How do I make my wireless routers get along?

January 6, 2011 8:26 PM

Calling all network nerds: How do I make my WRT54G2 (w/ DD-WRT) talk to my Tenda W268R?

I've got two routers: a Linksys WRT54G2 with DD-WRT installed on it, and a Tenda W268R. The Linksys is currently connected to my cable modem and several wired stations in my bedroom. I want to the put the Tenga in the living room and connect my game consoles to it via ethernet. I also have a smattering of wireless devices that need access throughout the house.

I sort of understand how WDS works. Or maybe I don't! On the Linksys I have plugged in the wireless MAC from the Tenda and set it to "LAN." The Tenda's WDS page is a little more confusing for me. It has a dropdown box with three modes: Lazy Mode, Bridge Mode, and Repeater Mode. I've plugged the MAC of the Linksys into the Tenda on both Bridge and Repeater modes, but nada. I've tried just Lazy Mode, which doesn't ask for a MAC, but nada. I've checked the box on the Linksys that says Lazy Mode, but nada!

Is there something I'm missing, or am I just asking the impossible? I get the feeling this would be a lot easier with two DD-WRT compatible routers but the Tenda was on sale at Microcenter and I'm on a budget.

posted by richrad to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

Try using the dd-wrt as the wireless bridge. That's how I set it up at home. Instructions are here.
posted by empath at 8:39 PM on January 6, 2011

Best answer: This isnt WDS. You want to put the DDWRT box in Client Bridge mode. Use the Tenda as your main router. There's a document here that explains a lot of this.
posted by damn dirty ape at 9:05 PM on January 6, 2011

Response by poster: You got it, you damn dirty ape. That link helped a lot, but I had to read it very, very slowly.
posted by richrad at 11:20 PM on January 6, 2011