Wireless distribution system (WDS): Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 08:36, 21 October 2024

The information in this page is updated in accordance with 00.07.09.1 firmware version.

Introduction

Introduction

The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) enables access points to connect wirelessly within an IEEE 802.11 network, acting as a Layer 2 bridge, allowing the expansion of the wireless network through multiple access points without requiring a wired backbone. A key advantage of WDS is that it preserves the MAC addresses of client frames when transmitting between access points.

This article provides a detailed configuration example for setting up a basic WDS with two RUTxxx devices.

If you cannot locate some of the parameters described here in your device’s WebUI, make sure to enable Advanced WebUI Mode by clicking the “Advanced” button at the top of the WebUI.

Configuration overview and prerequisites

Before we begin, let's overview the configuration that we are attempting to achieve and the prerequisites that make it possible.

Prerequisites:

Two RUTxxx routers
Router's LANs should be in same subnet
An end device (PC, Laptop, Tablet, Smartphone)

Configuration scheme:

The diagram above depicts two RUTxxx routers: RUT1 and RUT2.

RUT1 is set to Access Point Mode with SSID: RUT_WiFi.
RUT2 is configured as a Client (AP) mode and connects to Wi-Fi with SSID: RUT_WiFi. RUT2’s DHCP server is disabled to allow devices connected to RUT2 to receive IP addresses from RUT1’s DHCP server via WDS.

This configuration effectively merges both routers into a single network, allowing seamless communication between devices.

Note: Parameters like LAN IP addresses and Wi-Fi SSIDs should be customized to meet your specific needs.

Router configuration

Once you've reviewed the configuration scheme and ensured all devices are prepared, you can begin configuring your routers by following the instructions below.

RUT1 Configuration

The RUT1 configuration is straightforward. Ensure the router has:

An active WiFi Access Point (AP) with WDS enabled
An active DHCP Server

To change the LAN IP address, log into the router's WebUI and navigate to Network → LAN → LAN Settings, then click the Edit button next to the LAN settings.

By default, RUTxxx routers have a Wi-Fi AP and DHCP server enabled. If you need to modify these settings, go to Network → DHCP → Server Settings and click Edit.

To configure the Wi-Fi AP, go to Network → Wireless → SSIDs, then click the Edit button for the desired wireless network.

Next, go to the Advanced Settings tab and enable WDS.

RUT2 Configuration

For RUT2, the key steps are:

Scan and connect to RUT1’s Wi-Fi Access Point
Change the network from auto (wifi0) to lan
Enable WDS in the Advanced Settings
Change the default IPv4 address to 192.168.10.2 and disable the DHCP server

NOTE: Follow these steps in the given order. Disabling RUT2's DHCP server first might cause loss of access to the router. Start by configuring Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi Configuration

To configure Wi-Fi, log into RUT2’s WebUI and navigate to Network → Wireless → SSIDs.

Click Scan to search for nearby Wi-Fi networks and connect to RUT1’s Access Point. You can choose to scan either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.

After the scan, select RUT1’s Access Point and click Join network.

Enter the Wi-Fi password or WPA passphrase for RUT1's Access Point.

In the Wireless Client Configuration window, change the Network setting to lan.

In the Advanced Settings tab, enable WDS.

LAN and DHCP Configuration

Once the Wi-Fi is configured, update the LAN settings. Go to Network → LAN, then click Edit.

After you clicked Edit button settings window will appear. Change IPv4 address and IPv4 netmask, disable DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 settings.

Change IPv4 address
Change IPv4 netmask
Disable DHCPv4
Disable DHCPv6
Save

Testing the Setup

Once the configuration is complete, it's essential to test it to ensure everything works as expected.

To test, log into either router and navigate to System → Maintenance → CLI. Log in with the username: root and the router’s admin password. Ping the other router or any connected device by typing ping <device_ip> in the console and pressing Enter:

Replace <devices_ip> with an actual IP address of a device that is in your network and if the ping requests are successful it means the configuration is working. You can check the IP addresses of the devices connected to your network in RUT1's Status → Routes section.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 <p style="color:red">The information in this page is updated in accordance with [https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/FW_%26_SDK_Downloads'''00.07.09.1'''] firmware version.</p>
 ==Introduction==
-Introduction
-Wireless distribution system (WDS) enables access points to connect wirelessly within an IEEE 802.11 network. This system allows the expansion of a wireless network through multiple access points without needing a wired backbone. A key advantage of WDS is its ability to maintain the MAC addresses of client frames when transmitting between access points.
+'''Introduction'''
-This article provides an extensive configuration example of a basic WDS usage scenario with two RUTxxx devices.
-If you're having trouble finding this page or some of the parameters described here on your device's WebUI, you should turn on '''"Advanced WebUI" mode.''' You can do that by clicking the "Advanced" button, located at the top of the WebUI.
+The Wireless Distribution System (WDS) enables access points to connect wirelessly within an IEEE 802.11 network, acting as a Layer 2 bridge, allowing the expansion of the wireless network through multiple access points without requiring a wired backbone. A key advantage of WDS is that it preserves the MAC addresses of client frames when transmitting between access points.
+This article provides a detailed configuration example for setting up a basic WDS with two RUTxxx devices.
+If you cannot locate some of the parameters described here in your device’s WebUI, make sure to enable '''Advanced WebUI Mode''' by clicking the “Advanced” button at the top of the WebUI.
 [[File:Networking_rutos_manual_webui_basic_advanced_mode_75.gif|border|center|class=tlt-border|1102x93px]]
 ----
@@ Line 21: / Line 25: @@
 [[File:WDS configuration topology.png|border|center|class=tlt-border|935x443px]]
-The scheme depicts two RUTxxx routers - RUT1 and RUT2. RUT1 is configured as Access Point Mode with SSID: RUT_WiFi. RUT2 is configured as Client mode (AP) and connected to Wi-Fi with SSID: RUT_WiFi. RUT2's DHCP Server is disabled. This is done so that the end devices connected to RUT2 get IP addresses from RUT1's DHCP Server with the help of WDS.
+The diagram above depicts two RUTxxx routers: RUT1 and RUT2.
-So in short, this type of configuration combines devices into a single network, allowing them to communicate with each other.
+* RUT1 is set to '''Access Point''' Mode with SSID: RUT_WiFi.
+* RUT2 is configured as a Client (AP) mode and connects to Wi-Fi with SSID: RUT_WiFi. RUT2’s DHCP server is disabled to allow devices connected to RUT2 to receive IP addresses from RUT1’s DHCP server via WDS.
+This configuration effectively merges both routers into a single network, allowing seamless communication between devices.
-'''NOTE''': the parameters displayed in the scheme above will be used in further examples of this guide. Parameters like LAN IP addresses and WiFi SSID should be chosen in accordance with your own needs.
+'''Note''': Parameters like LAN IP addresses and Wi-Fi SSIDs should be customized to meet your specific needs.
 ==Router configuration==
-If you have familiarized yourself with the configuration scheme and have all of the devices in order, you can start configuring your routers using instructions provided in this section.
+Once you've reviewed the configuration scheme and ensured all devices are prepared, you can begin configuring your routers by following the instructions below.
-===RUT1===
+===RUT1 Configuration===
 ----
-The configuration for RUT1 is fairly simple. You only need to make sure that the router has:
+The RUT1 configuration is straightforward. Ensure the router has:
 * An active WiFi Access Point (AP) with WDS enabled
 * An active DHCP Server
-If you need to change the ip lan by logging in to the router's WebUI and visiting  the  '''Network →  lan → lan settings''' click '''Edit''' button on the right side of interface for lan settings.
+To change the LAN IP address, log into the router's WebUI and navigate to '''Network → LAN → LAN Settings''', then click the '''Edit''' button next to the LAN settings.
 [[File:WDS configuration lan edit.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-A WiFi Access Point (AP) and DHCP Server are enabled by default on RUTxxx routers, but if you wish to make changes, you can find the configuration pages for the services in Network → DHCP → Server settings click Edit button on the right side of interface for DHCP settings.
+By default, RUTxxx routers have a Wi-Fi AP and DHCP server enabled. If you need to modify these settings, go to '''Network → DHCP → Server Settings''' and click '''Edit'''.
 [[File:WDS configuration dhcp edit.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-Got to '''Network → Wireless → SSIDs''' section and click Edit button on the right side of a wireless network for WiFi settings.
+To configure the Wi-Fi AP, go to '''Network → Wireless → SSIDs''', then click the '''Edit''' button for the desired wireless network.
 [[File:RutOS Relay WIFI extender 7.8 wifi edit.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-Go to the '''Advanced Settings''' tab and turn on '''WDS'''.
+Next, go to the '''Advanced Settings''' tab and enable '''WDS'''.
 [[File:WDS configuration enable wds_1.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-===RUT2===
+===RUT2 Configuration===
 ----
-The key things you need to configure in RUT2 are:
-*	Scan WiFi  and connect to RUT1  WiFi Access Point
-*	Change network from auto(wifi0) to lan
-*	Enable WDS in Advanced Settings
-*	Change default IPv4 address to 192.168.10.2 and  Disable DHCP server
-'''NOTE''': in this case, the steps should be taken in the order they are presented in, because if you disable RUT2's DHCP Server first, you may lose access to your router. So let's begin by setting up WiFi.
+For RUT2, the key steps are:
+*	Scan and connect to RUT1’s Wi-Fi Access Point
+*	Change the network from ''auto (wifi0)'' to ''lan''
+*	Enable WDS in the '''Advanced Settings'''
+*	Change the default IPv4 address to ''192.168.10.2'' and disable the DHCP server
-====WiFi====
+'''NOTE''': Follow these steps in the given order. Disabling RUT2's DHCP server first might cause loss of access to the router. Start by configuring Wi-Fi.
+====Wi-Fi Configuration====
 ----
-* To set up WiFi, login to the router's WebUI and navigate to the Network section found the Wireless tab by side ('''Network → Wireless → SSIDs''')
-----
+* To configure Wi-Fi, log into RUT2’s WebUI and navigate to '''Network → Wireless → SSIDs'''.
-* To begin configuring WiFi Client first click the 'Scan' button to scan the surrounding area and attempt to connect to a new wireless access point. You can choose whether to scan '''2.4 GHz''' or '''5 GHz''' wireless networks:
+* Click '''Scan''' to search for nearby Wi-Fi networks and connect to RUT1’s Access Point. You can choose to scan either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz band.
 [[File:RutOS Relay WIFI extender 7.8 wifi scan.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-* Once the scan is complete, you will be presented with a list of nearby WiFi Access Points. Locate and choose RUT1's Access Point and click "Join network":
+* After the scan, select RUT1’s Access Point and click '''Join network'''.
 [[File:RutOS Relay WIFI extender 7.8 wifi scan connect.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-* You will be redirected again to following window, where you will need to enter '''WPA passphrase''' or other security password depending on AP that you are connecting to.
+* Enter the Wi-Fi password or WPA passphrase for RUT1's Access Point.
 [[File:RutOS Relay WIFI extender 7.8 wifi scan connect join.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-* Next window that opens will be Wireless client Configuration. Values there, mostly, should be left unchanged to avoid connection problems, because they are dictated by Access Point. Next window that opens will be Wireless client Configuration. Values there, mostly, should be left unchanged to avoid connection problems, because they are dictated by Access Point. The only thing you need to change is to select '''lan''' in '''network''':
+* In the Wireless Client Configuration window, change the '''Network setting''' to ''lan''.
 [[File:WDS configuration wifi client interface.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-Go to the '''Advanced Settings''' tab and turn on '''WDS'''.
+* In the '''Advanced Settings''' tab, enable '''WDS'''.
 [[File:WDS configuration enable wds_1.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-* After we configured WiFi settings, we will need to change lan IPv4 address and disable DHCP settings on our LAN interface. Go to '''Network → LAN''' and click on the button '''Edit''':
+====LAN and DHCP Configuration====
+----
+* Once the Wi-Fi is configured, update the LAN settings. Go to '''Network → LAN''', then click '''Edit'''.
 [[File:WDS configuration lan client edit_1.png|border|1100x1100px]]
 * After you clicked Edit button settings window will appear. Change IPv4 address and IPv4 netmask, disable DHCPv4 and DHCPv6 settings.
@@ Line 100: / Line 134: @@
 [[File:WDS configuration lan client edit.png|border|1100x1100px]]
-==Testing the set up==
-If you've taken all of the steps described above, the configuration is done. But as with any other configuration, it is always wise to test the set up in order to make sure that it works properly. To test this particular set up, login to any of the routers go to '''System → Maintenance → CLI'''. Login with user name: root and the router's admin password. You should then be able to '''ping''' the other router or any of the end devices that you have connected to either of the two routers. To execute a ping command, type '''ping <devices_ip>''' into the console and press the Enter key:
+==Testing the Setup==
+Once the configuration is complete, it's essential to test it to ensure everything works as expected.
+To test, log into either router and navigate to '''System → Maintenance → CLI'''. Log in with the username: ''root'' and the router’s admin password. Ping the other router or any connected device by typing ''ping <device_ip>'' in the console and pressing Enter:
 [[File:WDS configuration pinging example.png]]
-Replace <devices_ip> with an actual IP address of a device that is in your network and if the ping requests are successful it means the configuration is working. You can check the IP addresses of the devices connected to your network in RUT1's Status → Routes section.
+Replace ''<devices_ip>'' with an actual IP address of a device that is in your network and if the ping requests are successful it means the configuration is working. You can check the IP addresses of the devices connected to your network in RUT1's Status → Routes section.