Geek Thread - The Bridge Works!

[crokett]

Oh one more thing, the router database also includes links to the firmware upgrade instructions for your router or a router you are thinking of getting. There is a chance on any upgrade you can turn the router into a brick. With the linksys I just upgraded, it apparently happens often - there are 4 steps and 3 files that need to be applied. So if you decide to try this, just remember you might end up with a dead router.

[phi1l]

OK, .. you Inspired me to re-visit the router bridge configuration. I had looked into it a couple of years ago, & there was something (I don't remember what now) about it that appeared to be a deal breaker. Anyway, I looked up the set up procedure & the description of what I would get & it seemed OK now.

I have 2 computers on the second floor, with the rest in the basement. I have been using a wireless adapter in on of those & then using the windows network bridge to the other. That set up works OK .. sort of, but it can be grumpy when starting up., & if you want the 2nd computer running only, you still have to have the first computer on.

So, I took my spare router up stairs & cabled everything up, configured the router as specified. Reboot..... no joy...

.. noticed that the bridge router is trying to connect on channel six, but the base router is on channel 4, .... hmmmm

It turns out the bridge router is trying to connect to the neighbor's router.
Finally discovered on the Status->Wireless page, the button to tell it to a Site Survey & from the survey results, you can specify which router to bridge to. Now both routers are on the same channel


reconfigured both routers for no encryption .. it works!!!!

reconfigure both routers making absolutely double sure both router have the identical encryption parameters ... no works

... read up on the dd-wrt encryption parameters....

It turns out that I have my Base router configured to be the most flexible with "WPA2 personal mixed" Security mode, and "TKIP+AES" for WPA algorithm. But for the Bridge router you need to specify one or the other in those categories. "WPA2 Personal" and "AES" on the Bridge worked!!!!

[crokett]

Glad you got it going. For me I had to disable MAC filtering on the primary router to get it to work, even though I had the MAC for the bridge included in the filter list. I am not entirely happy about that, but my main router isn't broadcasting an SSID and I am out in the boonies anyway.

[sscherin]

I have mostly the same setup..

Cable Model/Wifi AP bridged to a WRT54G and a WAP54g.
The WAP is on the Dish VIP722 and the WRT feeds a desktop & laser printer..

Setup works great.

Now I need to see what fun I can have with the 2 SPA2012 PSTN to VOIP boxes I have.

[cwithboat]

Which satellite service are you using? Here in the middle of nowhere, Maine, neither dsl/cable or wireless can reach me!

Too bad you are so far away. I have a Hughes Net satellite receiver and antenna free for anyone who needs them. It only took 10 years for DSL to show up here.

[phi1l]

Glad you got it going. For me I had to disable MAC filtering on the primary router to get it to work, even though I had the MAC for the bridge included in the filter list. I am not entirely happy about that, but my main router isn't broadcasting an SSID and I am out in the boonies anyway.

For extra security, I locate my Router on the floor in the basement against the wall nearest the street, that way only my my wireless devices inside the house can see my router.

[phi1l]

Glad you got it going. For me I had to disable MAC filtering on the primary router to get it to work, even though I had the MAC for the bridge included in the filter list.

You know, you can get around that using DD-WRT by having DHCP asign static leases. On you base router, set the maximum DHCP users to 0, then go to the Services->sevices page & assign each device (MAC address) a name & IP address. that way only computers with those MAC addresses will be able to connect to your base router.

It's sort of like having static IPs but they are determined by the router DHCP server instead of at the device.

[crokett]

You know, you can get around that using DD-WRT by having DHCP asign static leases. On you base router, set the maximum DHCP users to 0, then go to the Services->sevices page & assign each device (MAC address) a name & IP address. that way only computers with those MAC addresses will be able to connect to your base router.

It's sort of like having static IPs but they are determined by the router DHCP server instead of at the device.

Thanks. Most of my devices use static leases anyway. I like knowing what IP address each one has but still use DHCP - easier to configure it at the router than have to go to each individual machine. I didn't think of that. I will do that.

[cgallery]

Thanks. Most of my devices use static leases anyway. I like knowing what IP address each one has but still use DHCP - easier to configure it at the router than have to go to each individual machine. I didn't think of that. I will do that.

If you're using MAC addresses as your only security, you aren't very secure. You probably already know that, but I thought I'd mention it.

[crokett]

It isn't my only security but I knew that already. It just has to be good enough. I am out in the boonies and expect that there are other, easier to crack targets (like unsecured networks) much closer to the hackers.