Need a Wifi access point? I think.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2017, 10:38:51 pm
content: I want a device that receives wifi and spits it out over a 10/100 connection. Any recommendations for a unit that just works well?

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2017, 11:16:38 pm
content: If you only need one Ethernet and one device, look up "wifi media bridge". These are devices meant specifically for that (i.e. put an Xbox on an existing wireless network) and are usually cost effective.If you need multiple devices, a gigabit switch... many wifi routers have a "media bridge" mode , e.g.https://www.asus.com/support/faq/1005259(the media bridge mode on the right)It can be difficult to know for sure that a router has a media bridge mode (read the detailed specs or the manual).

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 12:21:44 am
content: Thanks for the response. The Media bridge would do, shall have a look around.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2017, 06:43:36 pm
content: Most WiFi routers have their WiFi bridged to their LAN connection already by default so they can be used as a WiFi bridge by ignoring the WAN connection.I have had good results configuring the older Ubiquiti 802.11n Nanostation and Picostation products in bridge mode for this type of application. A Nanostation Loco is not much larger than a pack of cards, has a directional antenna for better than normal RF performance, and uses PoE so only a single cable needs to be used to locate it in an ideal position.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 12:43:59 pm
content: I thought the bridge was for the LAN to bridge to the Wifi and not the Wifi to act as a bridge with another wifi point?

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 03, 2017, 06:31:27 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on February 03, 2017, 12:43:59 pmThere is some confusion of terms where WiFi meets ethernet.WiFi clients connect to WiFi access points. Bridging is more of an ethernet term for connecting segments to create a broadcast domain. If I "bridge" from a WiFi client to a WiFi access point, then the WiFi link just becomes another segment of part of an ethernet broadcast domain and the separate ethernet segments operate like one.So a WiFi "router" always has its WiFi "bridged" to its LAN network but may have a separate "bridge" mode to connect to the WAN port or to allow the WiFi to connect to another access point.Note that you do not *have* to use bridge mode to connect separate ethernet networks but it is the simple way. Without bridging, IP routing has to be used with things like routing protocols or static routes.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 04, 2017, 03:15:11 am
content: Get any decent router that supports DD-WRT. It's very easy to configure to work backwards.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 10:54:15 am
content: I do have a TL-WR703N with OpenWRT but no idea how to set it up. I tried the other night and I just did not know what I was doing. I just want to connect to the Wifi and spit the data out over Ethernet. Any simple step by step instructions on how to achieve this?

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 04:11:34 pm
content: https://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/recipes/relayclient

author: Chalcogenide
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2017, 06:16:31 pm
content: Many WiFi repeaters support the so-called "bridge mode" that does exactly what you want: the repeater connects to the WiFi and lets a device connected to its LAN port access the WiFi network. This is probably the cheapest and simplest way of solving the problem.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 12:27:25 am
content: I use a few small TP-Link "routers" for this purpose:http://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-5506_TL-WR802N.htmlThey are cheap and small, and operate in a "client" mode in which they join an SSID and bridge through the wireless and wired ethernet connections. Not necessarily a brand I would use for much else, but as a wireless bridge they do a decent job.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 11:20:26 am
content: Thanks for the help. I shall have a play with the TpL-WR703N and openWRT.Out of curiousity does the TL-WR802N do this straight out of the box? You dont need to reflash it with any other software?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 03:39:07 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on February 06, 2017, 11:20:26 amYep, it supports it with the factory firmware. See:http://www.tp-link.com/us/faq-1323.html

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2017, 02:41:36 pm
content: I bought the 802N and the thing was so easy to setup up. 2 mins and everything sorted. Thanks for this, I am sure I could have gotten the 702 to work but this one is so easy. I did a speed test and it flies!All good, thanksTrev