Posted by gldnspud on the 16th of February, 2007 at 10:57 pm under Uncategorized.    This post has 3 comments.

Our Linksys WAP54G seems to be serving double-duty. I purchased it along with a WRT54GS (in the venerable WRT54G family) in order to create a bridge between two wired networks, and to provide some decent control over the Hughesnet connection.

Originally, I set up the WAP54G in "AP client" mode, where it acted as a client to the WRT54GS and performed duties as a bridge. There were no notebooks in use at the time, so I was satisfied with this for a while.

Then I started using a MacBook Pro to replace the Mac Mini I had been using, and desired mobility. The antenna is too weak in either of them to reach the WRT54GS, so I figured I'd set things up like so: set the WAP54G to "Wireless Repeater" mode, turn on AirPort on each Mac, and just do without access to the boxes that are still wired.

That worked wonderfully for the 802.11g devices. Much to my delight, it also worked wonderfully for the wired devices -- my WAP54G is now acting as both a repeater and a bridge!

See below for some configuration notes.

WRT54GS settings

Wireless / Basic Wireless Settings:

  • Network mode: G only
  • SSID: abcxyz (use whatever you want)
  • Channel: 6

Wireless / Wireless Security:

  • Security mode: WEP
  • Default transmit key: 1
  • Encryption: 128 bits 26 hex
  • Passphrase: (pick something)

WAP54G settings

Setup / AP Mode

  • First, set to "AP client". Use Site Survey to select and configure the network set up on the WRT54GS. Save settings.
  • Next, set to "Wireless repeater". Copy the "Remote Access Point's LAN MAC address" setting from the "AP client" section to the "Wireless repeater" section. Save settings.

Wireless / Basic Wireless Settings

  • Mode: G only
  • SSID: abcxyz (same as on WRT54GS)
  • Channel: 6

Wireless / Wireless Security - Mode: WEP - Encryption: 104 / 128-bit (26 hex) - Passphrase: (same as on WRT54GS)



* Required

Posted on the 12th of March, 2007 at 7:06 pm.

This is exactly what I needed to know for my network. Thanks for the tip!

Posted on the 26th of May, 2007 at 12:51 pm.

This looks close to what I need. I am trying to access a local wifi hot spot using a Cantenna hooked to a Linksys WAP54G, using the 54G as a repeater and also use a Linksys WRT54GS. I need help with setting it up.

RC Pilot - 26 May 2007

Posted on the 31st of December, 2007 at 8:37 am.

This info in this post was a great help! I was trying to figure out how to resolve the issue of the weak wireless signal I get in my back bedroom.

Thanks!

– Jeremy