TechInfoDepot:Tomato/Linking Routers

In this tutorial, we will discuss different alternatives for linking routers in order to create wifi networks.

Options

Access Point / Switch

Extend the Wireless access area using more routers, with wired connections between routers, or turn a wired port on an existing network into a Wireless Access Point. All computers will be on the same network segment, and will be able to see one another in Windows Network.

• Wireless Access Point - Extend Wi-Fi & LAN (Requires physical Ethernet connection between routers)
• Switch - Similar config as WAP, but radio disabled (accepts only wired connections)

Wireless Client / Wireless Ethernet Bridge

Connect two wired networks using a WiFi link.

• Wireless Ethernet Bridge - Join two wired networks by two Wireless routers building a bridge. All computers can see one another in Windows Network.
• Wireless Client - Join two wired networks by two Wireless routers (unbridged). Computers on one wired network can not see computers on other wired network in Windows Network.

WDS

Extend the Wireless access area using more routers. Extra routers does not need any wired connections. WDS is a mesh network.

• Access Point + WDS
• WDS