Overview

This tutorial will explain how to use your DD-WRT router as a Repeater or Access Point.

“DD-WRT is a Linux based alternative Open-Source firmware suitable for a great variety of WLAN routers and embedded systems.
The main emphasis lies on providing the easiest possible handling while at the same time supporting a great number of functionality within the framework of the respective hardware platform used.”

With DD-WRT you can turn you simple router into a very powerful device.
While there are many uses to DD-WRT we will explain how to use it as a Wireless Repeater (Extender) to an existing WLAN without the use of WDS.
This feature is done by “slicing” the WLAN adapter into Virtual Adapters:

• The first as a client with bridge to the main WLAN
• The second as an Access Point enabling other clients to connect

You can create more then one Virtual WLAN with different SSID/Security Settings and have several WLANs broadcasting from the same DD-WRT device.
Just don’t overload the CPU otherwise it will freeze every few minutes.

We will assume a clear default settings start and a cable connected directly to the DD-WRT router.
Don’t apply settings until you are done configuring, use save between steps.

1. Log into to the Router Admin Website and set a username and password
2. First you need to Set your Repeater IP address: For example If the main Router has 10.0.0.1 then the repeater will have 10.0.0.2
3. Go to Wireless -> Basic Settings and change to Client Bridge
4. Match SSID to your original WLAN SSID
5. Go to Wireless -> Wireless Security
6. Match your security settings to your original WLAN security settings (Start without security on both, check everything works and then enable security)
7. Go to Wireless -> Basic Settings and add another Virtual Interface
8. Match SSID to your original WLAN SSID
9. Match your security settings to your original WLAN security settings
10. Now you can apply settings

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Adam Mallul

DevOps/IT Specialist, Musician.
IT Manager – Faculty of Exact Sciences, Bar-Ilan University
Personal Website