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.
hi,
I have a BT 2WIRE wireless router that I use on my main internet connection. I also have a SMC7904WBRA which is currently redundant.
I would like to be able to use the SMC7904WBRA as a repeater so that i can wire my XBOX to the SMC7904WBRA and be able to access the Lan and internet.
Is this possible?
Thanks!
Ashley
Comment by ashley — January 3, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Yes you can, just use the 4 ports of SMC7904WBRA. Connect 1 port to your xbox, and the other port to your LAN.
Arrange to connect by wire or wirelessly to your other wireless router.
Comment by crypty — July 5, 2007 @ 2:53 pm
hi there, i just brought a Mac Pro i need to connect it with my SMC7904WBRA but Mac Pro can detect it. But there’s error of joint in Mac Pro airport. Can you help me to solve the problem, pls!
Thanks!
Comment by soo jen-li — July 14, 2007 @ 8:17 am
It seem you have problem with WEP/WPA, disable the WEP or WPA first and try to re-connect. When connected re-configure your WEP/WPA to make it more secure.
If the problem persist, make sure you configure your Mac Pro’s IP address to obtain automatically from SMC7904WBRA.
Comment by crypty — July 17, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
Hi,
I want to connect two SMC7904WBRA2 with the WDS feature; I tried different configuration but still have no solution :
I activated the wds on the two SMC7904WBRA2, no WLAN can be used, and each router can’t detect the other one (different channel)
same thing with same channel
I deactivated wds (same channel) both router can see each other
But I can’t join the two network, I have enabled and disabled DHCP but still not working
can you help ?
thank you very much
Comment by ahmed jerbi — August 15, 2007 @ 10:33 am
hi again,
I found the solution :
To use the WDS you have to deseable th WMM in WIRELESS> Advanced Setting
it works !
Comment by ahmed jerbi — August 16, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
The most important in configuring WDS are to set it in 54 Mbps mode and using the same channel.
Comment by crypty — August 17, 2007 @ 11:07 pm
Hi,
Why I can not connect 2unit of SMC WEBT-G in to SMC 7904WBRA? I seems like conflict (because all the LED in WEBTG & WBRA is flashing simultaneously). But if I connect only 1 AP, there is no problem. I already change the IP addr, SSID and channel w/ different addr and name, but the problem is still there. Any way out? Thanks for your help.
Comment by Irvan — November 22, 2007 @ 12:46 am
I am not sure about this, but please make sure to look into log of SMC WEBT-G and 7904WBRA. You will know what exactly the problem. Good luck.
Comment by oora — November 25, 2007 @ 8:02 am
i’m following ur instruction, but the internet won’t conected, i mean, the network is conected, but internet not. what am i missing ? help please
Comment by DIKA — June 11, 2008 @ 6:06 am