Extend Wi-Fi Network: Simple Access Point Guide
Extending Wireless Networks with Access Points
Previously, we demonstrated methods for expanding your network wirelessly. This week, we will explore utilizing an existing wired network to efficiently and rapidly broaden your wireless coverage using straightforward access points.
Reader Questions and a Common Challenge
Following the publication of our guide, "How To Extend Your Wireless Network with Tomato-Powered Routers," we received numerous inquiries from readers seeking alternative methods for wireless network expansion. Bill articulated a concern shared by many:
I implemented your guide last Tuesday, and it functioned as described. However, the secondary router appears somewhat unstable. Is there a simpler approach to this technique than utilizing WDS with Tomato routers, as outlined in the tutorial? My home is equipped with Ethernet, but few devices currently use wired connections. What options are available? All my routers are running the latest TomatoUSB versions.
Without an existing LAN, we would suggest exploring alternative firmware options, such as DD-WRT, which supports true Wi-Fi repeating. Fortunately, Bill's pre-existing wired Ethernet LAN provides a more streamlined solution.
The Advantage of a Wired Backbone
When a wired network isn't available, wireless technology must be relied upon to connect access points, as demonstrated last week with WDS linking Tomato routers. However, a hardwired network significantly simplifies the process.
The Ethernet connection serves as a robust backbone, allowing secondary routers to function as simple access points with minimal configuration.
Benefits Over Mesh Networking
What advantages does this method offer compared to our previous tutorial? Our earlier guide detailed the creation of a Wi-Fi mesh network.
- While effective for networks lacking wired connections, mesh networks require extensive configuration.
- Wi-Fi mesh protocols can introduce latency and reduce overall bandwidth.
The technique we will now present simply adds wireless access points to available Ethernet ports on your wired LAN—eliminating complex configurations and intricate wireless protocols.
This approach provides a more stable and efficient way to extend your wireless network when a wired infrastructure is already in place.
Essential Requirements
This guide details the process of expanding your Wi-Fi network. To follow along, you will require a few key components.
- A functioning primary router is necessary.
- One or more additional routers will serve as secondary access points.
- Sufficient available Ethernet ports on the primary router, and a corresponding Ethernet cable for each secondary router, are also needed.
The necessary equipment is minimal. Notably, specialized firmware isn't strictly required for this setup.
While we will demonstrate using routers with Tomato firmware installed, nearly any standard Wi-Fi router can be utilized without needing to modify its firmware. This contrasts with other Wi-Fi guides that necessitate complex configuration of custom routers.
This tutorial focuses on adjusting the fundamental Wi-Fi access point settings on the secondary routers. No advanced router customization is needed.
Initiating the Process: Secondary Router Reset
To avoid any confusion, throughout this guide, the main router will be designated as the “Primary Router,” while the extending router will be referred to as the “Secondary Router.” This straightforward naming convention will help ensure settings are applied to the correct device.
While the instructions provided focus on TomatoUSB, the core principles are broadly applicable to most routers available today. Review the entire guide before proceeding, and then adapt the steps to align with the specific menu layout of your router.
Begin by resetting the Secondary Router, not the Primary Router, to establish a fresh configuration. Connect the Secondary Router directly to a computer using an Ethernet cable. Then, access Administration –> Configuration –> Restore Default Configuration and choose “Erase all data in NVRAM memory (thorough).” Confirm the action by clicking OK.
Following a complete reset in Tomato, the default username and password are both “admin.” It is crucial to immediately update this password by going to Administration -> Admin Access. Within this menu, two adjustments can be made.
First, modify the Tomato color scheme to easily differentiate between the primary installation and the secondary access point. This setting, labeled “Color Scheme” under Web Admin, is located near the top of the Admin Access page. A blue scheme was selected as an example.
To change the password, scroll to the bottom of the page and enter a new password in the designated field. Remember to click Save to apply your changes. Tomato will then prompt you to log in again using the username “admin” and your newly created password.
Configuring the Secondary Router
After resetting the Secondary Router and establishing a new password, the configuration process can begin. Only a limited number of adjustments are required for the Secondary Router, and these can all be implemented on a single page within TomatoUSB.
Within the Secondary Router’s GUI, navigate to Basic –> Network. Several minor modifications need to be made here. Initially, the WAN / Internet setting should be switched to Static. No further alterations are necessary within this particular subsection.
The Router IP Address must then be modified. Choose an address that is not identical to the Primary Router’s IP and is outside the range of addresses assigned by the Primary Router’s DHCP server, for example, 198.168.1.100-149. We opted to use 192.168.1.2 to signify it was the first secondary router connected to the network.
Input the IP address of your Primary Router into the first Static DNS slot. Disable the DHCP Server. To maintain simplicity and facilitate easy network-wide changes from the Primary Router, the Secondary Router—and any future access points—should rely on the Primary Router for DNS and DHCP assignments.
Next, consider the Wireless settings. Within this section, a few adjustments are required. First, verify that “Enable Wireless” is selected. Then, set Wireless Mode to “Access Point”. The Wireless Network Mode can remain on Auto, or a specific mode, such as G Only, can be enforced.
The SSID should match that of your other Wi-Fi access points, including the Primary Router. The security type, encryption type, and shared key should also be consistent. If you encounter difficulties during setup, assigning a unique SSID to the Secondary Router—like “wireless2”—can aid in signal testing and troubleshooting.
However, the only Wireless setting that should differ from the Primary Router is the Channel selection. Choosing a channel that doesn’t overlap with those used by the Primary Router is crucial to minimize interference. Consult the following chart to select a suitable channel:
For instance, if your Primary Router utilizes Channel 1, you can select Channel 6 or Channel 11 for your Secondary Router to ensure a clear channel. Here are some combinations for reference to maintain clear communication and allow for future access points:
- 1, 6, 11
- 2, 7, 12
- 3, 8, 13
After selecting an available channel, click Save to apply all changes to the Secondary Router. Once saved, disconnect the Secondary Router from the configuration computer and connect it to the intended Ethernet jack. Connect an Ethernet cable from the wall jack to a LAN port on the Secondary Router (avoid the WAN port). Power on the device. Your secondary access point should now be operational and accessible to nearby Wi-Fi devices. Additionally, the Secondary Router can function as a basic network switch, allowing Ethernet-dependent devices to connect to the remaining LAN ports.
This process can be repeated with additional routers, remembering to select a channel for each to minimize interference.