Question Devices connected to repeater cannot see devices connected to the main router.

[storm2]

I have ISP branded xPON wifi router (which is essentially rebranded AC1200 from Gigabit).
I have setup another Tenda router (AC10) as a repeater (tried both modes- WISP and Client+AP)
My PC is connected to the repeater.
I can access PC folders from Android phone via SMB only when the phone is connected to the repeater.
If I move around the house and my phone switches to the main router then the phone cannot connect to PC to access the folders via SMB.
How do i enable seamless connection between my phone and PC irrespective of whether the phone/PC is connected to the repeater or router.

 

[mikeymikec]

How is the Tenda router connected to the main router?

I suspect the reason why you can only access devices that are connected directly to the Tenda router is because the router set up its own IP network, DHCP range etc rather than letting the main router do all that. If it was set up with the latter approach, then all devices connected to either router should see each other on the same IP network as if there was only one router. Presumably the Tenda router has the main router listed as the default gateway.

I have a second wireless access point on my network which is actually an old ADSL router whose purpose is to extend the wifi range of my network; it's connected to the main router via mains networking adapters and I just gave it an IP address which is on the same IP network as the main router, switched off DHCP on the WAP, and anything that connects to the access point negotiates wireless with it as a distinct wifi network (with its own SSID and wifi key), and then the main router handles DHCP. All clients can see each other as they're on the same IP network.

 

[storm2]

How is the Tenda router connected to the main router?

I suspect the reason why you can only access devices that are connected directly to the Tenda router is because the router set up its own IP network, DHCP range etc rather than letting the main router do all that. If it was set up with the latter approach, then all devices connected to either router should see each other on the same IP network as if there was only one router. Presumably the Tenda router has the main router listed as the default gateway.

I have a second wireless access point on my network which is actually an old ADSL router whose purpose is to extend the wifi range of my network; it's connected to the main router via mains networking adapters and I just gave it an IP address which is on the same IP network as the main router, switched off DHCP on the WAP, and anything that connects to the access point negotiates wireless with it as a distinct wifi network (with its own SSID and wifi key), and then the main router handles DHCP. All clients can see each other as they're on the same IP network.

Tenda router connected to the main router wirelessly.
On Tenda interface it only gives 2 options while using repeater mode which are wisp and client+AP.
I checked all the menus but I dont see anywhere options to disable DHCP. Also no option to set the main router as the default gateway in Tenda.
Any thoughts where can I see these options?

 

[mikeymikec]

Tenda router connected to the main router wirelessly.
On Tenda interface it only gives 2 options while using repeater mode which are wisp and client+AP.
I checked all the menus but I dont see anywhere options to disable DHCP. Also no option to set the main router as the default gateway in Tenda.
Any thoughts where can I see these options?

Delve into 'Advanced Settings', I would guess.

 

[In2Photos]

Did you perform the quick setup of the Tenda before trying to set up the repeater mode? What is the IP address of each router?

 

[storm2]

Delve into 'Advanced Settings', I would guess.

I checked all the menus but no option.

 

[lantis3]

https://www.tendacn.com/faq/3137.html.

Apparently you should choose Client+AP mode

And you installed any SMB APP on the phone? Which one? Because Android system does not come with SMB functionality.

Between the WISP mode and Client + AP mode, the common points: Both of them can expand the WiFi coverage and enhance the Internet experience;

The difference:
WISP: After the repeating is completed, then IP address of the device that connected to AC10 is assigned by AC10;

Client+AP: After the repeating is completed, the IP address of the device connected to AC10 is assigned by the upper router.

 

[storm2]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

The issue is resolved now. All I had to do was to turn off the DHCP on Tenda repeater.

I got confused earlier and couldn't find the DHCP setting earleir in the router management page because Tenda doesn't show DHCP setting when already using as a repeater.

So i had to start off fresh by resetting the router and turning off DHCP first and then configuring it as a repeater.

 

[mikeymikec]

Thank you everyone for the replies.

The issue is resolved now. All I had to do was to turn off the DHCP on Tenda repeater.

I got confused earlier and couldn't find the DHCP setting earleir in the router management page because Tenda doesn't show DHCP setting when already using as a repeater.

So i had to start off fresh by resetting the router and turning off DHCP first and then configuring it as a repeater.

Good to hear!

One thing to bear in mind is that the whole 'repeater' business isn't a specific feature designed according to a compatible standard that all companies adhere to (whereas a wireless access point is a standardised feature), so what one company calls a repeater isn't the same as another company's implementation, nor is it near-guaranteed to work with existing equipment. Buying into such a feature either means it will work like it says straight out of the box or you'll need to get your hands dirty to try and get it working and maybe give up altogether when it doesn't work with your existing kit.

I used to sell and configure repeater products many years ago, but since mains networking came into the mainstream I found it to be a far more reliable solution. These days mesh units seem to be all the rage to replace repeater units with, but I've found them to be messy in a similar way you describe in your OP so I avoid them too, generally speaking.