Using a ddwrt router as a wireless ethernet switch?

Jamesyboyjim · 4 Feb 2016 at 12:45

Hi all, basically, I know this wont be too difficult to find a guide for but I'm not entirely what it will be called, basically I have an old tp link router I have used for years with dd wrt installed. No issues there but it is only wireless n and now I have a wireless ac router so this has been surpassed.

I have a few devices I want to give internet access to but only have Ethernet, I thought about buying homeplugs but why spend money if I don't have to

I want the old router to connect wirelessly to the new router for an internet connection and plug a few Ethernet devices into it.

Would it be called a wireless bridge? wireless switch? I'm not sure. I don't want the old router to act as a wifi extender or anything, just want it to be something I can plug Ethernet devices into.

bremen1874 · 4 Feb 2016 at 14:19

Try this.

The dd-wrt router will connect as a client device. From the main AP's point-of-view it'll be no different from any other wireless client.

It has the advantage that all of the configuration will be done on the dd-wrt device.

Jamesyboyjim · 4 Feb 2016 at 14:39

bremen1874 said:
Try this.

The dd-wrt router will connect as a client device. From the main AP's point-of-view it'll be no different from any other wireless client.

It has the advantage that all of the configuration will be done on the dd-wrt device.

So it'll route internet traffic to the Ethernet devices I connect to it?

EDIT

Just had a look, this is exactly what I'm after! Thanks Bremen

now I can connect my bluray player and set top box to the client router via Ethernet and give them internet access via the wireless router/modem downstairs

joeyjojo · 4 Feb 2016 at 17:44

No you probably want client bridged, not client mode.

https://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Client_Bridged

The main difference is that in the former the devices won't be able to see each other on either side (the router will need to have NAT and DHCP on, etc.). In the latter it behaves basically as a "wireless switch". Much simpler. I run a Linksys E3000 as one to my main PC as it performs way better than USB dongles.

Some older firmwares don't have it as an option in which case you'll have to use plain client mode.

Edit: Also I'd recommend investigating newer releases than the "recommended" one. I was previously on a recommended E3000 one (15962) and recently upgraded to 28942 and it's way more reliable. If you share the model I could have a look.

bremen1874 · 4 Feb 2016 at 17:52

joeyjojo said:
No you probably want client bridged, not client mode.

Quite right, I linked the wrong page.

If it is only being used to give a couple of devices internet access then either version would be okay.

Orcvader · 4 Feb 2016 at 18:51

As above, client bridged will be better as it allows devices connected to the DD-WRT router to see devices on the main router and vice versa. Which TP-Link router is it? I had a TL-WR841N which I could never get to work in client bridge mode and searching around others had issues with this model as well.

Jamesyboyjim · 5 Feb 2016 at 08:47

Orcvader said:
As above, client bridged will be better as it allows devices connected to the DD-WRT router to see devices on the main router and vice versa.

Thank you, thinking about it, one of the devices I'll need to ftp into so being able to see it across the whole network is essential.

Orcvader said:
Which TP-Link router is it? I had a TL-WR841N which I could never get to work in client bridge mode and searching around others had issues with this model as well.

I believe its that exact model! I'll have a play over the weekend.

I had an old Linksys 54g router I used to do the same with years ago which worked perfectly, I just couldn't remember how I did it, hence this thread.

I binned it recently though, I wonder if I'll regret that decision! :eek: