Expanding linksys wireless connection
There were many guide floating in the web about expanding Linksys router WRT54G using WAP54G, but I never found any site confirming that WRT54GC (Compact) can be expanded using WAP54G.
Yesterday I have a chance to test WAP54G whether it is can expand WiFi signal from WRT54GC instead of WRT54G as it written on the documentation. After playing with it for a while, the conclusion is yes it can.
Update Aug 15, 2008: If been trying to expand WRT54G (Version 7) pairing with WAP54G. Doesn’t seem working. I don’t quite sure why but maybe because it’s version 7. It’s internal hardware design is different from previous version (ie. less memory, can’t be installed with OpenWRT)
Check out the steps to do it on below.
These are some points that you need to pay attention of,
- WAP encryption is not supported, you have to fall back to WEP or no encryption at all.
- For both WRT54GC and WAP54G must use identical configuration (type of encryption and the WEP key).
- Use same SSID and channel.
- On WAP54G, set the AP mode as Wireless Repeater and set the MAC address from WRT54GC.
To get the MAC Address, from WRT54GC Admin Panel, Go to Status -> Wireless Network.
Then put in in WAP54G on
That’s all. Just follow the rule, restart your WAP54G and you are ready to go.