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What's the proper way to create a wireless bridge between two wireless routers? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works to c/homelab@lemmy.ml

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I've heard that WDS is the standard for creating a wireless bridge, but I have since read on a number of forum posts that WDS shouldn't be used anymore. This idea of it being deprecated seems to make sense, as it appears that it is not supported by another newer router that I have (tp-link Archer AX73). How should I go about this?

Update (2024-01-14)

I have since found this guide which seemed to work well. I'm not sure if it's the best way, but it does at least work.

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[–] cm0002@lemmy.world 11 points 10 months ago (2 children)

If you want to spend money, WiFi mesh.

If you want to spend as little money as possible, see if your router can support OpenWRT (The AX73 doesn't, I'd get rid of it if you can and avoid any routers with Broadcom or Qualcomm chips in the future) and then you'll have the Wireless Repeater mode. Use the AX73 as your primary and the openWRT one as the repeater node and you're set.

If Ethernet between the 2 is viable, go with that instead

[–] Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

see if your router can support OpenWRT

I have an Archer C7, to which I have already flashed OpenWRT.

avoid any routers with Broadcom or Qualcomm

Noted! I assume that the Archer C7 is an exception to that? It has a Qualcomm chip afaik. But, yeah, the AX73 is Broadcom.

Use the AX73 as your primary and the OpenWRT one as the repeater node and you’re set.

Is that not what WDS, or 802.11s is (I'm not arguing, I am simply unaware, and I would appreciate correction!)? I've tried setting this up a number of ways -- all to no avail. I haven't been able to identify exactly where the problem lies in the setup, as I am not knowledgeable enough about network administration yet. The Archer C7 is able to connect to the AX73 just fine, but any device connected to the Archer C7 is unable to reach the AX73. Would you be able to provide me with any instructions, or recommendations for guides to set up what you are describing? I'm missing some important set up step, or I'm improperly configuring something.

If Ethernet between the 2 is viable, go with that instead

I would like to try and set it up over a wireless link.

[–] cm0002@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yea Qualcomm is hit or miss (with more misses than hits) but never Broadcom, they never release drivers for their stuff without NDAs and lots of fees n shit (Fuckin assholes man lol). In fact you should avoid anything Broadcom, they recently acquired VMware and before the ink had even dried they announced they were revoking perpetual licenses to make people/business move to a subscription model.

But back on topic, WDS is a more full featured version where both the primary router and secondary ones are configured to bridge with each other. Kind of like a proto-mesh.

Wireless Repeater Mode, Wireless Bridge Mode, Extender Mode (There's a lot of different names to it, confusing I know lmao) is a more pared down version, big difference is that the primary router is configured as a normal happy router and the secondary routers just hop on its WiFi signal as a client off one antenna and then rebroadcasts it off the other antennas (and through the Ethernet ports as well) all with the primary router unaware of the repeaters.

It's been a long time since I've used this mode, but from what I remember, it's under the AP mode setting (Where you would select AP or Router mode) you would select Repeater mode then configure the SSID name and Security settings exactly as the primary router. Sometimes there was a dedicated spot for this, sometimes you just set it on the normal SSID Security settings screen

[–] Kalcifer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago

Yea Qualcomm is hit or miss (with more misses than hits) but never Broadcom, they never release drivers for their stuff without NDAs and lots of fees n shit (Fuckin assholes man lol). In fact you should avoid anything Broadcom, they recently acquired VMware and before the ink had even dried they announced they were revoking perpetual licenses to make people/business move to a subscription model.

Noted!

But back on topic, WDS is a more full featured version where both the primary router and secondary ones are configured to bridge with each other. Kind of like a proto-mesh.

Gotcha. From what I've read, it appears that the AX73 doesn't support WDS, which I thought was weird since its a pretty new router.

It’s been a long time since I’ve used this mode, but from what I remember, it’s under the AP mode setting (Where you would select AP or Router mode) you would select Repeater mode then configure the SSID name and Security settings exactly as the primary router. Sometimes there was a dedicated spot for this, sometimes you just set it on the normal SSID Security settings screen

I found this guide for creating a wireless bridge. It doesn't feel as elegant a solution as simply hopping onto Router A with Router B, but it at least functions.