How to connect wired clients of TWO routers that are connected through WDS

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Shujee

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Oct 24, 2013
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So I have two routers running:

Router 1: ADSL Modem router (some Huawei model provided by my phone company) to which my phone line is connected. Machine A is connected to this router through wire. This router's IP is 192.168.1.1 and is running DHCP.

Router 2: TP-Link router (MR3420) to which Machine B is connected through wire. This router's IP is 192.168.1.2. This router is NOT running DHCP. Machine B therefore has been assigned static IP 192.168.1.15. Turning on DHCP results in the router no longer being accessible from Machine B.

The two routers are connected through WDS, which is running fine. A few things about the current setup:


  • I can see WDS Status = Run in admin dashboard of router 2.
    I can ping Router 2 from Machine A.
    I cannot ping Router 1 from Machine B.
    I cannot ping either machine from the other machine.
    I cannot access the Internet from Machine B.
I have spent the whole day today just trying to figure out what's wrong with the setup. Can anyone help?
 
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RealBeast

RealBeast

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Sep 13, 2010
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The big problem with using WDS is that there is no real set of standards, so it often does not work properly (even using all the same brand equipment).

If your TP-Link MR3420 is version 1.x it will run dd-wrt firmware and then you can use CLIENT MODE, which should work for you. Do not attempt to use dd-wrt with your D-Link router if it is version 2.x, as it will be bricked (but repairable).

The other option that will work quite well is to buy a pair of good powerline adapters (AV1200 MIMO for about $50) if you cannot run an Ethernet cable, and then set up the TP-Link as an AP.
 
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Shujee

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Oct 24, 2013
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Partial success! I ended up flashing Router 2 with OpenWrt and can finally access the Internet (provided by Wifi of Router 1) on Machine B now!

But I still can't ping Machine A or Router 1 from Machine B. I have installed the relayd package too and bridged the LAN and WAN connections, to create a bridged repeater connection as some call it, which if I understand it correctly, would theoretically allow all the machines connected to either Router 1 or Router 2 to access each other as if they were connected to a single router; plus also allowing machines connected to Router 2 to access the Internet.

Hope someone can help me to resolve this last remaining problem.
 
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jimmysmitty

jimmysmitty

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Oct 5, 2007
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No and if so then you need to buy the same brand and model such as Asus, Cisco etc so they are made to work together. My Asus router has controls built in so one becomes the Virtual Controller and the rest become just APs so they are not burdened with security and routing beyond what they need to.

It is also why it is best to buy a modem only for your ISP connection and use a separate router.

Or be like my boss and use a Extreme Networks Switch, Sonicwall and Aruba wireless AP. You know, industrial grade.
 
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