[Galane]

Is there a way to login to dd-wrt after it's been configured as a repeater? Every time I've set up a router to act as a WiFi repeater, it's like it becomes "invisible" and I can't access the IP address I know I gave it.

It's a pain in the backside having to reset and reconfigure everything when only one thing needs changed (like the gateway IP), which is why once I get WiFi routers set up like that I never update them or change them unless forced to, like when setting up T-Mobile Home Internet with its any gateway IP you want as long as it's 192.168.12.1

I had to swap out my T-Mo silver cylinder for their black box and despite having the same WiFi settings as before my Netgear AC1450 would not talk to it.

I figured I may as well reset it, then update to the latest dd-wrt before reconfiguring.

Reset by holding the button for 7+ seconds did nothing. So I did 30-30-30 and that didn't reset it. Instead, when it rebooted it worked with the new T-Mo device without me having to do anything else. (Also, the security cameras connected to the Netgear by WiFi came back online.)

So that's a second question, why *didn't it reset*?

If there's a way to update dd-wrt without nuking all the settings, that will make me happy.

[egc]

Start with telling us your router model and build number
But bridge modes are problematic.

See the forum guidelines with helpful pointers about how to research your router, where and what firmware to download, where and how to post and many other helpful tips:
https://forum.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=324087

[Galane]

On the bottom it just says it's a model AC1450, no version or revision number.

IC: 4054A-13200227
FCC ID: PY313200227

I have no idea what version/build of dd-wrt is on it but the files were downloaded 1/19/2021. I got it working how I wanted it and didn't want to mess with it anymore as long as it continued to work. I reset it but didn't update dd-wrt when I changed from a local ISB to T-Mobile, and the only reason it got reset was T-Mo's irritating unchangeable gateway IP forcing me to have to change every fixed IP on my LAN. I looked for a way back then (about 2 years ago) to just get into the router and change the IP settings, but nope, required the reset and complete configuration redo.

The reason I put dd-wrt on it was because of the repeater mode so I could use the same SSID and password in the shop (where the AC1450 is) and the house.

[egc]

It probably is this one: http://en.techinfodepot.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Netgear_AC1450

You are using an old build so all bets are off

Latest build: https://download1.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv2/downloads/betas/2023/11-22-2023-r54095/netgear-ac1450/

Normally you do not reset when you upgrade (never check the reset box on the upgrade page).

But coming from such an old build a reset **after** upgrade is highly recommended. Put settings in manually, never restore from a backup (to a different build).

Having the same SSID is often problematic better use different SSIDs, you can roam nonetheless.

Repeater mode for Broadcom should be OK(ish)

See my notes about Wireless bridge how I do it: https://github.com/egc112/ddwrt

I will move this thread to the appropriate forum

[Galane]

Is there a way to log in without resetting it first? Is there some 'back door' way to get into it when it acts as though it's not there, invisibly routing data like its a simple switch connected to the access point with a cable?

When I reset it to get in to change things for T-Mobile I also set up a second SSID. I intended to delete that, was certain I had done so, before saving the setup and rebooting.

[egc]

Connect wired to your router and give your client a fixed ip address if it does not get one.

[Galane]

After several attempts I was finally able to get the bleeping thing to reset so I could log in to update it.

Thanks to flashrouters.com it was simple to setup the repeater-bridge with a secondary SSID. (I have some security cameras on it so they should be back online without having to reconnect them.)

Also happy that dd-wrt now supports accessing the bleeping thing for maintenance rather than going completely invisible when apply is clicked.

The previous build I had from 2021, I set it to 192.168.12.2 (and it and prior builds on other hardware with different ISPs set to 1.2.168.0.2) once configuration was finished and that final Apply clicked, it was as if the router became an impenetrable black box. Couldn't ping its IP or put it in a browser, not there, not found.

Now that I can have my repeater bridge *and* log into it without having to reset it, it's far more likely I'll keep up with updating dd-wrt instead of waiting until some change forces me to have to.

[redhawk0]

Sure...you can access Repeaters from your network...you have to set up a different port on the Repeater for access....in my case...I use 8082 instead of 8080 which is the default.

So...by typing in 192.168.1.2:8082.....I can access my repeater which has a static IP in my main router of 192.168.1.2....even though the repeater is set to 192.168.2.1.

This port is setup on the Administration>>Management tab.

I hope it helps.

redhawk

[Galane]

I didn't have to do anything special with the release of dd-wrt I updated to.

It just worked, leaving access available via 192.168.12.2 *unlike* how all the previous times I'd set it up to be a repeater on this and other hardware with previous releases where it'd 'go transparent' and inaccessible as soon as I applied the settings and restarted it.

It also has a 3rd (actually 2nd in the list) WiFi SSID named dd-wrt_vap that I didn't set up myself and it was created without security. I didn't notice it until I had it working. "What's this new unsecured WiFi?" I connected with my phone, entered my router's IP and, ohhhh. It's on my network! Got that one secured right then.

So I'm just happy I won't have to repeat this process again of having to cold reset it and wiping all the configuration just to get back into the system to update.