How to setup DD-WRT as a client bridge?

Scougar

Scougar

Scougar

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Retrospective update: I have flashed the E1200 with DD-WRT to be in client bridge mode (awesome!), and just done my E3000 to client mode as well with DD-WRT. I now am trying to decide what the heck to do with a WNDR4500 R900 router I picked up cheap.

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ORIGINAL POST BELOW:
I've just flashed a Linksys E1200 with DD-WRT and I'm having some issues getting it setup as a client bridge. By that I mean, I want to use it as a device I plug into a streaming players LAN port and possible an Xbox's LAN and then it simply hooks up via wi-fi to the existing router.

Now... it should be very straightforward, but it doesn't want to play ball.

Can someone please help me understand how I get it setup to do this please?
 
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Scougar said:
I've just flashed a Linksys E1200 with DD-WRT and I'm having some issues getting it setup as a client bridge. By that I mean, I want to use it as a device I plug into a streaming players LAN port and possible an Xbox's LAN and then it simply hooks up via wi-fi to the existing router.

Now... it should be very straightforward, but it doesn't want to play ball.

Can someone please help me understand how I get it setup to do this please?
Click to expand...

I have a document that goes thru setting one up, but cant attach it to my post
 
Are you able just to cut and paste the text?

I did find a more detailed guide on the e1200 dd-wrt wiki, but still not managed it. I think I'll have to have a closer look at the existing router setup, maybe I'm spec'ing something wrong.

EDIT: Managed to do it this time, and running with DHCP as well which is what I need. First time using DD-WRT. I can give my father-in-law a hook up for his blu-ray player and xbox. I bought the router brand new for 10 bucks so pretty happy about that :)

Here is the link I used: http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=51486

And the one with more details on the client bridge itself: http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridged


EDIT2: Strangely at this point I've not needed to disable the firewall settings, or even 'join' anything... it just works for some reason even with security enabled... which is nice.
 
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jfish said:
http://docdroid.net/qs39
Click to expand...

Brilliant thank you! I'm just learning this advanced (to me anyway) network stuff, and to achieve what I wanted, Repeated Bridge seemed the one I wanted, but all the documentation I was reading, was pointing to Client Bridge which is not something I had in in the Wireless Mode drop down. I only had the following:

  • AP
  • Client
  • AdHoc
  • Repeater
  • Repeater Bridge

I had already configured the other settings (which matched your guide) but I was still only seeing the primary router's SSID broadcast (apparent from the signal strength). Switched to Repeater Mode as per your guide and all appears to be working.

Why do both primary and secondary routers have to be on the same channel? I thought the bridge was via cable, not wifi? Would it not be best to have them on channels 1 and 6 to prevent collisions?

EDIT, nope my bridge between the two routers is Wireless, which is NOT what I want. I simply want the secondary router (DDWRT) to be a second wireless access point on the same subnet. My PC, which is wired to this secondary router, should route via the network lead to the primary router, not via wifi...
 
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Amraam said:
Brilliant thank you! I'm just learning this advanced (to me anyway) network stuff, and to achieve what I wanted, Repeated Bridge seemed the one I wanted, but all the documentation I was reading, was pointing to Client Bridge which is not something I had in in the Wireless Mode drop down. I only had the following:

  • AP
  • Client
  • AdHoc
  • Repeater
  • Repeater Bridge

I had already configured the other settings (which matched your guide) but I was still only seeing the primary router's SSID broadcast (apparent from the signal strength). Switched to Repeater Mode as per your guide and all appears to be working.

Why do both primary and secondary routers have to be on the same channel? I thought the bridge was via cable, not wifi? Would it not be best to have them on channels 1 and 6 to prevent collisions?

EDIT, nope my bridge between the two routers is Wireless, which is NOT what I want. I simply want the secondary router (DDWRT) to be a second wireless access point on the same subnet. My PC, which is wired to this secondary router, should route via the network lead to the primary router, not via wifi...
Click to expand...

how are the 2 routers promary and secondary connected together - is there a physical network cable between the 2 routers ?
 
I've had a Cisco E3000 sitting in the house for ages since I bought it for about 5 dollars (what is it with me and thrift shops lol). The 60 inch LG screen downstairs has built in wireless, but it's a complete pain in the butt. Each time you turn the TV on, it take ages to connect and often it loses the password, so you have to re-enter it again.

I got fed up of this, so I decided to flash my E3000 with DD-WRT like the e1200 I flashed earlier in this thread, and configured it as another client bridge. It can be a bit fiddly doing this as when changing the settings often you lose connection to the router lol. I had to reset the thing a few times.

Anyway... it's working flawlessly for my PS3 and the TV so far, and love the fact that you can fairly easily turn these older routers into something useful. I also soldered a USB connector to a fan so I can cool it, as I've heard they can sometimes run a little toasty. Works lovely with 5V :)

Now I have just got to decide what to do with the Netgear R900 that I picked up for 8 bucks lol. It is actually an R4500 that I have flashed to be a WNDR4500 instead :). (450 + 450 : 2.4ghz + 5Ghz, 2 usb ports etc).

Currently sitting with with the stock firmware until I decide what to do with it... which I actually can't think of anything useful right not. Suggestions welcome!
 
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Scougar said:
I've had a Cisco E3000 sitting in the house for ages since I bought it for about 5 dollars (what is it with me and thrift shops lol).

I got fed up of this, so I decided to flash my E3000 with DD-WRT like the e1200 I flashed earlier in this thread, and configured it as another client bridge. It can be a bit fiddly doing this as when changing the settings often you lose connection to the router lol. I had to reset the thing a few times.
Click to expand...

Thread revival!

That's a bargain, I got my E3000 for about £30 on ebay a few years ago and am using it in just the same way. Had it as a repeater bridge first, effectively a wifi range extender. Lately it's just acting as a modest switch.

It's good to have a few old ddwrt routers around though. I've got an old WRT54GS that's still performing useful functions too, most recently as a bridge for a non-wifi-enabled Youview box (like you were using it for your TV OP).

The tutorials are very easy to follow once you've used them a few times. Usually the worst that can happen is you change the router's IP and need to turn it off and on to refresh it.
 
Yeah, DD-WRT (and I assume things like Tomato) are highly valuable, and have made life easier for very little cost without having to run cable (as it isn't my house).

If I can figure out something useful to do with the Netgear R900 (Apparently a very nice router), then I will likely donate some money to the DD-WRT people.

I would actually like to have a third client bridge, but I think using something like the the R900 for basically one PC is pretty naff.
 
Even with an 80mm fan on the top of the E3000 it is unable to stay up that long. I think there is something wrong with the flash or something. It is very flakey booting up as well.

Something ain't right with it.

A shame as I spent an hour last night modding the top of it for the fan (Took it apart and drilled large holes in the top).

EDIT: I just tried another power brick (original is 12v 2A, and tried a 12v 5A I have for the R900). Has not crashed yet. (crossing fingers). Going to the garage and seeing if I can dig out another 12V that fits.

EDIT2: I did find another more suitable power suppy :-) Thought I had fixed it and seemed to be working reliably. Watched fear of the walking dead, then went to plug it into the TV... bottom line... I can't get the darn thing working again... tried reseting it, made no difference. Grr. I think this one isn't worth the effort any longer. Real shame, because the fan I put on, really cools this thing down to reasonable levels.
 
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