How to Create a Wireless Repeater
A wireless repeater extends a wireless network by re-broadcasting an origin access points signal as well as a client's responses back. While Linksys and a few other manufacturers have models of access points that are capable of being turned into repeaters, many manufacturer's require that you purchase a separate piece of hardware. If you have an extra access point lying around however, you can flash the device with the dd-wrt firmware to create a repeater option.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
Upgrading Your Firmware to Enable Repeating
-
1
Launch an additional tab or window in your Web browser and navigate to the dd-wrt website (see Resources). Click the "Router Database" button, then enter your router manufacturer's name into the search box and press the "Enter" key. Scroll through the list and find if your device is supported or not. If your device is not supported by the dd-wrt project you will need to purchase a dedicated wireless repeater or acquire an access point that is supported by dd-wrt.
-
2
Create a folder on your hard drive labeled "DDWRT" and download the latest stable release of the firmware for your router from the router's search page. This file will have a ".bin" extension.
-
-
3
Navigate to the hardware-specific wiki page (see Resources). Check to see if your hardware is listed there. If it is, you need to follow the specific instructions for your device. While the installation process is streamlined on some devices, others need to be approached using specific programs or flashing methods.
-
4
Disable all of your wireless connections and plug your computer into the router using a LAN cable. It is imperative that you do not use a wireless connection at all during the firmware upgrade unless the specific page referring to your hardware requires it.
-
5
Reset your router using the proper 30/30/30 method. Hold down the reset button for thirty seconds, unplug the router while continuing to hold the reset button for thirty seconds, then plug the router back into its AC adapter while still holding the reset button for another thirty seconds. This will clear out the NVRAM and prepare the device for the upgrade.
-
6
Open an additional tab or window on your Web browser and navigate to your router's Web-based configuration page by typing in the router's IP address (typically 192.168.1.1). Enter your login information to authenticate with the router.
-
7
Navigate to the "Administration" section of the router and find the "Firmware Upgrade" option. Every router's Web interface will be arranged differently, but unless there are hardware-specific notes for updating your router, then your router should have a firmware upgrade section.
-
8
Click "Browse" and select the ".bin" file you downloaded for the router from your hard drive. Click the "Upgrade" button to upload the file and let the router run through the upgrade process. It is important during these crucial five minutes that you do not close the Web browser, reset the router, or even touch your computer. When a new page pops up saying that the upgrade was a success, you can click the "Continue" button.
-
9
Perform a hard reset on your router, again, using the proper 30/30/30 method. Hold down the reset button for thirty seconds, unplug the router while continuing to hold the reset button for thirty seconds, then plug the router back into its AC adapter while still holding the reset button for another thirty seconds. This will clear out the NVRAM and prepare the device for the upgrade.
Creating the Wireless Repeater
-
10
Log in to the Web-based configuration interface for your flashed router. Click the "Setup" button, then the "Basic Setup" tab to begin.
-
11
Change the Local IP Address to one that uses a different subnet than the signal you want to repeat. For instance, if the network you want to repeat is "192.168.0.xxx" you could change your repeater's address to "192.168.69.xxx". Typically the "xxx" would be a "1." Click the "Apply" button to save the new settings.
-
12
Navigate to the new IP address you set for the repeater and log back in to the Web-based configuration interface. Click the "Security" button, then the "Firewall" tab. Choose the "Disable" option to turn off the firewall.
-
13
Click the "Wireless" button, then the "Basic Settings" tab. Select "Repeater" from the "Wireless Mode" drop-down box. Under the "Wireless Physical Interface" section set the "SSID" to the "SSID" of the network you wish to repeat. Set the "Network Configuration" option to "Bridge," then click "Save Settings" to continue.
-
14
Click "Add" under the "Virtual Interfaces" section, then enter an "SSID" such as "repeater," select "Disabled" from the "AP Isolation" drop-down box, and click on "Bridged" under the "Network Configuration" option. Click the "Save Settings" button to continue.
Finalizing the Creation of Your Wireless Repeater
-
15
Click the "Wireless" button, then the "Wireless Security" tab. Change all settings to match those of the wireless router you are going to be repeating. These settings must be identical for the repeater to function.
-
16
Click the "Advanced Settings" option and configure any additional settings to match those of your original router. For instance, if your router is in G-only mode, your repeater will have to be in G-only mode as well.
-
17
Reconnect to the wireless repeater using your computer's wireless connection. Your computer should automatically adjust its settings to connect you to the repeater instead of the main router, preferring the stronger signal. However, you may need to click "Repair Wireless Connection" when running Windows to complete the connection as the network manager will notice a different access point than the original.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Check the configuration pages of your wireless router first to see if you can set it up as a wireless repeater without having to upgrade the firmware. You may be able to skip most of these steps and simply enable a repeater mode.
Even if your wireless access point or router uses firmware that allows for you to set it up as a repeater already, the dd-wrt firmware enables a number of features that most standard wireless access points do not ship with.
Make sure that you correctly identify your router. Failure to do so could lead to a broken device.
Your router will go offline during the firmware flashing process. You may need to save this tutorial page and any other applicable pages for offline use.
If your router uses a Broadcom chipset -- typically chipsets starting with "BCM" do -- make sure that you read all the documentation thoroughly for your device as Broadcom devices can be difficult during the upgrade process.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit wlan router 04 image by pmphoto from Fotolia.com
