WiFi Repeater mode headaches

[imported_GLO]

I have been a long time (7 years) Dlink user, however for the past couple of years i wanted to extend the wifi range to share my network with the neighbors.

From AP to furthest remote PC is only 25m. I use 7dbi hi gain antenna's, they help a bit but it still wasnt consistent enough. So i purchased a compatible Dlink AP Repeater, the DWL900AP+ but could not get that going.

Dlink replaced that with the DLink 2100AP with the Atheros chip but i still couldnt get it running, even after upgrading all the wifi nic's from the old DWL-520+ to the DWL-G520.

So i thought that maybe its my 4year old Dlink DI-714P+. This unit is rock solid with any direct connection but i could not get a repeater to run off it.

So i replaced it with an Asus WL-500g running DD-WRT v23sp2.

I then thought for a moment that i had the D!2100AP running in bridge mode, but again it was unstable. (for the record i can connect directly to the old 714P+ or new WL500g upto 23m from the AP)

The repeater is located at the back of the house only 18m from the AP with only internal walls to contend with. It is located up high and beside the perimeter brick wall.

The remote PC is no more than 7 meters away positioned in the neighbors house, on the closest wall to our common fence line.

Subsequently, i have just purchased the Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 unit that is WDS/repeater compatible. Its also DD-WRT compliant but i havent loaded it, until i am certain that it will work!

But low and behold, i cant get it to successfully repeat the AP signal.

I can see the MAC id using my laptop (Intel a/b/g wireless card) and can also see the AP MAC id. They both share the same channel and SSID, but i cant get a connection to the network from the Repeater!

Its totally frustrating and has become the bane of my existance.

Please help if you can. (I am slightly doubting myself now, as this problem has existed over a full hardware change!)

Thanks in advance.

 

[JackMDS]

Hmm, to begin with I am a little surprise of the DWL900AP+, I still use one with Linksys WRT54G and it is working well.

Run Netsunbler to make sure that you do not have an unusually noisy environment.

All I can say is that you should start by making sure that all the configuration and initial testing in the same Room were the Wireless source is.

25 meters (82 feet) with walls and other obstructions is out of the range for almost all Entry Level Wireless.

Here his a tutorial page for WDS with DD-WRT, http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3655041

 

[imported_GLO]

Hi JackMDS,

Thanks for your reply.
That tutorial looks interesting. I must ask that it appears that WDS must assign a new ip range for the network of PCs that it will be serving, yet 'Repeater mode' in principal would allow all PCs to be in the same subnet.

The later is the prefered situation and was the goal right from the beginning when i purchased the DWL-900AP+.

At present i am reluctant to flash DD-WRT to the brand new Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 as i cant locate the english firmware to revert back to incase things dont work out. (I can only see the Danish firmware)

As such, i prefer to try to set up the Buffalo in 'Repeater mode' which its advertised that it can do, but can it do it without assigning a new subent. Is this at all possible?


Here is the weak config:
AP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -25m - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Desktop Client
here the signal is very weak and fluctuates. 2 Brick walls in between.
A laptop can connect and maintain a very good signal @ 23m, on the otherside of the brick wall of the desktop client.


Here is what i am trying to achieve and i thinkg it should work, and cant figure out why?
AP - - - - - 15m- - - - - - - - - - - -Repeater - - - - - 7m- - - - - Desktop Client
With this setup the desktop client can see a strong 40-65% signal from the repeater. (2 brick walls in between but range is only 7m)
The AP is still visible and still fluctuates.

No connection to internet. I believe that it has to be a config setting but i cant figure it out. Channel is the same, WEP is the same, SSID is the same.

Eagerly awaiting any further replies. (JackMDS, anything you think i may be missing?)