Repeater mode for DD-WRT on a Linksys router

Last Modified: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:06:20 +0000 ; Created: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:04:15 +0000

Here is the method I used to get DD-WRT on a Linksys router to run in repeater mode so I could have it wireless connect as a client to a remote AP and also allow wireless clients on it to connect as well.

My setup:

  • Linksys WRT54GS2 V1 (I would have preferred the WRT54GL)
  • Cat-6 network cable (straight through not cross-over) for laptop (1 gigabit network) to LAN port on Linksys router
  • DD-WRT v24-sp2 (10/10/09) micro [build 13064] for WRT54GS2 V1
  • Remote access point is Cisco

What you need before hand:

  1. SSID (name) of remote wireless access point spelled exactly and case sensitive
  2. Security settings and type of remote access point
  3. What normal client IP address the remote network usually gives out (ex: 192.168.1.100)

Steps:

  1. Hold down the Reset button on the back of your router to clear all settings
  2. Install DD-WRT (see http://www.dd-wrt.com/)
  3. Hold down the Reset button on the back of your router to clear all settings (yes again)
  4. Hook up the network cable from your computer to the wireless router (REQUIRED - you can't do it all over wireless)
  5. Reset your computer TCP/IP settings to DHCP assigned (when you installed DD-WRT you changed it to a static one)
  6. Login to your router via http://192.168.1.1/
  7. Enter in a new username and password as required
  8. Click on Change Password
  9. Setup tab
    1. You should be in the sub-tab Basic Setup
    2. Under Router IP change Local IP Address to 192.168.101.1
      • Make it something different if the remote network usually gives out an IP starting with 192.168.101
    3. Scroll to bottom and click on Apply Settings (not Save)
    4. Your connection to the router will probably drop and then reconnect or sit forever at the progress bar
    5. A quick way to reconnect is to unplug the network cable and plug it in again
    6. Close your web browser and reopen it to http://192.168.101.1/
  10. Wireless tab
    1. sub-tab Basic Settings
      1. Wireless Mode = Repeater
      2. Wireless Network Mode = G-Only (if remote supports G speed, otherwise use Mixed)
      3. Wireless Network Name (SSID) = SSID (name) of remote wireless access point spelled exactly and case sensitive
      4. Wireless Channel = ignore leave at whatever it already is
      5. Wireless SSID Broadcast = leave at Enable
      6. Sensitivity Range (ACK Timing) = leave at 2000
      7. Network Configuration = leave at Bridged
      8. Virtual Interfaces, click on Add
      9. Wireless Network Name (SSID) = whatever name you want for your computer to connect to
      10. Wireless SSID Broadcast = leave at Enabled
      11. AP Isolation = leave at Disabled
      12. Network Configuration = leaved at Bridged
      13. Click on Apply Settings (not Save)
    2. sub-tab Wireless Security
      1. Physical Interface wl0 SSID
      2. Security Mode = whatever settings remote network requires
      3. Virtual Interfaces wl0.1 SSID
      4. Security Mode = whatever settings you want your local wireless network to use
        • I recommend WPA2 Personal
      5. Apply Settings (not Save)
  11. Status tab
    1. WAN sub-tab
      1. Verify that under Configuration Type, IP Address you have a valid IP address from the remote network
      2. Verify you have a Gateway and DNS
      3. It may take your router a couple of minutes to connect so just refresh the page
  12. Connect your computer to your local wireless network