Wireless Bridge in new flat

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xoddoza

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#65564 3-Aug-2010 17:03

Hi all,

I've recently moved to new accomodation and am working to get all my gear up an running. (1 laptop, 1 desktop, and 1 file server)

Flat is serviced by a wireless network off a WGR614v7, internet is provided by woosh wireless (i know, thats the next task)

Now I browsed around qucikly and decided that a cheap wifi AP should be able to bridge that. Looked at the TP-Link WA701ND's manual online saw it talked about this exact situation.

Ordered one for 60$ incl shipping, but unfortunately the Bridge AP mode doesn't seem to support any form of encryption other than WEP, which I wont use for obvious reasons.

All of which leaves me a bit stuck. Looking for any suggestions on how to fix this problem. I also potentially have a DIR655 which could be used it its of any use.

Should I just try an return the TP-link for a refund, seeing as its not really capable of what it was advertised as, (well securely anyway).

Should i find a router which supports DDwrt or some such and install one of those third party firmwares which should support all this jaz?

THanks for all your help.

PANiCnz

990 posts

Ultimate Geek

#362545 3-Aug-2010 17:47

xoddoza: Hi all,

I've recently moved to new accomodation and am working to get all my gear up an running. (1 laptop, 1 desktop, and 1 file server)

Flat is serviced by a wireless network off a WGR614v7, internet is provided by woosh wireless (i know, thats the next task)

Now I browsed around qucikly and decided that a cheap wifi AP should be able to bridge that. Looked at the TP-Link WA701ND's manual online saw it talked about this exact situation.

Ordered one for 60$ incl shipping, but unfortunately the Bridge AP mode doesn't seem to support any form of encryption other than WEP, which I wont use for obvious reasons.

All of which leaves me a bit stuck. Looking for any suggestions on how to fix this problem. I also potentially have a DIR655 which could be used it its of any use.

Should I just try an return the TP-link for a refund, seeing as its not really capable of what it was advertised as, (well securely anyway).

Should i find a router which supports DDwrt or some such and install one of those third party firmwares which should support all this jaz?

THanks for all your help.

You could use a different approach to security such as MAC address filtering and not broadcasting the SSID, obviously its not 100% secure but it would likely discourage your average kiddyscript.

I would return the AP and get something that support a decent firmware personally.

xoddoza

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#362562 3-Aug-2010 18:29

Any reccomendations? I'm assuming that a router with the ddwrt firmware etc would be suitable even though its being used as an AP not a router?

PANiCnz

990 posts

Ultimate Geek

#362592 3-Aug-2010 19:33

DD-WRT or one of the various variants should provide the functionality you require. The WRT54GL would be the easiest option to source locally. I've personally got one of the original WRT54G's running Tomato and its a very good router. I believe ASUS make a number of routers that are also compatible with the firmware. Realistically there wont be much difference between the different brands/models once the firmware is applied, just make sure the one you buy has all the features you want e.g. 802.11a/b/c/n, ethernet ports etc.

Oldhat

180 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#362633 3-Aug-2010 20:59

You could look at getting a Netgear 834G as this supports WDS using WPA using the latest firmware. I have just recently setup two 834G's using WDS and it appears to be running quite successfully.

They seem to be selling at about $100 and this would also give you the ability to switch to a adsl connection if required in the future.

From what I have read, you generally need to look at devices from the same manufacturer to hope to get WPA enabled.

xoddoza

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#362639 3-Aug-2010 21:04

Thanks for all the advice, i'm looking into a WRT54 series with DDwrt as that would help sort another problem i've got out :) Failing that i'll try a Netgear one or think about switching.

Will post back with results!

Ragnor

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#363027 4-Aug-2010 14:56

Yeah DD-WRT or Tomato in client wireless bridge mode should do what you want.

xoddoza

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#363823 5-Aug-2010 18:51

thanks for the help everyone.

Got a V1.1 WRT54GL with a version ddwrt on it and it all seems to be working perfectly once setup. Certainly some impressive firmware in terms of feature set.