNR834Bv2
C. Add a wireless connection from the WNR834Bv2 to the Rocket M2 Access Point
(The Rocket M2 access point is cat5 cable connected to a LAN port on the home router.)
A & C above work great; it's just the VAP that isn't working.
I looked up what "Station Bridge" mode was (that's the new name, apparently for "Client Bridge" mode I guess)...
<https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridged>
Where I guess the only difference with "Station" mode (aka "Client" mode)
<https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Mode>
Is, I think, that NAT is involved with "Station" mode but there is no NAT in "Station Bridge" mode.
<https://wiki.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Repeating_Mode_Comparisons>
Is that correct?
But what good is either mode when the only way a client can attach to the secondary router is by CAT5 (and not by Wi-Fi)?
Let me test it though as I'm a noob and I admit it.
Here's what I'm doing to test this out...
1. I logged into the WNR834Bv2 and changed the Wireless > Basic Settings > Radio Mode" from "Bridge Repeater" to "Station Bridge".
2. I have no idea what else to change...
Right now, the Setup > Basic Setup > Local IP Address is still 192.168.1.175/24.
Right now, the Gateway is still 192.168.1.1 as is the Local DNS.
3. OK. I hit Apply and I am on "Station Bridge" now, with no other changes.
I'm using the Win10 PC right now connected by CAT5 to the WNR834Bv2 in "Station Bridge" mode.
But I don't see any option in "Station Bridge" to create a wireless Virtual Access Point.
I don't see what advantage there is to "Station Bridge" mode given I can't create a VAP.
