Universal Wireless Repeater

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Revision as of 16:26, 10 December 2006 by Marcjohnson (Talk | contribs)
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Contents

Introduction

This How-To provides step-by-step instructions for creating a Universal Wireless Repeater appliance: a device that you can place anywhere and it will wirelessly repeat the strongest signal, onto another wireless network (with or without security). This functionality is also known as Wireless Client Bridge, or Range Expander. Unlike WDS, once you have this appliance setup, it will work with any open network.

Prerequisites

  • Know how to use and access Web Interface
  • Know how to flash your device.

It takes me just a couple minutes to follow these instructions (but I've done this before).

Instructions

1. Install DD-WRT v24 beta(v23 will not work).

  • Build 2006-0911 is known to be stable for repeater mode.
  • This image has autoap built in.
  • Keep ethernet cable connected for these instructions (to have connectivity across wireless network changes).

2. Go to tab "Setup", sub-tab "Basic Setup":

  • Change "local IP address" to a unique subnet (different than device you wish to repeat), such as 192.168.69.1.
  • Save settings.

Image:Uwr_screen1.JPG

3. Go to tab "Security", sub-tab "Firewall":

  • Disable all check boxes and set firewall to "disable".
  • Save settings.

Image:Uwr_screen2.JPG

4. Go to tab "Wireless", sub-tabe "Basic Settings":

  • Set Wireless Mode to "Repeater"
  • Click on "Add" under Virtual Interfaces, and enter an SSID (such as "repeater") and set "Wireless Network Name (SSID)" to the network you wish to repeat (and AP Isolation is "disabled" and Network Configuration is "Bridged"). If you want the source network (the one your repeating) to be dynamically acquired, see steps below.
  • Optional: Set Wireless Channel to "Auto" (or your preferred channel), and set Sensitivy Range to "0" for performance enhancements.
  • Click "Save Settings".

Image:Uwr_screen3.JPG

5. To repeat any network dynamically (make this a universal wireless repeater), the following will make the repeater connect to the first available SSID:

  • Go to tab "Administration", subtab "Command".
  • Copy and paste the following into the edit box: 
nvram set wl_ssid=""
nvram commit
  • Click the Save Startup.

Image:Uwr_screen5.JPG

  • Note: this will not automatically repeat secure/encrypted networks. If your source network uses WEP or WPK, enter the ssid under the Physical Interface in step 4 instead, and proceed to the next step.


6. If you want to use security (WEP, WPA, etc):

  • Go to tab "Wireless", sub-tab "Wireless Security".
  • Setup WEP (or other security) under virtual interface if you wish the repeated network to be private (for your use only).
  • Configure your client/computer to use the same security.

Image:Uwr_screen4.JPG

  • Notice in the screenshot above you may also configure security for the physical interface (source) network if you wish to repeat a secure network. In the example this is disabled. If you enable this, the dynamic repeating functionality may not work (since you're hard configuring the source network).

7. The first time you connect to the repeater (wirelessly), or after disconnect, you may need to perform a "repair wireless network connection". For example, in XP, right click on the wireless icon and select "Repair".

Optimizations

Everything that follows is optional. You do not need to perform any of the steps in this section unless you wish to optimize.

8. If you wish to dynamically repeat the STRONGEST signal (a more sophisticated replacement version of #5 above) please read the autoap article.

9. For repeater performance enhancements:

  • Go to tab "Administration", subtab "Management". Enter the following values under 'IP Filter Settings': 
  TCP Timeout (s): 90
  UDP Timeout (s): 90
  • Go to administration tab, subtab "Command": Edit the existing command text and paste the following into the edit box before the existing commands: 
  echo '600 1800 120 60 120 120 10 60 30 120' > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_conntrack_tcp_timeouts
  • Go to tab "Wireless", subtab "Advanced Settings". Set "Beacon Interval" to a lower value (like 50 or 75).
  • Go to tab "Administration" and subtab "Management" and set overclocking frequency to a higher value than default.
  • Go to tab "Wireless" and subtab "Advanced" and boost xmit power to higher than default.

Todo

Your testing results and enhancements are appreciated:

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