Extend Wireless Network with Tomato Routers - Guide
Extending Your Wireless Network with Tomato Firmware
Are you experiencing limited range with your Wi-Fi signal? This guide will demonstrate how to broaden your wireless network's coverage by utilizing routers that operate with Tomato firmware.
Previously, we detailed the process of expanding network reach using routers equipped with DD-WRT. Following that article, numerous readers requested instructions for achieving the same result with Tomato routers.
Tomato vs. DD-WRT for Network Extension
While some users were willing to transition to DD-WRT, a preference for remaining with Tomato was frequently expressed. Although Tomato lacks a direct equivalent to DD-WRT’s repeater mode, connecting two Tomato routers is readily achievable with minimal configuration effort.
It’s important to note that the implementation differs slightly between the two firmware options. We will focus specifically on the Tomato configuration process.
Configuration Steps
Linking two Tomato routers together can be completed in just a few minutes. The following steps will guide you through the necessary settings to effectively extend your wireless network.
This method provides a practical solution for those who prefer the Tomato interface and functionality. It allows for a seamless expansion of your existing wireless coverage.
Essential Requirements
This tutorial necessitates only a few items to complete successfully. The following components will be required:
- A pair of Wi-Fi routers, each running Tomato firmware.
- An Ethernet cable (optional, but recommended).
These are the only prerequisites! While not strictly necessary, utilizing an Ethernet cable for initial configuration and adjustments is highly advised. This prevents potential disruptions to your wireless connection should any issues arise during the setup process.
Detailed instructions for installing Tomato firmware are beyond the scope of this guide; however, a previous installation guide is available for reference.
Before proceeding, it’s important to understand a distinction from a previous guide utilizing DD-WRT. That guide detailed configuring a router as a Wi-Fi repeater. Tomato, and its variant TomatoUSB, currently lack the necessary software for a true repeating function. Tomato incorporates a network extension feature known as Wireless Distribution System (WDS). Further technical details regarding WDS can be found on its Wikipedia page here.
A key difference between a dedicated repeater setup (as outlined in the DD-WRT guide) and a WDS node lies in potential performance degradation. WDS experiences a reduction in speed with each wireless hop. Consider a scenario where a laptop in a bedroom connects to the WDS node, which then connects to the main router in an office, and finally to a network drive attached to that office router. The theoretical Wi-Fi transmission speed could be halved.
Despite this potential drawback, the impact is often negligible in real-world use. Unless transferring very large files wirelessly – an impractical task in many cases – the speed reduction is unlikely to be noticeable. The benefits of extended signal range from the secondary node far outweigh this minor performance compromise for typical web browsing and small file transfers.
Beyond extending Wi-Fi coverage, the secondary router, once configured in WDS mode, can also serve as a wired connection point. For instance, you could position the secondary router near a network printer or a computer lacking Wi-Fi capability, effectively using it as a Wi-Fi to Ethernet bridge.
Should the performance impact of WDS prove unacceptable, reverting to DD-WRT and configuring the secondary node as a full repeater remains a viable option.
Configuring Your Primary Router and Node: A Getting Started Guide
To avoid any potential misunderstandings, we will refer to the router directly connected to your internet service as the Primary Router. The router being configured as a network extender will be designated as the Node. Carefully identifying which administrative interface you are modifying is crucial, despite the straightforward nature of these instructions.
These instructions assume you have two routers, each running Tomato firmware, and both are powered on and connected.
Begin by accessing the administrative interface of the Node. Utilizing an Ethernet cable at this stage is highly recommended. A direct wired connection will override any conflicting default settings between the Node and the Primary Router.
Within the Node’s administration panel, go to Administration –> Admin Access –> Color Scheme. Select a different color scheme for the Node. The default Tomato scheme is simply “Tomato”. We suggest changing it to “Blue”. This seemingly minor adjustment will significantly reduce the risk of applying settings to the incorrect device during the configuration process.
Furthermore, while in the Admin Access sub-menu, consider changing the default password for enhanced security. Remember to click Save to apply your changes.
Once the color scheme and password have been updated, you can proceed to configure the Node as a WDS access point. Navigate to Basic –> Network on the Node. A checklist may be helpful to track the numerous settings that need adjustment, preventing frustrating troubleshooting later.
Within the Network sub-menu of the Node, adjust the following settings sequentially. First, disable the WAN / Internet connection. Next, modify the LAN section with these values:
- Router IP Address: 192.168.1.2 (assuming your Primary Router uses 192.168.1.1)
- Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
- Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (the IP address of your Primary Router)
- Static DNS: 192.168.1.1 (You can also use your ISP’s DNS server addresses)
- DCHP Server: Ensure this is unchecked.
In the Wireless section of the Network sub-menu on the Node, configure these settings:
- Enable Wireless: Checked.
- Wireless Mode: Access Point + WDS
- Wireless Network Mode: G Only
- SSID: Use the SSID of your Primary Router, such as linksys or wireless.
- Broadcast: Checked.
- Channel: Match the channel of your Primary Router, for example, 6 – 2.437.
- Security: WPA Personal (the most secure option compatible with WDS)
- Encryption: AES
- Shared Key: Enter the Wi-Fi password used by your Primary Router’s security settings.
- Group Key Renewal: 3600
- WDS: Link With…
- MAC Address: Enter the Wi-Fi MAC address of your Primary Router in the first slot.
Remember to click Save to finalize these changes.
Now, access the administrative panel of the Primary Router to complete the setup. Log in and navigate to Basic –> Network, mirroring the step taken on the Node. To minimize confusion and protect your existing Primary Router configuration, only the WDS-specific changes are detailed here.
Scroll down to the Wireless section within Network and toggle the following settings:
- Wireless Mode: Access Point + WDS
- Wireless Network Mode: G Only
- WDS: Link With…
- MAC Address: Enter the Wi-Fi MAC address of your Node in the first slot.
If you modified the security or encryption settings on the Node in the previous step, ensure those same settings are replicated on the Primary Router. Click Save.
With the changes saved on both the Primary Router and the Node, your network extension should now be operational. Position the Node at the periphery of your current wireless range, such as upstairs or across the house, and enjoy an improved Wi-Fi signal.