LaFonera Software Client-Mode

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Contents

Client Mode

Client Mode can be used on the La Fonera to turn it from a router receiving a network connection through it's WAN RJ45 port (from a host router or modem), to a wireless adapter receiving a network connection through it's wireless interface (from a host router). You can then plug a device (Laptop, PC, Games console, etc) in to the RJ-45 port of the Fonera that connects the device to the network of the host router (albeit a separate subnet), allowing access to any internet connection or network file shares on that network. A virtual wireless AP can also be added to the Fonera to allow devices to connect to the Fonera wirelessly instead of by cable (again, still with a separate subnet but allowing the same features of wired devices).

In other words, the Fonera acts as a portable network port, only needing a power cable, allowing connections to your network and internet connection. It can also act as the source of a new wireless network with separate SSID.

Separate Guides

Information in this guide was originally gained from Joksi's Client Mode info on the DD-WRT forums, and Dltv's Client Mode guide. Both contain shorter versions of the following info which you may find more useful if you know what you're doing.

Thanks to both for the help, and thanks to Dltv for many of the images used in the guide.

Requirements

The following instructions assume you are using the following:

1. A host router with an internet connection and wireless capability, preferably using DD-WRT firmware but by no means compulsory.

2. A La Fonera using DD-WRT firmware 03/10 or 03/23 revision. Most later revisions should work, but none have been tested for this guide.

3. The La Fonera must be in range of the wireless signal broadcast by the host router.

Quick Setup

Only use the following quick setup instructions if you know what you're doing. All other settings than those mentioned are assumed to be at default.

1. With the Fonera in DHCP Internet Connection mode, change the Fonera's Local IP to a subnet other than that of the host router (Eg. Host = 192.168.1.1, Fonera = 192.168.2.1).

2. Change the Fonera's Wireless settings to the same channel, SSID and encryption as those on the host router. Then change the Wireless mode to Client.

3. You should now be able to connect directly to the Fonera's ethernet socket. View the wireless status page, click site survey and join the host router's SSID.

4. If successful, the routers should show in each others wireless connections list, and the Fonera should gain a WAN IP from the host router.

5. You may now create a Virtual wireless interface if required.


Host Router Settings

The host router is the main router you want your La Fonera to connect to as a client. It is likely the router you use to connect to the internet with, and connect other wired / wireless PCs to.

Test router is a Linksys WRT54GL version 1.1 using DD-WRT firmware 03/05/07 (5th March 07), labeled 03/04/07 in web setup pages. Also tested with a separate La Fonera as host.

Other routers should work fine, basically as long as their wireless interface is set up and you know the SSID and encryption method for it, and you know the main IP of the router, the following should work.

Start from default settings (Admin > Factory Defaults > Yes > Save, or hold reset button for ~ 30 secs). All settings other than those mentioned can be assumed to be at default. Changing many of them should not affect the guide.


==== Setup > Basic Setup ====
Host Basic Setup. Note that in this case, an IP of 192.168.2.1 is being used.
Host Basic Setup. Note that in this case, an IP of 192.168.2.1 is being used.

Internet Connection Type: Whatever gets you connected to the internet.

Optional Settings: Anything you like, though my MTU = 1492.


Local IP: 192.168.X.Y, where X and Y are anything between 1 and 255, though note that X must be different in the La Fonera settings.

Subnet: 255.255.255.0, though others will work as long as you have identical settings in the La Fonera.

Gateway