Trouble with Wireless Bridge

[Skullpuck]

Hello,

I just purchased a new wireless router form Monoprice: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10521&cs_id=1052102&p_id=8070&seq=1&format=2

I obviously took a huge risk since it's basically a repackaged WinStar with 0 instructions.

I'm using it as a bridge while connecting to my Linksys WRT54GL running Tomato 1.28.

I purchased 2x9dBi antenna extenders to attach to the Monoprice router.

With the help of Monoprice's technical support I was able to set it up as an ethernet bridge but I do not think it is working as a wireless bridge.

I see no noticable difference in wireless strength throughout my small 3 bedroom home. There are no concrete walls between the two routers.

I honestly do not think Wireless bridging is enabled but I could be mistaken.

Has anyone else had similar issues or know of something I can try? I'd like to be able to use my new router without having to send it back and buy another Linksys.

Thanks.

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

So I'm assuming that you loaded the new router with Tomato as well...the same version as the WRT?

If no, then I wouldn't expect this to work at all.

If yes, then you should have the same SSID and channel set for both devices. You can verify if the system is bridging by plugging a PC into the wired port of the "free" side of the bridge. If you get an address and network, then you are bridged and working.

On the tomato status page you should also see the wired "captured" end of the bridge broadcasting and you can see it's strength.

I'm not sure why there is any confusion about whether your bridge is working or not. In my experience, it works or doens't and you know this by the fact that you are either getting to the internet or you aren't.

 

[Skullpuck]

It's working because I can see the router in my connected devices list. I was able to access the internet while connected to the free router via ethernet.

However, my problem is that I do not see any noticeable difference in wireless strength. It's the same and in some spots worse than before.

The new router is not using tomato, it's using some kind of modified tomato firmware that was created by Monoprice.

I would assume that adding 9dBi antennas to the free router would increase signal strength around the house.

 

[bobdole369]

It's working because I can see the router in my connected devices list. I was able to access the internet while connected to the free router via ethernet.

However, my problem is that I do not see any noticeable difference in wireless strength. It's the same and in some spots worse than before.

The new router is not using tomato, it's using some kind of modified tomato firmware that was created by Monoprice.

I would assume that adding 9dBi antennas to the free router would increase signal strength around the house.

That would be a poor assumption. 9DBi gain over what? What was originally installed? How much loss in any transmission line? In what direction is the gain, so in what direction are the nulls? In my experience the gains quoted by manufacturers are often exaggerated

Also how are you measuring signal strength? do you have a field meter? Or is it by the RSSI indicated?

If you were able to ping something on the other side of the bridge, well obviously its doing "something" right?

 

[JackMDS]

Are talking about a Bridge or a WDS/Repeater?

In Bridge/Client Modes the device connects via Wireless to the source (main router)and the computers are plugged via wire to its RJ-45 ports.

http://www.ezlan.net/Wireless_Modes.html

If you need WDS that is what you do.

Start with One affordable Wireless Router that can do WDS (the reason to start with WDS capable Router is that in case you need to add more Wireless WDS hardware the original Router has to support it).

If you are lucky and your environment is conducive to get covered with one Good Wireless Router and you are done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireles...ibution_System.

Buffalo-HP-54G, Linksys WRT54GL, and Asus, 520GU can do WDS when flashed with DD-WRT firmware.

It is a good idea to start with the Buffalo since it is a High Power Wireless Router that covers more distance to begin with, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833162134

Due to the added flexibility, it is better solution to choose Routers that can work with DD-WRT
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

http://meanderingpassage.com/2007/04...on-system-wds/

Using a Laptop loaded with Wirelessnetview, do a Wireless survey,
http://majorgeeks.com/WirelessNetView_d6102.html

According to the signal strength reading, identify spots that have strong signal. and spot with weak, or No signal.

Evaluate how you can cover the space and start placing WDS units.

Additional Wireless Routers in WDS Mode (Wireless Network - Configuration Modes. ) has to be placed in spots were the signal is good about Half way to the dead spots.

How many WDS units are needed? It depends on your specific environment (that is a good the reason to buying WDS units one at the time, try it, and decide on the Next step).

 

[Boobers]

I just bought a Monoprice MS-WN513N2 wireless-N router in hopes of using it as a bridge. It comes with zero instructions on setting up the bridge function, let alone the supposed WISP mode.

I'm trying to bridge this router, which is upstairs, to a Linksys E3000 router downstairs. I don't seem to be doing it correctly and the setup wizard is awful.

Any hints? (nudge, nudge, Monoprice guy!)

 

[Boobers]

I finally got it working...then Monoprice sent me this (which actually does work):

Wireless bridge configuration (internet connection comes from wifi)

1. Go to operation mode
2. Change it to bridge
3. Go to wireless
4. Change the mode to "client"
5. Set the SSID to the network you want it to connect to
6. Turn off broadcast ssid and set your encryption to whatever that network uses also.
7. Go to tcp/ip settings -> LAN interface
8. Disable the DHCP server
9. Set a static IP address for the LAN interface if remote access is necessary.
10. Go to firewall
11. Make sure port forwarding is disabled and any existing rules are deleted.
12. Enable Universal Repeater Mode (acting as AP and client simultaneously)
13. Enter IP from router you want to use

 

[wirednuts]

I finally got it working...then Monoprice sent me this (which actually does work):

Wireless bridge configuration (internet connection comes from wifi)

1. Go to operation mode
2. Change it to bridge
3. Go to wireless
4. Change the mode to "client"
5. Set the SSID to the network you want it to connect to
6. Turn off broadcast ssid and set your encryption to whatever that network uses also.
7. Go to tcp/ip settings -> LAN interface
8. Disable the DHCP server
9. Set a static IP address for the LAN interface if remote access is necessary.
10. Go to firewall
11. Make sure port forwarding is disabled and any existing rules are deleted.
12. Enable Universal Repeater Mode (acting as AP and client simultaneously)
13. Enter IP from router you want to use

thats nice of monoprice to help you like that. theyre really just a retail store, and thats a lot more advice then you would even get from say best buy. i have seen other examples where it shows that monoprice actually has some outstanding customer support... very knowledgeable about the products they sell.

 

[BobbyTheGeek]

I too purchased a Monoprice 8070 Wireless-N router to extend my existing network in a room where there are no cables. It worked fine with a PC, but not with a Tivo, which is one of the intended devices. The Tivo needs a few ports open, and they seem to be blocked.

I already had a long standing linksys E4200 router which is the DHCP server and gateway to the internet. It plugs into the cable modem, 3 switches, an HP MFC printer, and a WinXP PC.

I want the 8070 to connect to the main Linksys router via wifi, and provide internet connectivity to the four 8070 LAN ports. I plan to connect a Tivo and a bluRay player to the 8070 by plugging in RJ45 Cat6 cables.

Monoprice sent and I followed the instructions in 8070_bridge_111026.pdf to configure the 8070 as a bridge. Before starting, I reset the 8070. As instructed in the document, the firewall settings are not enabled, and all ports, IP addresses, etc. are empty, having never been entered. I verified this by looking at each firewall screen.

The configured 8070 worked in my tests with a PC plugged into the 8070 LAN1 port. Performance was very good.

The Tivo was working fine when plugged into a RC-410LX switch on the network.

I moved the configured 8070 and the Tivo to an unwired room. I plugged the Tivo's Ethernet cable in to the 8070 and reconfigured the Tivo network settings to make a new connection using DHCP. The Tivo connected successfully, but its port test complained about blocked outbound ports. The Tivo cannot operate with blocked ports.

I contacted Monoprice tech support and they opened a case, but I haven't heard a response yet. I'll post when I get a response.

 

[386DX]

I too purchased a Monoprice 8070 Wireless-N router to extend my existing network in a room where there are no cables. It worked fine with a PC, but not with a Tivo, which is one of the intended devices. The Tivo needs a few ports open, and they seem to be blocked.

I already had a long standing linksys E4200 router which is the DHCP server and gateway to the internet. It plugs into the cable modem, 3 switches, an HP MFC printer, and a WinXP PC.

I want the 8070 to connect to the main Linksys router via wifi, and provide internet connectivity to the four 8070 LAN ports. I plan to connect a Tivo and a bluRay player to the 8070 by plugging in RJ45 Cat6 cables.

Monoprice sent and I followed the instructions in 8070_bridge_111026.pdf to configure the 8070 as a bridge. Before starting, I reset the 8070. As instructed in the document, the firewall settings are not enabled, and all ports, IP addresses, etc. are empty, having never been entered. I verified this by looking at each firewall screen.

The configured 8070 worked in my tests with a PC plugged into the 8070 LAN1 port. Performance was very good.

The Tivo was working fine when plugged into a RC-410LX switch on the network.

I moved the configured 8070 and the Tivo to an unwired room. I plugged the Tivo's Ethernet cable in to the 8070 and reconfigured the Tivo network settings to make a new connection using DHCP. The Tivo connected successfully, but its port test complained about blocked outbound ports. The Tivo cannot operate with blocked ports.

I contacted Monoprice tech support and they opened a case, but I haven't heard a response yet. I'll post when I get a response.

First thing is to make sure your firewall on the 8070 is turned off. Then on the Cisco E4200 port forward the ports you need unblocked to the IP of the 8070. If you don't know what the IP of the 8070 is just look at the network information on any of the devices that's connected to the 8070 via the Cat6 and look for the IP of the gateway. See if that works.

 

[BobbyTheGeek]

First thing is to make sure your firewall on the 8070 is turned off. Then on the Cisco E4200 port forward the ports you need unblocked to the IP of the 8070. If you don't know what the IP of the 8070 is just look at the network information on any of the devices that's connected to the 8070 via the Cat6 and look for the IP of the gateway. See if that works.

Thanks for your suggestions. I fear my post must have been unclear, so I apologize to all who read it. I'm open to constructive suggestions for improvement.

I won't be able to implement your suggestions for a few reasons:
- As I mentioned in my original post, the 8070 firewall is already turned off and verified. I will, nevertheless triple-check.
- forwarding the Tivo ports from the Linksys (gateway) to the 8070 in Bridge mode would route traffic destined for other Tivos in the house to the 8070.
- I'm not certain of this, but I think if I were to use port forwarding, ports would have to be forwarded to the Tivo, not the 8070.
- I do know the IP address of the 8070 since I set it manually.
- The devices connected to the 8070 LAN ports have no settings for the 8070, since it is not the gateway, which is the job of the Linksys router.