WDS configuration on SMCWBR14-G, SMCWEBT-G, and SMC7904WBRA
For the last three days after my day job ends, I immersed myself in configuring WDS on SMC wireless products. WDS is very usefull when you want to extend your wireless coverage using access point as a repeater.
I love to use SMC product because the coverage is awesome comparing to other brands I ever tried.
When you work in 3 floors office made from solid concrete, this will be excellent choice, just put the access point in 2nd floor and you will get good signal in every floor.
OK lets cut the crap and get into the steps of configuring succesful WDS, in this experiment I used 3 devices although I only used 2 of them eventually :
SMCWBR14-G
A wireless broadband router
SMCWEBT-G
A wireless access point/bridge
SMC7904WBRA
A wireless broadband router + ADSL modem in one box
- First thing you need to know that this WDS feature is not so standard, avoid using wireless device from different manufacturer.
- Assign a static IP address to each AP, don’t configure it as a DHCP client.
- Set all APs to the same (clear) channel, observe the neighbouring wireless networks channel using site survey utility, avoid using the same channel, the best choice is 1,6, or 11.
- Set each AP to a different SSID, in most forum you will told to set the same SSID, don’t do this.
- Gather the MAC addresses of each AP and registered it in the WDS section, don’t put AP own’s mac address.
- Activated DHCP server in the wireless router (SMCWBR14-G or SMC7904WBRA), don’t activated DHCP server in other side of your wireless device.
- Try to connect to the internet using your notebook, make sure you got an IP from DHCP server via repeater (AP in repeater mode).
If you can not find other SSID in the WDS menu by pressing rescan button in SMC7904WBRA , make sure your mode is in 802.11b/802.11g.
You can email me when need the latest firmware for SMC7904WBRA (ver 0.47) .
notice:
This posting contrary with my previous post as my knowledge increase “access point didnt work in repeater mode” , please ignore that posting, and follow this newer posting.
