Can I set up wireless bridge with 2 dlink DIR-655 routers?

[imported_Zvi]

Hi All,

I have dlink dir-655 router connected to broadband. All that on the top floor. On the bottom floor I have my TV, game consoles, etc. So, to run network cable from the top floor is not practical. What I am hoping for is to have wireless device to connect to router. Currently both PS3, and xbox have g connection. I wanted to have wireless bridge connecting to my router wirelessly, and connect PS3 and xbox to the bridge with ethernet cables.
From what I read in product descriptions there are some products available allowing to do just that, except all of them are g, not n.
Later I found out that DIR-655 can work in bridge mode, after firmware upgrade. I've upgraded fw on mine, and yes bridge mode shows up in options panel.
My question is can I use second DIR-655 as a wireless bridge? DLINK techsupport says no, bridge has to be connected to the router via wire. I'm not sure I understand what's the point then. Am I missing something? And is there any other product out that that will allow me to do that?

 

[JackMDS]

I do not think that your Wireless Router can be connected the way you want it.

Unfortunately, due to marketing considerations the naming of functions and type of devices and the End-User Network arena is Not following the conventional use of terms in networking.

The word Bridge is use in conjunction of few configurations that are not related one to the other.

What you are looking for is a second Router that can act as a driverless client 9aka as Consumers Bridge.

See here,

I do not think that the 655 can do it. In matter of fact none of the preN (Draft what ever) is capable to work as Driverless Client.

Some of the Buffalo, and Linksys, and few others (Not Netgear and D-Link) 802.11g Routers can work as clients with 3rd party firmware.

BTW. This is one of the reasons that currently investing over $100 in a Draft Route is Not a Good idea.

 

[nweaver]

sounds like they are abusing the word "bridge". They should be saying "AP", even though an AP is really just a bridge between wired and wireless.

 

[Madwand1]

Some people report success with client bridge mode with some Linksys draft-n routers and beta DD-WRT firmware. Note however that different models and revisions of these routers contain different chipsets and not all are supported by DD-WRT (the Broadcom-based ones tend to be supported, not the Atheros ones (same as in the DIR-655)).

But.. those are expensive routers from a different brand with a draft-n chipset and a beta third-party firmware -- risks are high and bets are off. If going this route, you should try to ensure a few things:

1. enough money (perhaps to burn)
2. revision info of the router you're going to buy
3. support from DD-WRT for that model & revision in beta firmware
4. state of that beta firmware, esp. with respect to draft-n compatibility with Atheros-based devices
5. state of that beta firmware with respect to client bridge mode

The DD-WRT forums might tell you about 3-5.

 

[imported_Zvi]

Thanks guys. Indeed this is not a good news for me. Dlink did announce device that i want, that is wireless media AP I guess, but it's Q3 - http://www.dlink.com/press/pr/?prid=329

 

[gigamike]

Crap, I wish I'd seen this thread yesterday. I even called D-Link tech support (I have another DIR-655) and was told "sure, the DIR-655 supports wireless bridging with the 1.04 firmware," but after an hour or so of trying and failing, I called tech support again and this time was told that the DIR-655 only supports wired bridging. Stupid. Hopefully Compusa will let me exchange it for a Linksys that supports DD-WRT.

Despite the DIR-655 being a "Draft N" model, I've been thrilled with it, especially with the gigE lan ports. Too bad D-Link has soured me on their brand with the abuse of the phrase "wireless bridging."

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: gigamikeI even called D-Link tech support (I have another DIR-655) and was told "sure, the DIR-655 supports wireless bridging with the 1.04 firmware," but after an hour or so of trying and failing, I called tech support again and this time was told that the DIR-655 only supports wired bridging.

gigamike welcome to AnandTech Network forum.

D-Link tech support reminds me of the old good days. Every body is selling the Brooklyn Bridge.

References to "selling the Brooklyn Bridge" abound in American culture, sometimes as examples of rural gullibility but more often in connection with an idea that strains credulity. For example, "If you believe that, I have a wonderful bargain for you?

Quote from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Bridge

 

[imported_Zvi]

Can this work?

Linksys WRT330N WIRELESS-N Gaming Router, Access Point, Firewall And Gigabit Switch.
So, if I connect that to my wireless network and then connect PS3 and xbox to it via ethernet.

 

[JackMDS]

If the Access point can be configured as Client it might work.

Why Might? Coz the preN are not good friends with other Network wireless devices.

Wireless Modes - http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

Wireless Bridging - http://www.ezlan.net/bridging.html

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Zvi
Can this work?

Linksys WRT330N WIRELESS-N Gaming Router, Access Point, Firewall And Gigabit Switch.
So, if I connect that to my wireless network and then connect PS3 and xbox to it via ethernet.

Don't think so. It's essentially a wireless router, and these typically don't have client bridging functionality built-in. And there's no indication of such functionality in the online manual.

It's best hope would have been beta DD-WRT, but it's not on the supported HW list for DD-WRT, and there are indications that due to its chipset, it's not likely to be supported any time soon. You might have better luck with the WRT350N, but even then only for specific HW revisions, and with other risks as previously mentioned in this thread.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Supported_Devices

 

[JackMDS]

Madwand1, the OP does not need a primer Wireless Router, but a secondary device to Bridge to the WRT330N.

Do you suggest to buy a second WRT330N to serve as a Bridge?

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Madwand1, the OP does not need a primer Wireless Router, but a secondary device to Bridge to the WRT330N.

Do you suggest to buy a second WRT330N to serve as a Bridge?

No, as I understand it, the OP already has a DIR-655, and is wondering about what other devices might be able to connect to it as a draft-n wireless client bridge. This is a good question, but I'm pretty sure the WRT330N can't do this at present.

 

[Madwand1]

SMC has just announced a draft-n client mode bridge / access point -- the SMCWEB-N

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/content/view/30130/97/
http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?e...Code=EN%5FUSA&pid=1635

It's a step ahead, but "interesting" how this "300 Mb/s" product comes with only a 10/100 switch.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Boy, the current draft-N market sure is a mess. I remember back in the good old days of "g", you could find routers that would implement WDS, client AP mode, you name it they had it. Now they seem to be stripping down useful features as a cost-to-market thing in these new N routers. Blah.